Range Extension via Gas Engine Generator in Electric Drive Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limited range and high acquisition costs of electric vehicles, coupled with lengthy charging times and inadequate charging infrastructure, hinder their widespread adoption, while hybrid drive systems with complex and expensive components exacerbate these issues.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle drive system where an electric motor is connected to a drive shaft, with an energy storage unit charged by a gas engine generator, optimizing the system to use inexpensive components and relying on fuel for extended range, rather than maximizing battery capacity, allowing the gas engine to continuously charge the energy storage unit while in operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the energy storage capacity is increased to extend the driving range, then the range is improved, but the vehicle weight and acquisition costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gas engine performs preliminary action by generating electrical energy during vehicle operation to recharge the energy storage unit, ensuring the battery is continuously replenished rather than relying solely on initial battery capacity. This preliminary energy generation action extends the effective driving range without requiring a larger battery.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas engine acts as an intermediary energy source between the energy storage unit and the electric motor. Instead of directly increasing battery capacity, the system introduces a gas engine-generator set that mediates energy supply, converting chemical energy from gas into electrical energy to recharge the battery, thereby extending range without proportionally increasing battery weight.
2Duration of action of moving object
If highly optimized components are used to improve efficiency and range, then the performance is improved, but the manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the energy supply parameters by introducing a gas engine-generator set that operates at optimized power output levels. Instead of relying on a single large battery, the system uses a combination of moderate-capacity battery and gas engine generation, adjusting the energy supply parameters to achieve extended range at lower cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy supply system is segmented into two independent parts: a base-level energy storage unit for immediate power needs and a gas engine-generator set for extended energy supply. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and selected from cost-effective options rather than requiring a single high-performance battery system.
3Duration of action of moving object
If a hybrid drive system with both electric motor and combustion engine is used to extend range, then the range is improved, but the transmission and clutch units become structurally complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the combustion engine from the direct drive train, placing it solely in the energy generation role rather than combining it with the electric motor in a complex power-split architecture. The gas engine is taken out of the mechanical transmission path and connected only to the generator, eliminating the need for complex clutch and transmission units while maintaining extended range capability.
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 approach reduces vehicle costs, increases range acceptance, and eliminates weight-related issues, enabling electric vehicles to achieve ranges comparable to conventional vehicles, independent of charging infrastructure, using conventional and cost-effective energy storage units.
Implementation Method 1
a gas engine (6), with the amount of fuel (7) carried along having an energy content that essentially determines the maximum range of the motor vehicle (1)
Implementation Method 2
an electrical energy store (4), which is electrically connected to the electric motor (2) for supplying electrical energy, and a gas engine (6) which is operatively connected to a generator (5)
Implementation Method 3
at least one electric motor (2) which is connected directly or indirectly to a drive shaft (3) of the motor vehicle (1) for the purpose of exclusively electric locomotion
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for driving a motor vehicle and a drive system for a motor vehicle, for the solely electro-motorized forward movement of which at least one electric motor is directly or indirectly connected to a drive shaft of the motor vehicle, which electric motor is supplied with electrical energy via an energy storage unit, which energy is supplied with electrical charge current by a generator, which generator is driven by a gas engine. The invention is characterized in that the gas engine is operated during forward movement of the motor vehicle such that an average power demand, which can be allocated to the electric motor, equals an average power output, which can be allocated to the gas engine, such that a charge state, which can be allocated to the energy storage unit, does not change or changes solely within a charge state range subject to tolerances.