Coordinated Regenerative Braking Torque During EV Towing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrified vehicles face challenges in maintaining regenerative charging efficiency and driving stability during towing situations, where both vehicles independently perform regenerative braking.
Innovation Solution
An electrified vehicle equipped with a motor and a controller that determines a first target regenerative torque based on the maximum regenerative torque capacity of the vehicle or the other vehicle, and the total braking torque requirement, while considering the regenerative charging efficiencies of both vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If both vehicles independently perform regenerative braking during towing, then each vehicle can charge its battery, but the overall regenerative charging efficiency and driving stability deteriorate due to lack of coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the independent regenerative braking systems of the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle into a coordinated system. The controller of the towed vehicle receives information about the towing vehicle's regenerative braking status and adjusts its own regenerative torque accordingly, combining their efforts to achieve both high charging efficiency and stable driving.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by having the towed vehicle's controller continuously monitor the towing vehicle's regenerative braking state and adjust its torque output based on this information. This closed-loop control ensures that both vehicles work together optimally, preventing battery overcharge while maintaining driving stability.
2Productivity
If the vehicle with higher regenerative charging efficiency performs regenerative braking, then charging efficiency improves, but the system complexity increases due to need for communication and coordination between vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an information communication system as an intermediary between the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle. This mediator transmits necessary data (regenerative braking status, torque requirements) between the two vehicles, enabling coordinated control without requiring complex direct integration of their control systems.
3Productivity
If regenerative braking torque is increased to improve charging efficiency, then battery charging increases, but the risk of battery overcharge and driving instability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback control where the towed vehicle's controller monitors the towing vehicle's regenerative braking state and adjusts its own torque to prevent overcharge. When the towing vehicle is already performing regenerative braking, the towed vehicle reduces or stops its regenerative torque to avoid excessive charging and potential instability.
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 improves the overall regenerative charging efficiency and driving stability by optimizing regenerative braking torque during towing, preventing battery overcharge, and enhancing the fuel or electricity efficiency of the electrified vehicle.
Implementation Method 1
The motors provided in electrified vehicles can harness the driving force of the wheels to charge batteries when the vehicles decelerate. This process is known as braking energy regeneration or regenerative braking.
Data Source
AI summary
In an electrified vehicle implementing a regenerative braking control method thereof, where the vehicle includes a motor and a controller, the control can be configured to determine a target regenerative torque of the motor and control the motor provided in the vehicle based on the determined target regenerative torque according to comparison results between regenerative charging efficiency of the vehicle and another regenerative charging efficiency of another vehicle, while the vehicle is towed by the other vehicle or while the vehicle tows the other vehicle.