Hybrid Vehicle Electrical Architecture Self-Recharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hybrid vehicles face challenges in maintaining battery autonomy and recharging, particularly when the traction battery is fully discharged, requiring roadside immobilization for recharging.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a low-cost generating set comprising the internal combustion engine and on-board battery recharging alternator, with a voltage converter allowing bidirectional current flow between the traction and on-board batteries, enables the heat engine to recharge the traction battery, meeting energy needs during low-speed movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional hybrid vehicles use only roadside recharging when the traction battery is fully discharged, then the vehicle can maintain battery autonomy, but the vehicle must be immobilized for recharging which reduces productivity and increases loss of time
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle performs self-recharging through the on-board battery and alternator system when the traction battery is discharged, eliminating the need for external roadside recharging infrastructure and allowing continuous operation without immobilization
Solution Approach 2:
The on-board battery and alternator, originally designed for starter functions, are repurposed to provide traction power and energy storage functions, allowing the vehicle to operate in both conventional hybrid mode and emergency electric-only mode using the same components
2Adaptability or versatility
If the on-board battery and alternator are used to power the electric machine during low-speed movements, then the vehicle can operate without roadside recharging, but the electrical architecture becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The on-board battery and alternator system performs multiple functions including starter operation, traction power provision, and energy storage, allowing the vehicle to switch between conventional hybrid mode and emergency electric mode without adding dedicated components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of the on-board battery, alternator, and traction battery into a unified electrical architecture where power can flow bidirectionally between these components, eliminating the need for separate emergency recharging systems
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 allows hybrid vehicles to operate in an additional 'series hybrid' mode, utilizing the electric machine as a driving energy source, extending battery life and reducing the need for roadside recharging by enabling self-recharge through the heat engine, even at low speeds.
Implementation Method 1
the internal combustion engine drives an alternator for recharging an on-board battery
Implementation Method 2
the on-board battery and the traction battery are connected by a voltage converter making it possible to lower the voltage between the traction battery and the on-board battery
Implementation Method 3
the internal combustion engine and the on-board battery recharging alternator constitute a low-cost generating set
Data Source
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AI summary
Electrical architecture of a hybrid motor vehicle comprising a combustion engine (19) driving an alternator (21) that recharges a low-voltage on-board battery (22) connected to the starter (24) of the combustion engine and to the vehicle on-board network (24), an electric traction machine (7) powered by a high-voltage traction battery (18), and a hybrid transmission (17) having coupling means (5) that can occupy at least a first position in which the combustion engine (19) is uncoupled from the drive train connecting the electric machine (7) to the wheels, a second position in which the wheels are driven by the combustion engine (19) with or without top-up from the electric machine (7), and a third position in which the combustion engine (19) and the electric machine (7) are coupled in such a way as to combine their respective torques, bound for the wheels. This architecture is characterized in that the combustion engine (19) and the alternator (21) constitute an electricity generator set capable of supplying the energy requirements of the traction electric machine (7) in electric mode.