Combined Electrical Unit for Hybrid Vehicle Starter and Generator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hybrid vehicle systems are overly complex and expensive, requiring heavy and complex apparatuses that combine starter motors, drive motors, and generators, which are not efficiently retrofittable to existing vehicles and lack a multi-function electrical unit for fuel savings, battery charging, and auxiliary power.
Innovation Solution
A multi-function combined electrical unit that integrates a starter motor, drive motor, and generator, connected to the cruise control and ECU, providing auxiliary power, starting the engine, and charging batteries, which can be retrofitted to existing vehicles and optionally negates the need for an alternator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional separate starter motor, drive motor, and generator systems are used, then each function can be performed reliably, but the overall device complexity and weight increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the starter motor, drive motor, and generator into a single integrated electrical unit that performs all three functions. This merging eliminates the need for separate motor assemblies, reduces overall system complexity, and decreases weight while maintaining the reliability of each individual function through unified control electronics and mechanical integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical unit is designed as a multi-functional device that can operate as a starter motor to crank the engine, as a drive motor to provide auxiliary propulsion, and as a generator to charge the battery. This universal design allows a single component to replace three separate components, directly addressing the complexity and weight issues while preserving functional reliability.
2Use of energy by moving object
If complex hybrid systems with multiple components are implemented, then fuel savings and auxiliary power capabilities are achieved, but the expense and system complexity become extreme
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the starter motor, drive motor, and generator into one electrical unit, the system achieves fuel savings and auxiliary power capabilities without requiring multiple separate hybrid components. This integration dramatically reduces system complexity and expense while maintaining the energy efficiency benefits of hybridization through coordinated operation of the unified electrical unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-functional electrical unit provides fuel savings through regenerative braking (generator mode), auxiliary propulsion (drive motor mode), and engine starting (starter motor mode). This universal capability allows the system to achieve comprehensive fuel efficiency improvements without the extreme complexity of traditional multi-component hybrid systems.
3Device complexity
If a multi-function combined electrical unit is used, then device complexity is reduced and retrofittability is improved, but the reliability of performing all three functions may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of starter motor, drive motor, and generator functions into a single electrical unit reduces device complexity and improves retrofittability to existing vehicles. The design maintains functional reliability through robust control electronics that manage each operating mode independently and through mechanical designs that ensure reliable engagement for each function within the unified structure.
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 reduces the complexity and expense of hybridization by providing efficient fuel savings, auxiliary power, and battery charging, while being adaptable to both new and existing vehicles without requiring extensive modifications.
Implementation Method 1
The combined electrical unit performs three functions, with the aid of electrical components and connections. Auxiliary power is supplied to the fuel engine of an automobile by cruise control operation.
Implementation Method 2
Battery charging is also supplied to an automobile under normal driving conditions, when the cruise control is not engaged
Data Source
AI summary
The vehicle hybrid apparatus provides a combined electrical unit that provides three functions that are starter motor, generator, and auxiliary drive motor. The apparatus attaches to a vehicle in typical starter motor location, with starter motor mounts being used. The pinion gear of the combined electrical unit is continuously engaged with the existing flywheel of the existing fuel engine. Electrical components of the apparatus are connected to existing automobile components and, together, these decide which function, whether starter motor, generator, or drive motor is employed.