Auxiliary Drive Device Speed Control via Regenerative Braking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing auxiliary drive devices for vehicles, such as bicycles, lack effective speed control and safety features during downhill riding, particularly for older users, where high speeds can be dangerous and excessive.
Innovation Solution
An auxiliary drive device that integrates a pedal crank arrangement, a rechargeable battery, and a control device to manage the electric motor's recuperation, allowing for controlled speed regulation by adapting the motor's speed to a predetermined level, thereby enabling safe and controlled downhill riding without mechanical brakes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electric motor operates as a generator during downhill riding to enable speed control, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The electric motor is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as a drive motor during normal operation and as a generator during downhill riding for speed control. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate braking mechanisms, improving safety while avoiding additional device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the electric motor's own generator capability to provide speed control during downhill riding. The motor generates electrical energy from the vehicle's kinetic energy, which can be stored in the battery or dissipated to control speed, making the system self-regulating without requiring external braking components.
2Device complexity
If the electric motor is used for both drive and regeneration functions, then device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electric motor is engineered to seamlessly switch between motor and generator modes through electronic control. This universal design consolidates multiple functions into a single component, reducing overall device complexity while relying on precise electronic control rather than mechanical precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical braking systems with an electrically controlled generator mode. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity and manufacturing precision requirements for mechanical components, while introducing electronic control systems that offer more precise and adjustable performance.
3Use of energy by moving object
If recuperation is used for speed control instead of mechanical brakes, then energy efficiency is improved, but the loss of information increases due to limited feedback on speed control capability
Solution Approach 1:
The control device continuously monitors the vehicle's speed and the electric motor's operating state, using this feedback to dynamically adjust the degree of recuperation. This ensures optimal energy recovery while maintaining safe speed control, and provides the rider with information about the system's status through the controller interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the recuperation level based on real-time conditions such as vehicle speed, slope, and battery charge state. This dynamic control maximizes energy efficiency by recovering energy when conditions are favorable while maintaining safety, and adapts to changing riding conditions without requiring mechanical feedback mechanisms.
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
The solution provides enhanced safety and control by maintaining a preselected maximum speed, reducing the risk of excessive speeds on steep slopes while allowing for efficient energy recovery and extended pedaling support, enhancing the overall riding experience and safety for older cyclists.
Implementation Method 1
The well-known wheel hub motor can also act as a regenerative brake in generator mode. The electrical current generated by the wheel hub motor in generator mode is used to charge a rechargeable battery (accumulator) that is carried along.
Implementation Method 2
The control device is designed to control the electric motor in such a way that recuperation takes place to such an extent that a current speed of the electric motor is adapted to a predetermined speed of the electric motor.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The apparatus has a pedal crank assembly for introducing human power in a drive unit of vehicle. A control unit is provided to detect rotational speed of electric motor and to control electric motor, such that certain driving condition recuperation is performed. The kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy for charging a rechargeable battery. The control unit is provided to actuate electromotor during recuperation process, such that current rotation speed of electromotor is adapted to predetermined speed of electromotor. An independent claim is included for a method for operating vehicle.