Geofenced Electric Axle Decoupling for Restricted Vehicle Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicles with electric machines face issues such as potential damage during towing due to failure to disconnect the prop shaft, interference with sensitive electrical equipment, and restrictions in areas where electric propulsion is not permitted, leading to increased emissions.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle with an electrically driven wheel axle and a control unit that temporarily disables electric propulsion based on geographical location, using mechanical decoupling or lifting wheels off the ground, to avoid damage and comply with restrictions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If electric propulsion is used to reduce emissions, then environmental friendliness is improved, but the vehicle cannot operate in areas where electric propulsion is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The electric machine's operational status is dynamically changed based on geographical location. The control unit receives positional data and automatically adjusts the electric machine's state (enabled/disabled) according to whether the vehicle is in a restricted area, allowing the propulsion system to adapt to different operational environments
Solution Approach 2:
The electric machine is temporarily extracted or disconnected from the propulsion system when entering restricted areas. The coupling between the electric machine and wheel axle is disengaged, effectively removing the electric propulsion contribution in areas where it is not permitted
2Ease of operation
If the electric machine remains coupled during towing, then towing capability is maintained, but damage to high-voltage components may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of towing conditions by monitoring wheel speed differences between the towing vehicle and towed vehicle. When towing is detected, the control unit proactively disables the electric machine and disengages the coupling before towing begins, preventing potential damage to high-voltage components
Solution Approach 2:
A control unit acts as an intermediary between the electric machine and the propulsion system. It monitors operational conditions and mediates the coupling/disengagement of the electric machine based on detected scenarios such as towing, ensuring safe operation in different modes
3Power
If the electric machine operates near sensitive electrical equipment, then propulsion function is maintained, but interference with sensitive equipment may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The control system uses feedback from positional data to determine when the vehicle is near sensitive electrical equipment. Based on this feedback, the control unit automatically adjusts the electric machine's operation state, disabling it when necessary to prevent interference while maintaining propulsion when safe
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle comprising an electrically driven wheel axle having at least two road wheels, an electric machine for providing propulsion power to the wheel axle, and a control unit configured to obtain positional data of the vehicle, the positional data containing information about the geographical location of the vehicle or the location of the vehicle relative to a reference point/area. Upon determination by the control unit that the vehicle's current location is a location where propelling by providing electric propulsion to the wheel axle is not permitted, the control unit is configured to generate an output signal which automatically causes, or which suggests via a user interface notification to cause, a temporary disablement of the wheel axle and the at least two road wheels from providing a contribution to the propulsion power that propels the vehicle. A method of controlling a vehicle is also disclosed.