Modular Regenerative Power Units for EV Battery Recharging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing regenerative power systems for electric vehicles are inefficient in converting kinetic energy into stored electrical energy, leading to limited battery life and inconvenient recharging, as they rely heavily on regenerative braking and integrated energy storage methods that cannot be externally charged or rearranged.
Innovation Solution
A Speed Reduction Power Unit system that includes a main power unit connected to the vehicle battery and transmission, converting kinetic energy into electrical potential, and secondary power units at each wheel, which convert braking energy into electrical energy and can be manually or externally charged, allowing for modular energy storage and recharging of the primary battery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If regenerative braking is used to convert kinetic energy to electrical energy, then battery charge is increased, but the energy conversion efficiency is low and only provides small charge increments
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the energy recovery system into multiple independent power units distributed at different locations in the vehicle (front wheel, rear wheel, transmission). Each unit independently converts kinetic energy to electrical energy, allowing parallel operation that increases total energy conversion efficiency and battery charge increment compared to single regenerative braking system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If energy storage means are fully integrated into the vehicle, then the vehicle structure is compact, but the energy storage units cannot be rearranged or removed for external charging
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the energy storage system dynamically configurable by providing removable power units that can be relocated within the vehicle or externally charged. The power units include removable batteries or capacitors that can be detached from the vehicle and charged externally, then reinstalled to transfer energy to the main battery, enabling flexible energy management beyond fixed integrated storage.
3Loss of time
If the battery is recharged at a power station or wall outlet, then the battery is recharged, but it requires locating charging means and takes long time to fully recharge
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary energy storage by capturing and storing kinetic energy during vehicle operation in removable power units distributed throughout the vehicle. These pre-charged power units can then be quickly swapped or connected to recharge the main battery, eliminating the need to locate external charging stations and reducing overall recharging time compared to traditional plugging-in methods.
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 system effectively extends the operational range of electric vehicles by efficiently converting kinetic and braking energy into stored electrical energy, providing a convenient and flexible means of recharging the vehicle battery, reducing reliance on external charging stations and enhancing battery life.
Implementation Method 1
a primary motor adapted to convert kinetic energy from the transmission to stored electrical potential energy for recharging the vehicle battery
Implementation Method 2
Each secondary power unit includes a secondary motor adapted to convert wasted braking energy to electrical potential energy, and such energy may be stored in a secondary battery
Data Source
AI summary
A speed reduction power unit system includes a main power unit operably connected to a vehicle battery and operably connected to a vehicle transmission via a driveshaft. The main power unit includes a primary motor adapted to convert kinetic energy from the transmission to stored electrical potential energy for recharging the vehicle battery. Secondary power units are operably connected to each wheel. Each secondary power unit includes a secondary motor adapted to convert energy to electrical potential energy. The secondary power unit engages to slow the vehicle and generate electrical energy when the vehicle brake is activated. Each secondary power unit is operably connected to the vehicle battery, such that each secondary unit can recharge the vehicle battery. The secondary power units can include internal batteries and may be removable and independently recharged, then reconnected to the system as needed to provide electrical energy to the primary vehicle battery.