Electric Vehicle Drive Mechanism with Telescoping Shaft and Alternators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electric vehicles face challenges in recharging their battery packs during operation due to limited accessibility of charging stations and inefficiencies in existing solar panel charging methods, particularly in weather conditions or darkness.

Innovation Solution

An electric vehicle drive mechanism incorporating a plurality of alternators, an energy storage system, and a telescoping shaft that converts kinetic energy from braking into electrical energy, which is then used to charge the batteries, utilizing a gear system and lubricated shaft portions to efficiently generate and transfer energy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If solar panels are used to charge battery packs during vehicle operation, then charging can occur during daylight, but charging is ineffective when sunlight is limited due to weather conditions or darkness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging capability during operationVSAvoidcharging reliability in various weather conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the harmful effect of kinetic energy during braking (which normally results in energy loss through friction) into a beneficial effect by capturing this energy through regenerative braking to charge the battery packs. This resolves the contradiction by providing a reliable charging method that works independently of weather conditions, unlike solar panels that only function in sunlight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Use of energy by moving object

If the vehicle leaves the alternator engaged after stopping to continue charging, then more energy can be transferred to the battery, but the alternator slows the vehicle's acceleration when re-engaged due to increased load

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy transfer to batteryVSAvoidvehicle acceleration

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary charging action by keeping the alternator engaged after the vehicle stops, maximizing energy transfer to the battery during idle time. When the vehicle needs to accelerate, the system has already stored sufficient energy in the battery, and the alternator can be disengaged to avoid slowing acceleration. This resolves the contradiction by separating the charging function from the acceleration function in time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If a single large alternator is used, then less mechanical components are needed, but the alternator requires more space and may not be readily available in standard configurations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of mechanical componentsVSAvoidspace required for alternator

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a single large alternator, the invention segments the charging system into multiple smaller alternators (typically three alternators from the vehicle's existing electrical system). This segmentation reduces the space requirement for each individual alternator while maintaining the overall charging capability, and utilizes standard alternators that are readily available in vehicle configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution enables continuous charging of electric vehicle batteries during operation, effectively utilizing kinetic energy that would otherwise be lost as heat, thereby extending the vehicle's range and reducing dependence on stationary charging stations.

Implementation Method 1

When the vehicle is in motion, the telescoping shaft drives the alternators through the gear system. Electrical energy generated by the alternators is supplied to the energy storage system.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

An electric vehicle drive mechanism incorporating a plurality of alternators, an energy storage system, and a telescoping shaft that converts kinetic energy from braking into electrical energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectKinetic energy recovery:

Data Source

PatentUS9067483B2Electric vechicle drive mechanism for driving multiple alternators

Publication Date: 2015.06.30 RAYNOR MAURICE W

AI summary

An electric vehicle drive mechanism comprises a plurality of alternators, an energy storage system, a gear system, and a telescoping shaft. The telescoping shaft comprises shaft portions that extend along an axle of the vehicle. When the vehicle is in motion, the telescoping shaft drives the alternators through the gear system. Electrical energy generated by the alternators is supplied to the energy storage system.