Bi-directional Switch for Regenerative Energy Capture in Worksite Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Worksite vehicles equipped with auxiliary power tools often dissipate regenerative energy when tools shut down, rather than capturing it for recharging the vehicle's battery, leading to inefficiencies in energy utilization.
Innovation Solution
A bi-directional electrical system with a switch and controller that toggles between allowing current flow from the vehicle's traction battery to an auxiliary device and back, capturing regenerative energy from the device as it shuts down and transferring it to the vehicle's battery using a bi-directional inverter to convert DC to AC.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a unidirectional switch is used to power auxiliary devices from the vehicle battery, then the auxiliary devices can be powered reliably, but regenerative energy from device shutdown cannot be captured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inversion by enabling the switch to reverse its current flow direction based on operational phase. During device operation, current flows from vehicle to device; during device shutdown, the switch inverts to capture regenerative current flowing from device back to vehicle, thereby recovering energy that would otherwise be lost.
Solution Approach 2:
The switch transitions from a static unidirectional configuration to a dynamic bidirectional configuration controlled by the controller. The switch dynamically changes its conduction direction based on real-time detection of device shutdown conditions, enabling regenerative energy capture while maintaining simplicity in the physical switch structure.
2Loss of energy
If the switch remains in the first position during device shutdown, then the circuit remains simple, but regenerative energy is dissipated rather than captured
Solution Approach 1:
The controller monitors the operational state of the auxiliary device and provides feedback control for the switch. When the device shutdown is detected, the controller automatically toggles the switch to the second position to capture regenerative energy, eliminating the need for manual intervention and simplifying operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting device shutdown conditions and autonomously switching the switch position to capture regenerative energy. This eliminates the need for external control or complex manual operation, allowing the system to optimize energy recovery automatically.
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 system efficiently captures regenerative energy from auxiliary components, increasing the state of charge of the vehicle's battery without additional charging means, optimizing energy use and preventing battery depletion.
Implementation Method 1
using a bi-directional inverter to convert DC to AC
Implementation Method 2
electrical energy may be created... auxiliary component generating regenerative energy
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a traction battery and a controller. The controller, in response to termination of current flow from the traction battery to a tool that is plugged in to the vehicle that results in shutting down of the tool, actuates a switch such that current resulting from the shutting down flows from the tool to the traction battery for regenerative energy capture.