Electric propulsion system with regenerator for vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a propulsion system (10), for a vehicle, comprising at least one electric motor (21, 22), and a reduction gear (30), the reduction gear (30) being coupled to at least one motor (21, 22), directly or indirectly, the system comprising a regenerative element (50). Abstract figure: Figure 5

Description

Title of the invention: Electric propulsion system with regenerator for vehicle

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of vehicles, in particular trailer or motor vehicle type vehicles, and more specifically aims at an electric propulsion system for driving the wheels of such vehicles.

[0002] The electric propulsion system in a motor vehicle aims to rotate at least one wheel of the vehicle, by transmitting the torque supplied by a drive shaft, in particular electric or hybrid.

[0003] Electric propulsion systems using an electric motor are already known. Such systems are formed by at least two motors and a reducer. Such a system is a source of heat which is not recovered.

[0004] The present invention therefore aims to overcome one or more of the drawbacks of the systems of the prior art by proposing an improved electric propulsion system.

[0005] For this purpose, the present invention proposes a propulsion system for a vehicle, comprising at least one electric motor and a reducer, the reducer being coupled to at least one motor, directly or indirectly, the system comprising a regenerative element.

[0006] This regenerative element thus makes it possible to recover the heat from the operation of the motors and reducers and to transform it into electrical energy. This energy makes it possible to power the elements of the system or other elements of the vehicle.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the invention, the regenerative element is a regenerator or a device made of thermoelectric material.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the invention, the regenerative element makes it possible to transform the heat emitted by the system into electricity.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, the indirect coupling is achieved with a belt, a gear or any other type of coupling adapted to the operation of the system.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, the propulsion system is formed by a first motor coupled directly to a first shaft of the reducer and a second motor coupled directly to a second shaft of the reducer.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the propulsion system is formed by a first motor directly coupled to a first shaft of the reducer and a second motor indirectly coupled to a second shaft of the reducer.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the propulsion system is formed by a first motor indirectly coupled to a first shaft of the reducer and a second motor indirectly coupled to the same first shaft of the reducer.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the propulsion system is formed by a first motor directly coupled to a first shaft of the reducer and at least one second motor indirectly coupled to the same first shaft of the reducer.

[0014] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising a propulsion system according to the invention, the vehicle being for example a trailer.

[0015] Other aims, characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood and will appear more clearly on reading the description given below, with reference to the appended figures, given by way of example and in which: - [Fig.l] is a representation of a motorization system according to a first embodiment of the invention, - [Fig.2] is a representation of a motorization system according to another embodiment of the invention, - [Fig.3] is a representation of a motorization system according to another embodiment of the invention, - [Fig.4] is a representation of a motorization system according to another embodiment of the invention, - [Fig.5] is a representation of a motorization system according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0016] The invention, illustrated [Fig.l], relates to a propulsion system 10 for a vehicle. The present invention is aimed in particular at use in a motor vehicle but also at use in any rolling land vehicle intended for the transport of passengers or goods, light, intermediate or heavy, construction machinery or agricultural machinery, trailers or caravans. In the context of the invention, a propulsion system is a system which makes it possible to propel and comprises the elements making it possible to transmit the power from the engine to the wheel.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the system 10 is fixed to an axle, and for example a trailer or caravan axle.

[0018] In the context of the invention illustrated [Fig.5], the system comprises a regenerative element 50. This element is a regenerator or a device made of thermoelectric material making it possible to transform heat into electricity. This regenerative element thus makes it possible to recover the heat from the operation of the motors and reducer and to transform it into electrical energy. This energy makes it possible to power the elements of the system 10 or other elements of the vehicle.

[0019] The propulsion system 10 comprises at least two motors 21, 22 and a reducer 30, for transmitting the torque. The two motors 21, 22 are electric motors.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the two motors 21, 22 are cooled by a cooling fluid which is air or liquid, and for example water.

[0021] The system is controlled by an electronic assembly not illustrated comprising the elements necessary for the operation of the system 10.

[0022] In the context of the invention, the reducer 30 is coupled to the two motors 21, 22, directly or indirectly. According to one embodiment of the invention, the indirect coupling 41, 42 is achieved with a belt 41, 42, a gear 41, 42 or any other type of coupling suitable for the operation of the system 10.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the two motors are not coupled in the same way to the reducer.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the two motors 21, 22 are arranged on the same side or distributed all around the reducer. This makes it possible to adapt the system for optimal integration into the vehicle environment.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the reducer comprises a first shaft 31 and a second shaft 32.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first shaft 31 is the primary shaft and the second shaft 32 is an intermediate shaft.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second shaft 32 is the primary shaft and the first shaft 31 is an intermediate shaft.

