Solar-powered protective car charging cover
View Patent ↗A system for a solar-powered protective car charging cover. The solar-powered car charging cover is designed to directly trickle charge electric cars by bypassing the internal charging power supply whilst also providing a protective barrier around the vehicle. This trickle charge provides enough power for charging cellular phones, powering lights, and other small electronics without further draining the battery and may even produce a net-positive charge to charge the vehicle's batteries. The barrier portion is a multi-layer cover with an adjustable-rigid air bladder layer sandwiched between an outer solar-panel layer and an inner vehicle paint protection layer. Zippered portions provide multiple configurations including using the solar-powered car charging cover without a vehicle for a make-shift tent with solar-powered charging ports. A power control box provides the means to connect external power sources to the solar-powered car charging cover.
1. A system for protecting and charging electric vehicles, comprising:
a multi-layered vehicle cover comprising:
a first outer most layer constructed of a durable weatherproof material;
a second middle layer constructed of a network of inflatable tubes;
a third inner most layer constructed of a durable material;
a solar panel array attached to the first outer most layer;
wherein one or more wires of the solar panel array are routed through the second middle layer to a charge controller; and
an electronics compartment comprising a pouch;
wherein the pouch comprises a plastic enclosure or a metal enclosure that houses the charge controller, a charging cable, and an air pump;
wherein the plastic enclosure or a metal enclosure comprises an opening to connect the one or more wires to the charge controller and the network of inflatable tubes to the air pump;
wherein the charge controller provides power to the charging cable and the air pump;
wherein the air pump inflates the second middle layer; and
wherein the electronics compartment is accessible from both the outside and the inside of the multi-layered vehicle cover through removable flaps.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the solar panel array comprises flexible solar panels capable of being rolled or folded.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the solar panel array is detachable.
4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the detachable solar panel array completes the circuit to the charge controller using a pair of dual contact pads on the back of the solar panel array and the top of the first outer most layer.
5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the wires of the solar panel array are routed in-between the first and second layers.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the wires of the solar panel array are routed in-between the first and second layers.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the electronics compartment comprises a battery pack charged by the charge controller.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the battery pack provides extra charge when needed.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the electronics compartment comprises an inverter for supplying alternating current.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the electronics compartment further comprises charging ports on the front side, backside, or both.
11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the multi-layer car cover further comprises an opening on either side for vehicle mirrors to protrude though.
12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the openings may be sealed closed by fastening a cover along the edge of the opening.
13. The system of claim 1 , wherein quarter panels of the multi-layer car cover are detachable.
14. The system of claim 12 , wherein the edges of the multi-layer car cover can be fastened together after a detachable quarter panel has been removed.
15. The system of claim 1 , wherein a plurality of grommets exists along the perimeter of the bottom edge of the multi-layer car cover.
16. The system of claim 1 , wherein the multi-layer car cover is inflated without a vehicle inside and is rigid enough to hold its form and stand on its own.