Electrified Vehicle Towing Control via Regenerative Braking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for towing electrified motor vehicles behind a towing vehicle are inefficient, as they lack precise control over driving and braking forces, leading to suboptimal energy management and increased wear on mechanical braking systems.
Innovation Solution
An operating method that communicates data between the towing and motor vehicles to control forces, allowing the motor vehicle to provide driving or braking assistance based on the towing vehicle's state and battery charge, using an electric drive system to support the towing vehicle through regenerative braking, friction braking, or as a traction assist device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the motor vehicle is towed behind a towing vehicle without active control, then the towing procedure is simple to implement, but energy management is suboptimal and mechanical braking systems experience increased wear
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the towing vehicle's driving state, battery charge level, and force conditions, then adjusts the motor vehicle's driving or braking force accordingly. This closed-loop feedback control optimizes energy management by enabling regenerative braking when the battery is not full and coordinating traction forces to reduce overall energy consumption during towing operations.
2Device complexity
If the motor vehicle is towed behind a towing vehicle without active control, then the system complexity is low, but mechanical braking systems experience increased wear and reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors braking force requirements from the towing vehicle and adjusts the motor vehicle's braking force in real-time to share the braking load. This feedback mechanism reduces wear on the towing vehicle's mechanical braking systems by having the motor vehicle's electric braking system contribute to the overall braking effort, thereby extending component life and improving reliability.
3Measurement precision
If data communication between towing vehicle and motor vehicle is implemented, then force control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a universal data communication interface that can operate in multiple modes: full cooperative control mode with detailed force feedback, simplified towing mode with basic state sharing, and emergency mode with minimal communication. This multi-functional communication system achieves precise force control when needed while maintaining compatibility with simpler towing scenarios, balancing precision requirements with system complexity.
4Force
If the motor vehicle provides active braking support, then mechanical braking load is reduced, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system receives braking force requests from the towing vehicle's brake system, monitors the motor vehicle's battery state of charge, and dynamically adjusts the braking force distribution. When the battery is not fully charged, the system applies regenerative braking to generate electrical energy while providing braking support. The control continuously feedbacks on braking force application and adjusts accordingly to match the towing vehicle's braking requirements, reducing mechanical braking load while managing control complexity through adaptive algorithms.
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 method enhances towing efficiency by optimizing force application, reducing mechanical braking load, and allowing for hybrid operation, thereby improving energy management and extending the life of braking components.
Implementation Method 1
The motor vehicle supports the towing vehicle with respect to the driving operation and/or braking operation, which may include regenerative braking and/or service/friction braking
Implementation Method 2
The motor vehicle supports the towing vehicle with respect to the driving operation and/or braking operation, which may include regenerative braking and/or service/friction braking
Data Source
AI summary
An operating method for an electrified motor vehicle having an electric drive while being coupled to a towing vehicle by a connecting device in such a manner that the pulling forces and pushing forces between the vehicles are transmitted. The towing vehicle may communicate data to the motor vehicle used to control the motor vehicle to provide a controlled force exerted on the towing vehicle by the motor vehicle during towing. The controlled force exerted on the towing vehicle may vary based on the prevailing force direction between the vehicles, acceleration, and battery state of charge (SOC) of the motor vehicle. The controlled force may include a driving force or a braking force. The braking force may be provided by regenerative braking of the motor vehicle and/or by friction braking of the motor vehicle.