Flexible Arm Wheel Generator for In-Motion EV Charging

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stationary charging systems for electric vehicles are inconvenient, inefficient, and prone to degradation, requiring a specific location for charging and suffering from inefficiencies and losses during energy transfer.

Innovation Solution

A system that generates energy in response to vehicle wheel rotation, comprising a roller housing within a wheel well, a rotatably attached roller contacting a wheel groove, a generator connected to the roller housing, and a flexible arm exerting a downward force on the roller, allowing for efficient energy generation and transfer while the vehicle is mobile.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If stationary wired or wireless charging systems are used, then energy transfer can be achieved, but the system requires a specific location for charging and suffers from inefficiencies and losses during energy transfer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy loss during transferVSAvoidconvenience of charging

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle generates its own energy through the generator-roller system that converts wheel rotation into electrical energy, eliminating the need for external charging infrastructure and reducing energy transfer losses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of transferring energy from a stationary source to the moving vehicle, the system inverts the approach by generating energy from the vehicle's own motion, converting the vehicle from an energy consumer to an energy producer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Productivity

If a roller contacts the wheel groove to generate energy, then energy generation efficiency improves, but the roller must maintain constant contact with the moving wheel which creates mechanical stress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy generation efficiencyVSAvoidmechanical stress on roller

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible arm provides dynamic support to the roller, allowing it to adapt its position and maintain contact with the wheel groove while accommodating variations in wheel motion and reducing mechanical stress through controlled flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The downward force applied by the flexible arm can be adjusted to optimize the contact pressure between the roller and wheel groove, ensuring sufficient friction for energy generation while preventing excessive mechanical stress

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the flexible arm exerts a downward force on the roller, then the roller maintains contact with the wheel groove, but the flexible arm must bend or pivot which adds mechanical complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroller contact stabilityVSAvoidflexible arm mechanical structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible arm utilizes a flexible structure that can bend or pivot to maintain roller contact with the wheel groove, providing the necessary mechanical compliance through material flexibility rather than complex joint mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 efficient and convenient energy generation and transfer for electric vehicles while they are in motion, reducing the need for stationary charging and minimizing energy losses.

Implementation Method 1

a generator connected to the roller housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a flexible arm connected to the roller housing which exerts a downward force on the roller

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20250196632A1Flexible arm generator

Publication Date: 2025.06.19 MACALUSO ANTHONY

AI summary

The disclosure is directed to an apparatus or a system for generating energy in response to a vehicle wheel rotation. The apparatus or the system may include a roller configured to be positioned in substantial physical contact within a groove of a wheel of the vehicle. The roller may be configured to rotate in response to a rotation of the wheel. A flexible arm may be rotatably couplable to the roller such that rotation of the roller causes the flexible arm to rotate. The flexible arm may exert a downward force on the roller to increase the friction between the roller and the groove of the wheel. A first generator may be operably coupled to the flexible arm and configured to generate an electrical output based on the rotation of the flexible arm shaft and convey the electrical output to an energy storage device or vehicle motor.