Concrete Mixer Auxiliary Device Electric Power Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Concrete mixer trucks face limitations in operating flexibility and autonomy due to reliance on diesel engines for both movement and drum rotation, leading to increased noise and emissions, and existing electric motor solutions have reduced flexibility and autonomy.
Innovation Solution
A concrete mixer truck equipped with an auxiliary device featuring a power take-off system, alternator, electric energy accumulator, and reversible energy conversion means, allowing the vehicle and drum to be moved using electric energy independently of the diesel engine, with kinetic energy recovery to recharge batteries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the heat engine is kept functioning to move the mixer truck and rotate the drum, then the vehicle can be moved and concrete mixed, but noise and noxious gases are emitted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power transmission system by introducing a clutch that can disconnect the heat engine from the drum rotation system. This allows the vehicle movement function (driven by heat engine) to be separated from the drum rotation function (driven by electric motor), enabling the heat engine to be switched off during loading and unloading operations while maintaining vehicle mobility capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional hydraulic motor system (directly driven by heat engine) with an electric motor system powered by a battery. This substitution allows drum rotation to be decoupled from heat engine operation, eliminating the need to run the heat engine solely for drum rotation, thereby reducing noise and emissions during stationary operations.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If an electric motor is used to drive the drum with energy from generator or batteries, then noise and emissions are reduced, but operating flexibility and functioning autonomy are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional power system where the heat engine serves dual purposes: driving the vehicle (through movement unit) and charging the battery (through generator). The battery provides auxiliary power for drum rotation and vehicle movement. This universal system can adapt to different operational modes: heat engine only, battery only, or combined operation, thereby maintaining operating flexibility while reducing emissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic power management system where the clutch can selectively engage or disengage the heat engine from the drum drive system. This dynamic control allows the system to adapt its configuration based on operational needs: connected when heat engine power is needed for drum rotation, disconnected when battery power suffices or when heat engine should be off for emissions reduction.
3Power
If the heat engine is used for both vehicle movement and drum rotation, then power availability is sufficient, but the system lacks independence in power sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power transmission path by introducing a clutch between the heat engine and the drum drive system. This segmentation creates independent power pathways: the heat engine can drive the vehicle through the movement unit, while simultaneously or alternatively, the battery can drive the electric motor for drum rotation, providing power source independence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the battery as an intermediary energy storage device between the generator and the electric motor. This intermediary allows the system to decouple power generation from power consumption, enabling the drum to rotate using stored electrical energy independent of heat engine operation, thereby providing power source independence while maintaining sufficient power availability.
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
Significantly reduces noise and emissions by enabling the diesel engine to be switched off during operation, enhancing operating flexibility and autonomy by utilizing stored electric energy for both vehicle movement and drum rotation.
Implementation Method 1
an alternator (35) selectively connectable to the heat engine (20) and to the movement unit (14)
Implementation Method 2
an electric motor (31) selectively fed by the electric energy generating unit (30, 40) and mechanically connected to the rotating drum (16)
Implementation Method 3
at least one kinetic/mechanical energy recovery device (28), connected to the at least one accumulator (40) so as to transfer continuous electric energy to it
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A concrete mixer truck comprises a vehicle (11) provided with a heat engine (20) and a concrete mixer (15) having a rotating drum (16) and an auxiliary device (29) provided with a unit for generating electric energy (30) that selectively feeds an electric motor (31) connected to the rotating drum (16). The electric energy generating unit (30) comprises at least an alternator (35) selectively connectable to the heat engine (20) and to a movement unit (14) of the vehicle (11) by means of a gearbox (24) and a power take-off (36, 37) positioned between the clutch (23) of the vehicle (11) and the gearbox (24). The alternator (35) is configured to convert mechanical energy into alternate electric energy and vice versa. The electric energy generating unit (30) also comprises at least one accumulator (40) and reversible conversion means (41) of electric energy, connected to the accumulator (40) and to the alternator (35) in order to selectively take continuous electric energy from the former and supply alternate electric energy to the latter, to move the drive wheels (27) of said movement unit (14), or to convert the alternate electric energy produced by the alternator (35) into continuous electric energy to be transferred to the accumulator (40).