EV Range Extender with Planetary Gear and Flywheel
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles face limitations in cruising range, torque, and convenience due to battery depletion and the lack of widespread charging infrastructure, deterring consumer adoption.
Innovation Solution
A range-extending, charging, and driving apparatus for electric vehicles, comprising a planetary gear assembly and a wheel motor, which generates power to charge the battery and provides fuel to a fuel cell using compressed air, enhancing torque, speed, and extending the vehicle's operational range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a pure battery-powered electric vehicle uses only battery energy storage, then the structure is simple, but the cruising range is limited and charging frequency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power source is segmented into multiple independent energy storage systems: a battery system for primary power supply and a flywheel energy storage system for supplemental power. This segmentation allows each system to operate independently or in combination, extending the overall cruising range while maintaining manageable system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines battery energy storage with flywheel energy storage into a hybrid power system. The battery provides sustained energy while the flywheel provides immediate high-power bursts, merging the advantages of both systems to extend cruising range without proportionally increasing complexity
2Duration of action of moving object
If the battery capacity is increased to extend cruising range, then the energy storage increases, but the vehicle weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using one large battery, the energy storage is segmented into a battery system and a flywheel system. The flywheel, being much lighter than an equivalent energy-capacity battery, reduces overall weight while the battery handles sustained energy needs, achieving range extension without proportional weight increase
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and energy density parameters by introducing flywheel mechanical energy storage alongside chemical battery storage. This parameter diversification allows optimizing the weight-energy ratio, as flywheels provide high power density with low weight compared to batteries
3Duration of action of moving object
If the battery capacity is increased to extend cruising range, then the energy storage increases, but the vehicle cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage system is segmented into battery and flywheel components, allowing the use of smaller, less expensive batteries while adding a relatively low-cost flywheel system. This segmentation avoids the need for one large expensive battery while achieving the same effective range extension
Solution Approach 2:
The flywheel energy storage system uses relatively inexpensive mechanical components compared to large-capacity batteries. The flywheel can be replaced or maintained more economically than upgrading battery systems, providing a cost-effective method for extending cruising range
4Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional fuel vehicles are replaced by electric vehicles, then environmental pollution is reduced, but the charging infrastructure availability decreases convenience
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle adopts a dynamic power supply system that can switch between battery power, flywheel power, or combined power modes based on real-time driving conditions. This dynamic capability allows the vehicle to optimize performance and range without requiring frequent stops at charging stations, improving charging convenience while maintaining environmental benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The flywheel energy storage system is pre-charged during vehicle operation or at previous stops, storing mechanical energy in advance. This preliminary energy storage allows the vehicle to handle high-power demands without immediate external charging, reducing dependency on charging infrastructure and improving operational convenience
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 apparatus effectively extends the cruising range, enhances torque and speed, and reduces the need for frequent charging, improving the operational time and user experience of electric vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
The planetary gear assembly is connected to at least one wheel set of a plurality of wheels of the electric vehicle, and comprises at least one planetary gear, a planet carrier unit, a ring gear, and a sun gear unit
Implementation Method 2
When a main battery that is connected to a circuit of the wheel motor does not provide electric power, the wheel motor, which does not drive the planetary gear assembly, will be driven by the idle wheel(s) and the planetary gear assembly so as to generate electric power, and charge the main battery
Implementation Method 3
an air compressor, connected to an inner side of the wheel motor, when the wheel motor does work or reversely generates electric power, the air compressor is driven by the wheel motor to compress air, and the compressed air, utilized as fuel, is provided to a fuel cell
Implementation Method 4
the compressed air, utilized as fuel, is provided to a fuel cell which can generate electric power to charge the main battery
Data Source
AI summary
Nowadays people attempt to replace petrochemical engine vehicles by electric vehicles. However, up to now this attempt has not been successful yet for the insufficiency of safety, cruising range and convenience. When the electricity of battery is used up, the electric vehicle has to stop running and wait for charging and looking for charging stations, always make consumers give up the idea of buying electric vehicles. We have creatively design a range-extending, charging, and driving apparatus for an electric vehicle. It makes use of the clever configuration of wheel motor and planetary gear assembly, which can increase the cruising range, torque and speed of electric vehicle, and conduct charging while driving, and provides the auxiliary power fuel cell with the fuel of oxygen. Here electric vehicles cover all kinds of electric vehicles.