Autonomous On-Motion Charging for Battery Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery-operated vehicles face range uncertainty and inefficiency due to the high cost and weight of large storage batteries, limiting their long-distance capabilities and requiring longer charging interruptions compared to internal combustion engine vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for autonomously charging battery-operated vehicles while in motion using a charging vehicle equipped with an energy generator or fuel cell, allowing the battery-operated vehicle to couple with the charging vehicle for energy transfer, eliminating the need for charging pauses and enabling continuous range extension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a large storage battery is used to achieve long range, then the range is extended, but the cost and weight increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the energy storage function into two separate components: a compact traction energy store in the battery-operated vehicle for immediate power needs, and a larger energy store in the charging vehicle for extended range. This segmentation allows the battery-operated vehicle to maintain low weight while achieving long range through the coupled system.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging vehicle acts as an intermediary energy source, providing additional energy to the battery-operated vehicle through a coupling device during motion. This mediator approach enables the battery-operated vehicle to extend its range without carrying the full energy load itself.
2Loss of time
If rapid charging is used to charge the traction energy store, then charging time is reduced, but charging interruptions are still longer than internal combustion engine refueling
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables continuous energy transfer from the charging vehicle to the battery-operated vehicle during motion through the coupling device. This continuous charging process eliminates the need for vehicle stops, maintaining uninterrupted travel and maximizing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging vehicle prepares energy in advance and transfers it to the battery-operated vehicle during motion, preventing energy depletion before it occurs. This preliminary energy supplementation ensures continuous operation without charging interruptions.
3Duration of action of moving object
If a range extender with internal combustion engine is added, then range is extended, but installation space, cost, and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The range extension function is extracted from the battery-operated vehicle itself and placed in a separate charging vehicle. This extraction eliminates the need for complex range extenders, fuel tanks, and additional engines within the battery-operated vehicle, maintaining its simplicity while achieving extended range.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging vehicle serves multiple functions: it acts as a mobile charging station, provides range extension, and can potentially serve multiple battery-operated vehicles. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated range extender systems in each vehicle.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach provides virtually infinite range for battery-operated vehicles by allowing on-the-go charging, reducing the size and weight of the traction energy store, lowering production costs, and increasing efficiency, thus enhancing the acceptance and performance of battery-operated vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
producing at least one electrical coupling between the battery operated vehicle and the charging vehicle... charging the traction energy store of the battery operated vehicle by way of the energy generator and/or energy store of the charging vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for charging a battery-operated vehicle having a chargeable traction energy store and a system for autonomously guiding the vehicle with a charging vehicle having an energy generator and/or an energy store. The method forms at least one electrical coupling between the battery-operated vehicle and the charging vehicle via an autonomous driving manoeuver of the battery-operated vehicle and/or the charging vehicle. A charging of the traction energy store of the battery-operated vehicle occurs via the energy generator and/or the energy store of the charging vehicle during the driving of the paired battery-operated vehicle and charging vehicle.