Utility Vehicle Axle Generator Integration via Gear Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Utility vehicles, such as trucks, trailers, and semitrailers, face challenges in providing electrical energy to their components independently of the vehicle engine, necessitating an environmentally friendly solution for powering electrical components like refrigeration units and telematics devices.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a utility vehicle axle with a wheel fastening element and a generator coupling element connected via a gear unit, allowing the wheel's rotational energy to drive the generator, enabling the conversion of low wheel rotational speeds into higher generator rotational speeds for efficient electrical energy production, including energy recuperation during braking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the wheel fastening element is directly connected to the generator coupling element without a gear unit, then the device complexity is reduced, but the generator cannot achieve sufficient rotational speed for efficient electrical energy production
Solution Approach 1:
A gear unit is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the wheel fastening element and the generator coupling element. This gear unit converts the low rotational speed of the wheel into higher rotational speed for the generator, enabling efficient electrical energy production while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through modular design.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If electrical components are powered by the vehicle engine, then the power supply is reliable, but the solution is not environmentally friendly and increases operational costs
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel fastening element serves dual purposes: it not only fastens the wheel to the axle but also drives the generator coupling element through the gear unit. This self-service mechanism converts the vehicle's kinetic energy into electrical energy, powering electrical components independently of the vehicle engine, thereby reducing harmful emissions and operational costs while maintaining reliable power supply.
3Power
If the wheel fastening element rotates at low speed, then the wheel can be properly fastened to the axle, but the generator coupling element requires high rotational speed for efficient electrical energy production
Solution Approach 1:
The gear unit changes the rotational speed parameter from the wheel fastening element to the generator coupling element. By employing gear ratios, the system transforms the low rotational speed of the wheel (suitable for fastening) into the high rotational speed required for efficient generator operation, thus resolving the speed mismatch between these two components.
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 configuration provides electrical energy to utility vehicles' components independently of the engine, offering a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution, particularly beneficial for trailers and semitrailers by eliminating the need for external electrical connections, ensuring reliable power supply and reduced operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
the wheel fastening element, for driving the generator coupling element, is connected to the generator coupling element via a gear unit for converting the rotational speed of the wheel fastening element into a higher rotational speed of the generator coupling element
Implementation Method 2
a generator coupling element for connecting to a generator and driving the generator
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
The invention relates to a utility vehicle axle (10) for a utility vehicle (U), in particular a truck, trailer or semitrailer. In order to provide electrical energy in an environmentally friendly manner independently of a vehicle engine, the utility vehicle axle (10) comprises at least one wheel fastening element (16) for fastening at least one wheel (11) of the utility vehicle (U) to the utility vehicle axle (10) and a generator coupling element (20) for connecting to a generator (15) and driving the generator (15), wherein the wheel fastening element (16) is rotatable about a wheel rotation axis (AW), wherein the generator coupling element (20) is rotatable about a generator rotation axis (AG) and wherein the wheel fastening element (16), for driving the generator coupling element (20), is connected to the generator coupling element (20) via a gear unit (19) for converting the rotational speed of the wheel fastening element (16) into a higher rotational speed of the generator coupling element (20).