Modular Vehicle Power Source System for Weight Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles often have either excessive or insufficient power sources, leading to increased weight and power consumption, and existing electric vehicles face limitations in travel range and charging infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for a vehicle to dynamically adjust the number of power sources, such as batteries, based on the destination and operational needs, using a securing member for easy attachment and removal, allowing only the necessary power sources to be used, thereby optimizing weight and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple power sources are installed in the vehicle, then the power availability is improved, but the vehicle weight increases leading to higher power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of active power sources based on real-time power consumption rates and remaining power levels. The controller monitors usage patterns and activates additional batteries only when necessary, transforming a static power system into a dynamic one that adapts to changing operational demands, thereby optimizing the balance between power availability and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by varying the number of active power sources based on monitored power consumption rates. When the power consumption rate exceeds a threshold or remaining power falls below a threshold, the system transitions from using fewer batteries to using more batteries, thereby adjusting system parameters to resolve the contradiction between power availability and consumption.
2Duration of action of moving object
If multiple power sources are installed in the vehicle, then the travel range is extended, but the vehicle weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power source system is segmented into multiple independent battery units that can be individually activated. Rather than requiring all batteries to be installed and carried at all times, the system divides the power source functionality into separable modules, allowing the vehicle to carry the necessary power capacity while only activating the number of batteries needed for each specific trip, thereby extending range without permanently increasing weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically determines the number of power sources to activate based on the specific trip requirements and monitored power consumption. This dynamic approach allows the vehicle to optimize its weight configuration for each journey, activating only the necessary number of batteries to achieve the desired travel range while minimizing unnecessary weight.
3Adaptability or versatility
If power sources are readily removable from the vehicle, then the flexibility in power management is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The securing members are designed with universal functionality to simultaneously perform multiple tasks: mechanically securing batteries to the vehicle frame, providing electrical connectivity between batteries and the vehicle's power system, and enabling rapid attachment and detachment. This multi-functional design achieves power management flexibility without proportionally increasing device complexity, as a single component fulfills multiple roles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts the securing and connection functionality into separate, dedicated members that can be easily attached and removed. By taking out the complexity into specialized securing members with standardized interfaces, the system achieves flexible power management while containing the complexity in modular, manageable components rather than distributing it throughout the entire power system.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle and method of operating a vehicle are provided. The method includes providing a vehicle and at least one drive element in operable communication with the vehicle for providing movement to the vehicle. A plurality of power sources are also provided for providing power to the drive element along with at least one power source securing member for releasably securing a desired number of power sources to the vehicle. The method further includes connecting a desired number of power sources to the vehicle via the securing member to provide power to the drive element, each power source being readily removable from the vehicle so that only the desired number of power sources are used for a particular vehicle use to minimize the weight and therefore power consumption of the vehicle.