Self-Contained EV Battery Trickle Charging for Range Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles face range anxiety and time constraints due to the limited development of recharging infrastructure, particularly with fast chargers.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained, non-rechargeable source of power, such as a betavoltaic device, is used as a secondary charging source to provide a trickle charge to the primary battery of an electric vehicle, enhancing its driving range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a self-contained power source is added to the EV, then driving range is extended, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The self-contained power source (secondary battery or betavoltaic device) is integrated within the EV's existing power system architecture, nested alongside the primary battery. This allows the secondary power source to be housed within available space without requiring separate external systems, thereby extending driving range while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
2Speed
If recharging infrastructure is developed, then charging speed is improved, but loss of time increases due to infrastructure deployment time
Solution Approach 1:
The self-contained power source performs preliminary charging action continuously during vehicle operation and idle periods, maintaining the primary battery at a higher state of charge before long-distance travel or extended idle periods. This preliminary energy accumulation reduces the frequency and duration of stops at charging infrastructure, thereby improving effective charging speed while reducing total time lost to charging infrastructure interactions.
3Use of energy by moving object
If conventional energy sources are used, then energy availability is maintained, but harmful emissions are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The betavoltaic device converts the previously harmful or underutilized radioactive decay energy of isotopes like tritium into a beneficial electrical power source. This transformation allows the vehicle to generate its own electricity from a self-contained nuclear battery, providing continuous energy availability while producing no greenhouse gas emissions, thereby converting a potential harmful energy source into an environmentally benign power solution.
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 use of a self-contained power source mitigates range anxiety by extending the driving range of electric vehicles and reducing greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional energy sources.
Implementation Method 1
betavoltaic device or battery, which is a type of nuclear battery that generates electric current from beta particles (electrons) emitted from a radioactive source
Implementation Method 2
betavoltaic device or battery, which is a type of nuclear battery that generates electric current from beta particles
Implementation Method 3
The hydrogen isotope tritium
Data Source
AI summary
The technology includes an electric vehicle (EV) including a drivetrain system and a power system. The drivetrain system includes an electric motor configured to supply motive power to the EV and a drivetrain controller configured to control power supplied to the electric motor. The power system includes a primary battery configured to supply electric current to the drivetrain controller of the drivetrain system. The primary battery is rechargeable via a charging station. The power system also includes a trickle charger configured to supply a trickle charge to a component of the power system. The trickle charger is a self-contained source of electric current that is generated autonomously and is not rechargeable. The power system further includes a power management controller configured to manage electric current supplied from the trickle charger to the power system.