I need to know if this is breaching a Patent.

Question

For school, I am planning a a Solar Array for the roof a vehicle such as a Pickup Truck or Van. My idea is similar to an existing patent, Patent Publication Number 20180175785, however my idea is smaller in size, by more than half, and designed for a different purpose, renewable energy generation for mobile living. Is that enough of a change to qualify this as a separate invention?

Liliana Di Nola-Baron · Answer

The issue is how different is your invention from other products claimed in patents and patent applications,  or disclosed in the literature. You should consult a patent attorney to assist you with a patentability evaluation of your product.

Kevin E. Flynn · Answer

Whether your new design might obtain a patent is a serious question that is contingent on a lot of details.  Not suitable for a comments on a web site.  You need to talk to a patent attorney.   
 
You also need to talk to the patent attorney on whether your proposed device would infringe the issued claims from the cited published application.  https://patents.google.com/patent/US10790778B2/en?oq=20180175785  This is true 
 
It is fairly rare that making something somewhat smaller will get you a patent unless it was previously impossible to make something that small (normally those inventions have  nano describing the dimensions).  It is very rare that using something for its intended purpose with a different set of consumers would give you traction towards getting a patent.  Normally, the key is on the features found in the product.  
 
I hope that this helps.  
Kevin E Flynn

Marcos Garciaacosta · Answer

Great answers here. 
You need to invest in a consultation with an attorney to analyze your case and provide options. 
If it is a oneoff design, your risk may be low, but you may be stepping in many people's intellectual property with your project.

Q: I need to know if this is breaching a Patent.