Shared Battery Power Transfer for EV Boat Towing Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
All-Electric Pickup Trucks and other EVs experience significant range losses when towing trailered boats or watercraft, making them less practical for recreational use and discouraging adoption due to the need for frequent recharging.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that allows an All-Electric Pickup truck or other EV to tow a trailered All-Electric boat or watercraft by using the battery energy from the towed vehicle to supplement the towing EV's battery, effectively extending the range and reducing the need for recharging during towing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If an All-Electric Pickup truck tows a trailered boat or watercraft, then the towing capability is achieved, but the driving range is reduced by more than 50%
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the battery packs of the towing EV and the towed EV into a single integrated energy system. The controller manages power flow between both battery packs, allowing the towed vehicle's battery to supplement the towing vehicle's battery, thereby extending the effective driving range while maintaining towing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The towed EV's battery pack, originally designed solely for propelling the towed vehicle, is made multi-functional by enabling it to also serve as an energy source for the towing EV. This universal utilization of the battery pack resolves the range limitation during towing operations.
2Force
If an All-Electric Pickup truck tows a trailered boat or watercraft, then the towing function is enabled, but frequent recharging events are required
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the energy resources of both vehicles into a unified power system, the patent eliminates the need for frequent stops to recharge the towing vehicle's battery. The combined battery capacity provides sufficient energy for extended towing trips without interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated power system ensures continuous operation by allowing the towing EV to draw power from either its own battery or the towed EV's battery as needed. This continuous energy supply prevents interruptions and maintains uninterrupted towing capability throughout the journey.
3Ease of operation
If an All-Electric boat or watercraft is trailered, then the boat can be transported, but the combined weight increases energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the energy resources of the towing EV and towed EV, creating a shared power pool that can handle the increased energy demands of towing a heavy all-electric boat. The combined battery capacity compensates for the additional weight and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows the towed EV's battery to serve the towing EV's energy needs, creating a self-sufficient energy system. The towed vehicle's battery essentially serves dual purposes: propelling itself and supporting the towing vehicle, thereby offsetting the energy consumption increase from towing.
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 system enables All-Electric Pickup trucks and other EVs to maintain or even extend their towing range when hauling All-Electric boats or watercraft, addressing the range anxiety and practicality issues associated with current EV technology.
Implementation Method 1
supplying electrical energy from the battery pack of the Powered Watercraft EV to the Power Electronics Controller
Data Source
AI summary
A method for powering at least one Power Electronics Controller included in a first EV. The method including step of:i) supplying electrical energy from a Powered Watercraft EV's battery pack to the first EV's at least one Power Electronics Controller.