Autonomous Mobile Energy Units for Flexible Electric Freight Range

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electric vehicles for freight transport are oversized for many applications, leading to inefficiencies in energy consumption and labor requirements, with high unladen weights and empty journeys contributing to environmental impact and logistical challenges.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a first vehicle with an electric drive and multiple mobile units, each with its own electric drive and energy storage, allowing for autonomous navigation and energy sharing, optimizing energy use and reducing human labor through communication devices and swarm intelligence for flexible logistics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If electric vehicles are designed for a specific maximum range/load, then the energy storage capacity is sufficient for that range, but the vehicle becomes oversized for many applications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy storage capacityVSAvoidapplication flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the energy storage function into separate mobile energy storage units that can be independently attached or detached from the vehicle. This allows the vehicle to have different energy storage capacities depending on the specific application requirements, eliminating the need for an oversized fixed energy storage system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The energy storage configuration becomes dynamic rather than static. The vehicle can adapt its energy storage capacity by attaching or detaching mobile energy storage units based on the specific task, range requirements, and load conditions, providing flexibility across different applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Duration of action of moving object

If larger battery capacities are required for covering long distances and/or transporting heavy loads, then the maximum range is extended, but the unladen weight of the vehicle increases drastically

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaximum rangeVSAvoidunladen weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The energy storage system is segmented into the vehicle's base energy storage and separate mobile energy storage units. This allows the vehicle to carry only the minimum necessary energy storage for its base configuration, with additional capacity available through attachable units when long distances or heavy loads are required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Mobile energy storage units act as intermediaries between the vehicle and fixed energy storage infrastructure. These units can be attached to the vehicle for extended range and then detached and recharged at infrastructure points, allowing the vehicle to achieve long range without permanently carrying heavy battery packs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If conventional freight transport uses larger vehicles for long-distance transport, then transport capacity is sufficient, but additional human labor is required for transfer processes and final delivery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport capacityVSAvoidlabor requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile energy storage units are equipped with autonomous navigation capabilities through communication devices that receive and process destination information. This allows them to independently navigate to their destinations and perform deliveries without requiring human operators for each unit, significantly reducing labor requirements while maintaining transport capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If the logistics industry accepts empty runs for freight transport, then delivery coverage is expanded, but energy consumption increases due to heavy vehicle weight

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery coverageVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The transport system is segmented into a base vehicle and detachable mobile energy storage units. During empty runs or return journeys, the vehicle can operate with minimal or no attached energy storage units, dramatically reducing weight and energy consumption while maintaining the ability to provide full capacity when needed for actual deliveries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4494914A1Universal mobile unit system, method of controlling the same and method of providing infrastructure

Publication Date: 2025.01.22 HÖLLWART JOHANN

AI summary

The invention relates to a system comprising at least one first vehicle, in particular a road-legal and/or off-road capable land, water, or air vehicle, the first vehicle comprising at least one first electric drive and a communication device, and at least one mobile unit, preferably several mobile units, wherein the mobile units each comprise a second electric drive and an energy storage device for supplying the second electric drive (with electrical energy), and wherein the communication device is configured at least to transmit information concerning an individual destination to the mobile units, and wherein the mobile units are configured to reach the individual destination independently.