Electric Trailer Drive With Large Energy Storage for Long-Haul Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing commercial vehicles, including trailer vehicles, are limited in range for long-distance transport due to the need for frequent charging and the inability to operate without an internal combustion engine, leading to unsuitable vehicle ranges and increased break times.
Innovation Solution
A trailer vehicle equipped with a large energy store exceeding 250 kWh, allowing it to operate independently and reduce the towing vehicle's load, with low-voltage connections and protected installation of the energy store to enable long-distance travel without an internal combustion engine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If commercial vehicles use existing energy stores with smaller capacity, then the vehicle can be recharged more frequently at charging stations, but the vehicle range is insufficient for long-distance transport and requires relatively long break times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the key parameter of energy store capacity from conventional sizes to significantly larger capacities (250-1000 kWh), enabling the vehicle to operate for extended periods without recharging and thus reducing break times while maintaining sufficient vehicle range for long-distance transport
2Duration of action of moving object
If the energy store capacity is increased to more than 250 kWh, then the vehicle can travel longer distances without recharging, but the weight of the energy store increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the total energy store capacity into multiple modular energy stores (first energy store and second energy store with different capacities), allowing flexible configuration to achieve the required total capacity while optimizing weight distribution and vehicle architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite energy storage systems combining different types of energy stores (e.g., battery modules with different chemistries or configurations) to achieve high capacity while managing weight through material selection and structural optimization
3Adaptability or versatility
If commercial vehicles are equipped with large energy stores exceeding 250 kWh, then the vehicle can operate without an internal combustion engine for long-distance transport, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the electric drive system and energy stores to serve multiple functions: providing propulsion power, enabling long-distance operation without internal combustion engines, and offering flexible recharging options at various charging stations, thereby reducing the need for separate specialized systems
4Use of energy by moving object
If the trailer vehicle has an electric drive with large energy store, then the towing vehicle's propulsion demands are reduced, but the initial cost of the energy store and electric drive system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer vehicle's electric drive system with large energy stores enables the trailer to partially or fully propel itself, reducing the energy burden on the towing vehicle and allowing the trailer to operate semi-independently, thereby lowering the towing vehicle's energy consumption over time
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 long-distance travel with heavy loads by reducing the towing vehicle's propulsion demands and minimizing charging frequency, using night-time rates for cost-effective energy replenishment and safe, efficient energy storage.
Implementation Method 1
an energy store for supplying the electric motor, wherein the energy store is configured to store energy of more than 250 kWh
Data Source
AI summary
A trailer vehicle, in particular a semi-trailer, for a towing vehicle has an electric drive, and the electric drive includes at least one electric motor for driving at least one wheel of the trailer vehicle and an energy store for supplying the electric motor. The energy store stores energy of more than 250 kWh or more than 500 kWh, preferably more than 750 kWh or more than 1000 kWh. A combination vehicle can include the trailer vehicle and a method is for operating a trailer vehicle.