Multi-Function Pedal Control for Acceleration and Regenerative Braking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicles lack efficient systems for seamlessly transitioning between acceleration and regenerative braking based on pedal depression, leading to suboptimal energy management and operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A refuse vehicle equipped with a drive motor, battery, and processing circuitry that utilizes a linear or non-linear relationship, determined by pedal depression, to switch between acceleration and regenerative braking modes, optimizing energy consumption and recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single pedal is used for both acceleration and braking control, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for multi-functional control logic
Solution Approach 1:
The single pedal is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls both acceleration and regenerative braking modes. The processing circuitry determines the operational mode based on the pedal depression amount, allowing one component to replace what would traditionally require separate pedals or controls, thereby improving ease of operation while the system manages the control complexity through intelligent software logic.
2Loss of energy
If regenerative braking is activated at higher pedal depression thresholds, then energy recovery efficiency is improved, but the loss of time increases due to delayed braking response
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the transition point threshold based on real-time operating conditions. The processing circuitry evaluates multiple factors including vehicle speed, battery state of charge, and road gradient to determine the optimal transition point. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to activate regenerative braking at the most efficient moment, maximizing energy recovery while maintaining appropriate response time by adapting to current operational context rather than using a fixed threshold.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing circuitry continuously monitors vehicle parameters and battery status, using this feedback to adjust the transition point for regenerative braking activation. The system learns from operating conditions and optimizes the threshold dynamically, ensuring that energy recovery is maximized while preventing excessive delays in braking response by incorporating real-time feedback from sensors monitoring vehicle state and environmental conditions.
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
Enhances energy management by allowing precise control over acceleration and regenerative braking, improving operational efficiency and reducing energy waste.
Implementation Method 1
the drive motor is configured to consume electrical energy to drive a tractive element to transport the refuse vehicle, or be back-driven by the tractive element to generate electrical energy and provide regenerative braking
Data Source
AI summary
A refuse vehicle includes a motor, a battery, a pedal, and processing circuitry. The motor consumes electrical energy transport the refuse vehicle, or is back-driven to generate electrical energy and provide regenerative braking. The processing circuitry obtains an amount of depression from the pedal, and compares the amount of depression to a transition point. In response to the amount of depression of the pedal exceeding the transition point, the processing circuitry uses a linear relationship and the amount of depression to operate the motor to provide a requested amount of acceleration for transportation. In response to the amount of depression of the pedal being less than the transition point, the processing circuitry uses a non-linear relationship and the amount of depression of the pedal to operate the motor to provide a requested amount of regenerative braking.