Vehicle Driveline With Variable Regeneration for Endurance Braking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drivelines in vehicles, particularly heavy-duty vehicles, face challenges in managing surplus kinetic energy during braking, as service brakes have limited endurance and brake resistors are costly and space-consuming, while traditional solutions like brake resistors are inefficient and bulky.
Innovation Solution
A driveline with a set of electric machines having variable regeneration efficiency levels, coupled with a cooling system and control system, allows for adjustable conversion of kinetic energy into electric or thermal energy, optimizing energy distribution and reducing the need for additional braking components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If brake resistors are used to dissipate surplus energy, then energy dissipation capability is improved, but device complexity, cost, and space requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The electric machine is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a motor for propelling the vehicle and a generator for regenerative braking. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate brake resistors, reducing device complexity while maintaining energy dissipation capability through variable regeneration efficiency control
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the regeneration efficiency parameter of the electric machine based on operating conditions. By adjusting the regeneration efficiency, the electric machine can operate in different modes (high efficiency for energy recovery, low efficiency for heat dissipation), providing versatile energy management without additional components
2Loss of energy
If service brakes are used for deceleration, then energy dissipation is achieved, but endurance braking capability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The electric machine enables continuous regenerative braking operation by dynamically adjusting its regeneration efficiency. Unlike service brakes that overheat and fail after prolonged use, the electric machine can sustain braking action indefinitely by varying its operational mode between high and low efficiency, ensuring continuous energy dissipation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the regeneration efficiency of the electric machine in real-time based on thermal conditions, energy storage state, and braking requirements. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to transition between energy recovery and heat dissipation modes, providing sustained braking endurance that static brake systems cannot achieve
3Loss of energy
If brake resistors are installed, then surplus energy can be dissipated, but cost and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electric machine serves dual purposes as both propulsion motor and braking generator, eliminating the need for separate brake resistor components. This space-saving approach is achieved by utilizing the existing electric machine's capability to operate in different modes through control system adjustment
Solution Approach 2:
The electric machine performs self-service by handling both propulsion and braking functions. The system uses its own thermal management infrastructure and control capabilities to manage energy dissipation without requiring external brake resistor systems, thereby reducing overall vehicle space requirements
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 efficient endurance braking by varying the conversion of kinetic energy into electric or thermal energy, reducing the reliance on brake resistors and minimizing wear on other braking components, thus optimizing space and cost efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling system connected to each electric machine in the set of electric machines such that the cooling system can remove heat generated by each electric machine
Implementation Method 2
the electric machine may generate electric energy from kinetic energy in addition to being able to generate kinetic energy from electric energy
Implementation Method 3
the relation between electric energy and thermal energy produced by the electric machine during regeneration can be varied
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a driveline for a vehicle. The driveline includes a set of electric machines with variable regeneration efficiency level. The set of electric machines with variable regeneration efficiency level includes at least one electric machine with variable regeneration efficiency level. An electric machine with variable regeneration efficiency level is such that the relation between electric energy and thermal energy produced the electric machine during regeneration can be varied. The driveline includes a cooling system connected to each electric machine in the set of electric machines such that the cooling system can remove heat generated by each electric machine in the set of electric machines.