Highway Pavement Magnetic Bars for In-Motion EV Charging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle charging infrastructure is limited, costly, and reliant on external power sources, leading to range anxiety and environmental impact, especially on highways, and lacks practicality and scalability.
Innovation Solution
Installation of magnetic bars embedded in pavement surfaces, paired with winding coils under vehicles, generates electricity as vehicles drive, eliminating the need for external power sources and charging stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional charging stations are constructed, then charging capability is improved, but infrastructure cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle's own motion serves as the power source through kinetic energy recovery. The vehicle generates electricity during braking and deceleration, storing it in the battery, eliminating the need for external charging infrastructure. This self-service approach resolves the contradiction by making the vehicle independent of complex charging stations.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging function is extracted from the infrastructure and transferred to the vehicle itself. Instead of providing charging capability through external stations, the vehicle contains its own energy generation and storage systems (brake energy recovery mechanism and battery), removing the need for complex external charging infrastructure.
2Length of moving object
If charging stations are built along highways, then travel range is extended, but construction cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle recovers kinetic energy during braking and deceleration on highways, converting it to electrical energy stored in the battery. This self-charging capability extends travel range without requiring construction of charging stations along highway routes, making deployment trivial.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy recovery process is segmented into discrete braking events throughout the journey. Each braking event contributes incrementally to charging the battery, accumulating sufficient energy for extended travel ranges without requiring continuous external charging infrastructure.
3Loss of energy
If brake energy recovery systems are installed, then energy efficiency is improved, but vehicle cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The energy normally lost during braking is converted into useful electrical energy through the brake energy recovery system. The harmful energy dissipation is transformed into a beneficial charging source, improving overall energy efficiency while the modular design keeps costs manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the energy conversion parameters during braking, converting mechanical energy that would be wasted as heat into electrical energy stored in the battery. This parameter change from energy dissipation to energy recovery improves efficiency while maintaining cost-effectiveness through proven technology.
4Loss of energy
If kinetic energy is recovered during braking, then energy loss is reduced, but vehicle complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake energy recovery system is merged with the existing braking and battery systems. The energy recovery mechanism integrates with the brake calipers and the generated electricity charges the vehicle's battery, combining multiple functions into a unified system that reduces energy loss without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake system serves multiple functions: traditional friction braking for stopping and energy recovery for charging. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems, as the brake assembly simultaneously performs deceleration and electricity generation, minimizing additional complexity while maximizing energy efficiency.
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
Enables continuous, emission-free charging of electric vehicles on highways without additional infrastructure, reducing costs and environmental impact, and enhancing travel convenience.
Implementation Method 1
by passing a copper wire through a magnetic field, voltage and current is generated in that wire, hence the principle the generators are built on
Data Source
AI summary
A power generating apparatus to charge electric Vehicles using unlimited number of magnetic bars embedded onto surface of pavements, to energize winding coil mounted beneath electric vehicles. The batteries are charged as electric vehicles drive down the Interstate or State Highways over magnetic bars at designated speed.