Mobile Range Extender With Offboard Power Transfer for EV Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles face limitations due to the limited power density of batteries, resulting in reduced travel range compared to fueled vehicles, and there is a lack of infrastructure for delivering remotely-generated electric energy to vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A mobile energy supply system comprising a fuel source, an energy converter, and a transfer device mounted on a vehicle chassis, which converts fuel into electric energy and transfers it to a propulsion vehicle for powering its propulsion system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If batteries are used to store electric power on-board vehicles, then the vehicle can be electrically powered, but the travel range is reduced due to limited power density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from on-board energy storage (three-dimensional constraint within vehicle) to off-board energy generation (adding a mobile external dimension). The mobile energy supply system operates outside the vehicle's physical boundaries, converting fuel to electricity remotely and delivering it to the vehicle, thus overcoming the power density limitations of on-board batteries while extending travel range.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile energy supply system acts as an intermediary between traditional fuel sources and electric vehicle propulsion systems. It converts conventional fuel into electric energy through an energy converter and transfers this electricity to the vehicle, bridging the gap between fossil fuel infrastructure and electric vehicle requirements without modifying the vehicle's core architecture.
2Length of moving object
If infrastructure for delivering remotely-generated electric energy to vehicles is developed, then travel range can be extended, but currently such infrastructure is limited or nonexistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the energy supply function into separate modular components: a mobile energy supply system (containing fuel source and energy converter) and a vehicle with energy transfer capability. This segmentation allows the infrastructure to be distributed across multiple independent units rather than requiring a centralized complex system, reducing overall infrastructure complexity while enabling extended travel range.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile energy supply system introduces dynamic adaptability to the infrastructure. Rather than fixed charging stations, the system can move to different locations and vehicles as needed, making the infrastructure flexible and scalable. This dynamic approach reduces the complexity of deploying fixed infrastructure across all possible vehicle locations.
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
The mobile energy supply system extends the range of propulsion vehicles by providing electric energy where it is not otherwise available, overcoming the limitations of battery power and infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
The energy converter may be disposed onboard the vehicle chassis and may convert at least a portion of the supply of the fuel from the fuel source into electric energy
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile energy supply system may include a fuel source, an energy converter, and a transfer device. The fuel source may be disposed onboard a vehicle chassis and may hold a supply of a fuel. The energy converter may be disposed onboard the vehicle chassis and may convert at least a portion of the supply of the fuel from the fuel source into electric energy. The transfer device may be disposed onboard the vehicle chassis and be electrically couplable to a propulsion vehicle. The transfer device may transfer the electric energy from the energy converter offboard of the vehicle chassis and to the propulsion vehicle for powering a propulsion system of the propulsion vehicle.