Vehicle power system

Abstract

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.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A vehicle comprising:
 an electric machine configured to generate motive power for the vehicle;   a traction battery having positive and negative terminals, and configured to provide energy to the machine;   a solar panel array; and   a first switch having a maximum current carrying capability less than 5 Amps electrically connected between the array and one of the positive and negative terminals of the battery.   
     
     
         2 . The vehicle of  claim 1  further comprising a second switch having a maximum current carrying capability less than 5 Amps electrically connected between the array and the other of the positive and negative terminals of the battery. 
     
     
         3 . The vehicle of  claim 2  further comprising a resistor and a third switch electrically connected to (i) one of the positive and negative terminals of the traction battery and (ii) the array through the resistor. 
     
     
         4 . The vehicle of  claim 2  further comprising a capacitor electrically connected to the first and second switches. 
     
     
         5 . The vehicle of  claim 2  further comprising a diode electrically connected between the array and one of the first and second switches. 
     
     
         6 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the array includes output terminals, further comprising a capacitor electrically connected to the output terminals. 
     
     
         7 . The vehicle of  claim 1  further comprising a multiple power point tracker electrically connected to the array. 
     
     
         8 . A vehicle comprising:
 an electric machine configured to generate motive power for the vehicle;   a traction battery configured to provide energy to the machine;   a solar panel array; and   circuitry electrically connected with the battery and array, and including at least one switch configured to close when activated by no more than 1 Watt maximum holding power to permit energy to flow from the array to the battery.   
     
     
         9 . The vehicle of  claim 8  wherein the circuitry further includes a second switch configured to close when activated by no more than 1 Watt maximum holding power to permit energy to flow from the array to the battery. 
     
     
         10 . The vehicle of  claim 9  wherein the circuitry further includes a resistor and a third switch electrically connected to the battery and the array through the resistor. 
     
     
         11 . The vehicle of  claim 9  wherein the circuitry further includes a capacitor electrically connected to the first and second switches. 
     
     
         12 . The vehicle of  claim 9  wherein the circuitry further includes a diode electrically connected between the array and one of the first and second switches. 
     
     
         13 . The vehicle of  claim 8 , wherein the array includes output terminals, further comprising a capacitor electrically connected to the output terminals. 
     
     
         14 . The vehicle of  claim 8  further comprising a multiple power point tracker electrically connected to the array. 
     
     
         15 . A power system for a vehicle comprising:
 a traction battery;   an electric machine configured to convert electrical energy from the traction battery to mechanical energy to move the vehicle;   a plurality of switches configured to electrically connect the battery and machine when closed;   power source output terminals; and   another plurality of switches configured to electrically connect the battery and output terminals when closed.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein at least one of the another plurality of switches has a maximum current carrying capability less than 5 Amps. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15  wherein at least one of the another plurality of switches is configured to close when activated by no more than 1 Watt maximum holding power.