Axle Control Layout for One-Sided Recuperation Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing axle systems for commercial vehicles with recuperation devices are costly, space-intensive, and heavy, and when only one wheel head is connected, they result in inefficient energy recovery and potential driving dynamics issues.

Innovation Solution

An axle design where only one wheel head is connected to a recuperation device, with a control unit coordinating the deceleration of both wheel heads using a braking device to maintain dynamic stability and optimize energy recovery, eliminating the need for a differential and reducing installation space and weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the recuperation device is connected to only one wheel head, then installation space and weight are reduced, but driving dynamics stability deteriorates due to uncoordinated deceleration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoiddriving dynamics stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit acts as an intermediary that coordinates between the recuperation device on the first wheel head and the braking device on the second wheel head. It receives information about deceleration from the recuperation device and controls the braking device to apply compensating deceleration, thereby maintaining driving dynamics stability while allowing one-sided recuperation connection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit dynamically adjusts the deceleration parameter of the second wheel head through the braking device to match the deceleration of the first wheel head caused by recuperation. By changing the braking force parameter in real-time, the system maintains coordinated deceleration of both wheel heads despite the asymmetric recuperation connection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If the recuperation device is connected to both wheel heads via differential and generator, then driving dynamics stability is maintained, but manufacturing cost and installation space increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving dynamics stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the generator component from the traditional dual-wheel-head recuperation system and removes the differential connection. Instead, it uses a control unit with a braking device to achieve the stability function that would otherwise require the differential and generator connection, thereby simplifying the system and reducing manufacturing cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical differential connection and generator-based coordination system with an electronic control system. The control unit processes deceleration information and electronically controls the braking device to achieve coordinated deceleration, substituting mechanical complexity with electronic control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Volume of moving object

If the recuperation device is connected to only one wheel head with a weak generator, then installation space is reduced, but energy recovery efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidenergy recovery efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit implements a feedback mechanism by receiving information about the deceleration caused by the recuperation device and using this information to control the braking device. This feedback loop ensures that the braking device compensates for the deceleration imbalance, allowing the use of a smaller recuperation device while maintaining overall system performance and energy recovery efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 design achieves efficient energy recovery while maintaining vehicle stability and reducing manufacturing costs, improving overall vehicle efficiency by coordinating decelerations between wheel heads.

Implementation Method 1

a recuperation device which is or can be connected to the first wheel head and is designed to recuperate rotational energy of the first wheel head

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a braking device which is designed to decelerate the second wheel head

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4161810B1Axle and method of compensating a deceleration
Publication Date: 2023.11.15 SAF HOLLAND GMBH
  • EP4161810B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4161810B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4161810B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an axle, in particular for utility vehicles, comprising a first wheel head (2) and a second wheel head (3) which are arranged or can be arranged on the axle (1) opposite each other and in a rotatable manner, a recuperation device (13) which is connected or can be connected to the first wheel head (2) and is designed to recuperate rotational energy of the first wheel head (2), a brake device (5) which is designed to delay the second wheel head (3), and a control unit (11) which is designed to determine information on a delay of the first wheel head (2), said delay resulting from the recuperation, and/or a delay of the second wheel head (3) and to control the brake device (5) and/or the recuperation device (13) such that the delay of the first wheel head (3) and the delay of the second wheel head (3) match each other. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for compensating for a delay of a first wheel head (2) of an axle (1), in particular for a utility vehicle, due to a recuperation process.