[0028] The electric motors 21, 22 via the reducer 4 thus make it possible to drive at least one wheel in rotation. The reducer allows the application of a reduction ratio to the motor: it will reduce the output speed of the motor while increasing the torque to adapt to the operating requirements.

[0029] According to an embodiment of the invention illustrated [Fig.l], the system is formed by a first motor 21 coupled directly to a first shaft 31 of the reducer and a second motor 22 coupled directly to a second shaft 32 of the reducer 30. The two motors 21, 22 are arranged on either side of the reducer 30 or on the same side.

[0030] The absence of a belt simplifies the propulsion system, and limits operating problems linked to deterioration of the belt.

[0031] According to another embodiment of the invention illustrated [Fig.2], the system is formed by a first motor 21 directly coupled to a first shaft 31 of the reducer and a second motor 22 indirectly coupled 42 to a second shaft 32 of the reducer 30. The two motors 21, 22 are arranged on either side of the reducer 30 or on the same side.

[0032] According to another embodiment of the invention illustrated [Fig.3], the system is formed by a first motor 21 indirectly coupled 41 to a first shaft 31 of the reducer and a second motor 22 indirectly coupled 42 to the same first shaft 31 of the reducer 30. The two motors 21, 22 are arranged on either side of the reducer 30 or on the same side.

[0033] According to another embodiment of the invention illustrated [Fig.4], the system is formed by a first motor 21 directly coupled to a first shaft 31 of the reducer and at least one second motor 22 indirectly coupled 42 to the same first shaft 31 of the reducer 30. The two motors 21, 22 are arranged on the same side of the reducer 30.

[0034] According to another embodiment of the invention illustrated [Fig.5], the system comprises a regenerative element 50. This element is a regenerator or a device made of thermoelectric material making it possible to transform heat into electricity. This regenerative element thus makes it possible to recover the heat from the operation of the motors and reducer and to transform it into electrical energy. This energy makes it possible to power the elements of the system 10 or other elements of the vehicle.

[0035] Such a propulsion system 1 is used to electrify vehicles of the trailer, caravan, truck type, with rigid axle.

[0036] Such a propulsion system 1 according to the invention thus makes it possible to have a higher power propulsion system by combining several motors. It also makes it possible to optimize the operating points of the various electric motors associated with the reducer.

[0037] The invention also relates to the use of the propulsion system according to the invention in a vehicle, and for example a motor vehicle or a trailer.

[0038] The scope of the present invention is not limited to the details given above and allows embodiments in many other specific forms without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the present embodiments should be considered by way of illustration, and may be modified without departing from the scope defined by the claims.

Claims

Claims

1. Propulsion system (10), for vehicle, comprising at least one electric motor (21, 22), and a reducer (30), the reducer (30) being coupled to at least one motor (21, 22), directly or indirectly characterized in that the system (10) comprises a regenerative element (50).

2. A propulsion system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the regenerative element (50) is a regenerator or a thermoelectric material device.

3. Propulsion system (10), according to claim 1 or 2, in which the regenerative element (50) makes it possible to transform the heat emitted by the system into electricity.

4. Propulsion system (10), according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which the indirect coupling is carried out with a belt, a gear or any other type of coupling adapted to the operation of the system (10).

5. Propulsion system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, formed by a first motor (21) directly coupled to a first shaft (31) of the reducer and a second motor (22) directly coupled to a second shaft (32) of the reducer (30).

6. Propulsion system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, formed by a first motor (21) directly coupled to a first shaft (31) of the reducer and a second motor (22) indirectly coupled to a second shaft (32) of the reducer (30).

7. Propulsion system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, formed by a first motor (21) indirectly coupled to a first shaft (31) of the reducer and a second motor (22) indirectly coupled to the same first shaft (31) of the reducer (30).

8. Propulsion system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, formed by a first motor (21) directly coupled to a first shaft (31) of the reducer and at least one second motor (22) indirectly coupled to the same first shaft (31) of the reducer (30).

9. Vehicle comprising a propulsion system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, the vehicle being for example a trailer.

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