EV Charger Regenerative Charge Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicle batteries often become fully charged before reaching a destination with significant regenerative braking potential, leading to wasted regenerative charge and increased mechanical brake wear, as they cannot accept additional charge during downhill driving.
Innovation Solution
An electric vehicle charging method and system that adjusts charging based on predicted regenerative charge generation during a trip from a higher elevation external power source to a destination, limiting charging to a target level that allows full utilization of regenerative charge, thereby preventing battery overcharging and optimizing energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the battery is charged to full capacity at the external power source, then the battery charge level is maximized, but regenerative charge generated during downhill driving cannot be stored and is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculation of regenerative charge potential before charging. By analyzing route elevation data and predicting regenerative braking opportunities, the charger deliberately limits the initial charge level to leave headroom for capturing regenerative energy during downhill driving, preventing energy waste while ensuring the battery reaches full capacity by the destination
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring battery charge level, route elevation changes, and regenerative braking events. This feedback loop allows dynamic adjustment of charging strategy, enabling the battery to be charged to optimal levels that maximize regenerative energy capture while ensuring full charge arrival at the destination
2Quantity of substance
If the battery is charged to full capacity at the external power source, then the battery charge level is maximized, but mechanical brake wear increases due to inability to use regenerative braking
Solution Approach 1:
The system proactively plans charge levels based on predicted regenerative braking opportunities along the route. By pre-calculating the battery's charge capacity needs and comparing them with expected regenerative charge generation, the system determines the optimal charge level that enables maximum regenerative braking utilization, thereby reducing mechanical brake wear while ensuring adequate charge arrival at the destination
3Productivity
If the battery is charged to full capacity at the external power source, then charging efficiency is maximized, but energy waste occurs when regenerative charge cannot be stored
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the charging parameter (charge level) based on route characteristics. Instead of always charging to maximum capacity, the system adjusts the target charge level according to predicted regenerative braking potential, elevation changes, and distance to destination. This parameter optimization ensures efficient energy utilization by matching charge levels with actual energy recovery opportunities, preventing waste while maintaining high charging efficiency
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
Ensures the battery is nominally fully charged at the point of maximum cumulative regenerative charge, reducing waste, decreasing brake wear, and enhancing fuel economy, while saving energy and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a battery containing multiple battery cells that store electrical power for powering the electric machine
Implementation Method 2
Regenerative braking can generate charge for the battery
Data Source
AI summary
An example electric vehicle charging method includes charging a battery of a vehicle using an external power source, and adjusting the charging based on a predicted amount of charging generated when driving the vehicle from the external power source to a destination. The external power source is at a higher elevation than some point along the route to the at least one destination.