Cargo Box Battery Power Transfer for Continuous EV Operation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The inefficiencies in electric cargo vehicle operations due to non-serviceable hours, such as recharging and unloading/unloading times, limit the return on investment, and existing fast charging systems still require significant time and infrastructure costs.
Innovation Solution
A power supply system for electric vehicles and cargo boxes, where a cargo box battery pack can be recharged independently and then supplies power to the vehicle, allowing continuous operation without stopping for recharging, and includes a management system to dynamically distribute power between the cargo box and vehicle systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the electric vehicle uses a large capacity battery pack for continuous operation, then the serviceable hours are increased, but the vehicle weight and charging infrastructure costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into two separate battery packs: a first battery pack integrated with the cargo box and a second battery pack integrated with the vehicle. This segmentation allows the vehicle to operate without carrying a large capacity battery, as the cargo box battery can supply power during delivery operations, thereby reducing vehicle weight while maintaining serviceable hours.
Solution Approach 2:
The cargo box battery pack acts as an intermediary power source between the charging infrastructure and the vehicle battery. Instead of directly charging the vehicle battery at every stop, the cargo box battery is charged from the charging station and then supplies power to the vehicle battery, enabling continuous operation without requiring the vehicle to carry a large battery capacity.
2Loss of time
If the electric vehicle uses fast charging systems to reduce recharging time, then the non-serviceable hours are decreased, but the charging infrastructure costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cargo box battery is charged in advance from the charging station before the vehicle needs to operate. This preliminary charging action allows the vehicle to skip the recharging step during delivery operations, as the cargo box battery will supply power to the vehicle battery when needed, thereby reducing non-serviceable hours without requiring complex fast charging systems.
3Productivity
If the cargo box battery pack supplies power to the vehicle during operation, then the serviceable hours are increased, but the power management system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cargo box battery pack is designed with multi-functionality: it can supply power to the vehicle during delivery operations, and it can also be charged from the charging station during cargo unloading time. This universal design allows the same battery to serve multiple purposes, increasing operational efficiency without requiring separate power systems for different functions.
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
Enables uninterrupted service by allowing electric vehicles to operate autonomously with continuous power supply from cargo box batteries, reducing non-serviceable hours and minimizing the need for additional charging infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
a battery pack, for being integrated with the cargo box and configured for supplying power to an electric vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
An electric vehicle power supply system and cargo box includes an electric vehicle assembly, for location on the vehicle. The assembly includes a drivetrain, vehicle electric arrangements, including a low voltage arrangement having a vehicle system battery, for powering vehicle electric systems, and a vehicle first converter, converting power from traction battery pack to vehicle system battery. The assembly includes traction battery pack, for powering the electric arrangements and drivetrain. A cargo box assembly includes cargo box electric arrangements, including a low voltage arrangement with cargo box system battery, for powering box electric systems, and a cargo box first converter, converting power from box battery pack to cargo box system battery. The box assembly includes cargo box battery pack, for powering the box electric arrangements and traction battery pack, and a cargo box second converter for converting power from a charging system to the cargo box battery pack.