Interesting Patent Applications

[omgwtfbyobbq]

Tesla had some more patent applications pop up on the USPTO website, and three of those in particular seemed interesting enough to share.

The first appears to be for a sunroof with electrochromic tint and user configurable LEDs that direct light to scattering centers embedded in the glass that direct the light down into the cabin. I'm hoping this makes it into the S/X and 3 eventually, especially when there's a redesigned.

An advanced sunroof lighting system includes a sunroof having a first transparent layer and a second transparent layer substantially parallel to the first transparent layer. The sunroof also comprises a tint layer disposed between the first transparent layer and the second transparent layer. The tint layer is electrically controllable to allow a portion of light incident on the tint layer to pass through the tint layer. The sunroof further comprises a transparent lighting layer disposed between the tint layer and the second transparent layer. The transparent lighting layer comprises a plurality of light sources that are electrically controllable to emit light. The transparent lighting layer further comprises a plurality of scattering centers configured to redirect light received from the plurality of light sources towards the vehicle's cabin.

United States Patent Application: 0190106055

The second is for an efficient heat pump system. I'm guessing the S, X, and Y will get this, but I'm not sure if the 3 will have enough room for it.

A vehicle thermal management system includes a vehicle heat pump system, a battery system coolant loop, a drive train coolant loop, and control electronics. The vehicle heat pump system includes a compressor, a cabin condenser, a cabin evaporator, a cabin blower, and a chiller. The battery system coolant loop is in thermal communication with a battery system and with the chiller and selectively in thermal communication with the drive train coolant loop. The control electronics control the components of the vehicle thermal management system to heat the cabin, cool the cabin, heat the battery system, cool the battery system, and cool the drive train. The control electronics may control the compressor to operate in an efficient mode or a lossy mode in which the compressor generates heat. The control electronics may also control the components of the vehicle thermal management system to precondition the battery.

United States Patent Application: 0190070924

Last but not least is a patent on managing Tesla PV panels and powerwalls in different residences that are directly connected together and connected to the grid.

A device for managing power flow, comprising: an electrical cable configured to connect a first electrical system to a second electrical system independent of connections to a power grid; a memory configured to store computer-executable instructions; and a processor configured to access the memory and execute the computer-executable instructions to at least: in accordance with a determination that a first excess amount of power is identified via a comparison between power generated by a power generation device of the first electrical system to a first amount of power drawn by the first electrical system: identify that the second electrical system has a deficit amount of power; configure the electrical cable to allow power flow to the second electrical system; and control a first flow of the first excess amount of power over the electrical cable from the first electrical system to the second electrical system based at least in part on the deficit amount of the power; and in accordance with a determination that an insufficient amount of power is identified via the comparison between the power generated by the power generation device of the first electrical system to the first amount of the power drawn by the first electrical system: identify that the second electrical system has a second excess amount of power; request a second flow of the second excess amount of power over the electrical cable from the second electrical system to the first electrical system; and receive the second flow of the power over the electrical cable from the second electrical system based at least in part on the insufficient amount of power.

United States Patent Application: 0190097427

This in particular seems interesting because it would allow both households to get the benefits of both devices even if each household only had a single type of device installed.

 

[Kuhz]

That sunroof system sounds nice

 

[Barklikeadog]

1. *don't overengineer a part that can break easily and you already have an issue repairing in a decent amount of time.
2. *stop overengineering! stick with what works
3. ok

 

[StealthP3D]

1. *don't overengineer a part that can break easily and you already have an issue repairing in a decent amount of time.
2. *stop overengineering! stick with what works
3. ok

That's ridiculous advice.

Tesla would not be where there are today if they didn't push the boundaries of what's possible. And electrically tinted glass is solid state and very reliable. Being able to vary the tint would be a big benefit and the flexibility to direct the lighting from the optimal spot, without obstructing the view through the skylight, is a great idea. The products of the future will be highly engineered to perform at a high level and be very reliable. Tesla seems to get this. Produced in volume, none of this adds significant expense to the vehicle.