Mobile Power Supply Coupler for On-Site Work Vehicle Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large worksites pose challenges for efficiently managing the charging of electric work vehicles, as they may operate far from charging units, and operators may not know the location of charging points, leading to wasted time and potential inability to charge due to points being in use, low on charge, or otherwise unusable.
Innovation Solution
A mobile electric power supply unit that can be transported by a transporter vehicle to different locations on a worksite, equipped with a power supply coupler that allows it to be coupled to the transporter vehicle, enabling it to provide power directly to electric work vehicles or replace their batteries, thus minimizing downtime and ensuring charging can occur wherever needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If charging points are fixed at distant locations on large worksites, then charging infrastructure is established, but electric work vehicles risk becoming stranded when battery charge is insufficient to reach the charging unit
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the electric work vehicle to a fixed charging point, the patent inverts the approach by bringing the charging unit to the work vehicle's location. The charging unit is mounted on a transporter vehicle that can travel to where the work vehicle is stationed, eliminating the need for the work vehicle to conserve charge for travel to a charging point.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging infrastructure transitions from static fixed charging points to a dynamic mobile charging unit. The charger is mounted on a transporter vehicle that can dynamically reposition itself to different locations on the worksite, adapting to the moving needs of electric work vehicles and providing charging services wherever required.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fixed charging points are distributed across large worksites, then charging coverage is improved, but operators waste time searching for available charging points and may arrive at unusable points
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements communication between the charging unit and work vehicles to provide real-time information about charging availability, location, and status. This feedback mechanism allows operators to know the exact location and availability of the charging unit before traveling, eliminating wasted time searching for and arriving at unusable charging points.
Solution Approach 2:
A communication system acts as an intermediary between the charging unit and work vehicles, transmitting information about charging status, location, and availability. This intermediary enables informed decision-making by operators, allowing them to navigate directly to available charging points without unnecessary searching.
3Adaptability or versatility
If charging points are made mobile to increase flexibility, then charging can be provided at various locations, but the complexity of the charging system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the charging unit with a transporter vehicle into an integrated mobile charging system. By merging the charging functionality with the transport capability, the system achieves location flexibility without requiring separate complex infrastructure for charging and transportation, thereby managing system complexity more effectively.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile electric power supply unit for supplying power to an electric work vehicle comprises a battery. The power supply unit comprises a power supply coupler configured to couple to a transporter vehicle, wherein the power supply unit is configured to be transported by the transporter vehicle when the power supply coupler is coupled to the transporter vehicle.