Dual Power Line Layout for EV Gradient Power Balancing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electric vehicles powered by overhead lines face inefficiencies in gradient regions, where the uphill side consumes insufficient power and the downhill side generates excessive power due to uneven power consumption, leading to voltage imbalances and reduced performance.

Innovation Solution

A power supply system with dual power lines and bypass wiring that connects the high-voltage side of the upstream line to the low-voltage side of the downstream line, creating parallel circuits to reduce impedance and balance power distribution, allowing for efficient power exchange between vehicles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single power line is used to supply power to electric vehicles on both uphill and downhill sides, then the power supply system is simple, but the uphill side experiences insufficient power while the downhill side generates excessive power due to regenerative braking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower line configurationVSAvoidpower consumption balance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The power line system is segmented into two separate power lines: a first power line dedicated to the uphill side and a second power line dedicated to the downhill side. This segmentation allows independent power management for each side, preventing the power imbalance that occurs when both sides share a single power line. The upstream electric vehicle and downstream electric vehicle each have dedicated power supply paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A bypass line is introduced as an intermediary component that connects the first and second power lines at their far ends. This bypass line acts as a mediator that enables power exchange between the uphill and downhill sides, allowing the downstream electric vehicle to supply power to the upstream electric vehicle when needed, thus resolving the power imbalance issue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Power

If the same amount of power is supplied to both upstream and downstream sides, then the power supply is balanced, but the uphill side still has insufficient power while the downhill side has excessive power in gradient regions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply amountVSAvoidpower efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service power exchange where the downstream electric vehicle on the downhill side, which generates excess power during regenerative braking, automatically supplies power to the upstream electric vehicle on the uphill side that needs power for climbing. This eliminates the need for external power management and optimizes power utilization automatically.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The first power line and second power line are merged through the bypass line connection at their far ends, creating a combined power network that allows power to flow bidirectionally. This merging enables the system to treat the uphill and downhill sides as an integrated power system rather than separate systems, allowing efficient power sharing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Loss of energy

If regenerative braking is used on the downhill side to generate power, then energy recovery is achieved, but voltage imbalance occurs between the uphill and downstream sides

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy recoveryVSAvoidvoltage balance

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system adds a spatial dimension to power distribution by using separate physical power lines (first power line for uphill, second power line for downhill) that are connected at the far end through the bypass line. This dimensional separation allows voltage levels to be managed independently on each side while still enabling power exchange, resolving the voltage imbalance issue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 solution enhances power efficiency in gradient areas by reducing voltage drops and power line resistance, ensuring consistent power supply and improved performance for electric vehicles.

Implementation Method 1

the first power line and the second power line have a bypass line that interconnects from the power to the connection at the far end

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

creating parallel circuits to reduce impedance and balance power distribution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical impedance reduction through parallel circuits: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentUS12115884B2Electric power supply systems and power supply equipment for electric vehicle

Publication Date: 2024.10.15 HITACHI IND PROD LTD

AI summary

A power supply system for electric vehicle comprising; power; a first power line;and a second power line; wherein the output of the high voltage side from the power line is fed to the high voltage side of each of the first power line and the second power line, the output of the low voltage side from the power line is fed to the low voltage said of each of the first power line and the second power line, the first power line and the second power line are connected at their far ends and a power supply system for electric vehicle that supplies electric power to an electric vehicle by means of said first power line or said second power line. the first power line and the second power line have a bypass line that interconnects from the power to the connection at the far end.