Vehicle power system

摘要

A vehicle may include an electric machine, a traction battery, and a solar panel array. The vehicle may further include circuitry electrically connected with the battery and array. The circuitry may include at least one switch configured to close when activated by a calibrated maximum holding power to permit energy to flow from the array to the battery.

主权项

1. A vehicle comprising:
an electric machine; a traction battery including positive and negative end terminals having a voltage of at least 200 volts thereacross at a particular state of charge and configured to provide energy to the electric machine; a solar panel array including a number of solar cells arranged to have an output voltage of at least 200 volts at a standard solar irradiance of 1,000 watts per meter, wherein the number is based on the voltage of the fraction battery at the particular state of charge and wherein an area of each of the cells is based on the number and a target maximum power for the cell; and first and second switches each having a maximum current carrying capability less than 5 Amps, wherein the first switch is electrically connected between the solar panel array and the positive end terminal and the second switch is electrically connected between the solar panel array and the negative end terminal such that the switches, when closed, electrically connect the solar panel array to the traction battery to trickle charge the traction battery without a boost converter.