Powered Towable Vehicle Speed Synchronization for Heavy BEV Towing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a growing need for novel power systems that can supply sufficient power to electric propelled towing and towed vehicles, especially when towing heavy loads or trailers, as existing battery electric vehicles (BEVs) often struggle to maintain safe highway speeds and control under such conditions.
Innovation Solution
The development of a self-powered towable vehicle equipped with an electric motor, internal energy storage unit, and energy interconnection and distribution unit, allowing it to receive power from a primary vehicle and maintain synchronized speed and braking, thereby enabling BEVs to provide backup power and potentially tow another vehicle in emergency situations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If BEVs use larger and higher capacity batteries to provide sufficient power for towing heavy loads, then the power output is improved, but the vehicle weight increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The power system is divided into two independent battery units: a primary battery in the towing vehicle and a secondary battery in the towable vehicle. This segmentation allows each battery to be smaller and lighter than a single large battery would be, while collectively providing sufficient power for heavy load towing through coordinated operation of both units.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary battery is placed within the towable vehicle, which itself is being towed by the primary vehicle. This nested arrangement allows the second battery to be transported without adding significant weight to the towing system, as it is carried along rather than requiring additional towing capacity.
2Duration of action of moving object
If BEVs are designed with larger batteries to meet typical driving requirements, then the cruising range is improved, but the battery weight represents a considerable portion of the entire vehicle weight
Solution Approach 1:
The total energy storage requirement is divided between two separate battery systems in the towing and towable vehicles. This allows each battery to be optimized for its specific role and reduces the weight burden on each individual vehicle while maintaining adequate cruising range for the combined system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If BEVs attempt to tow heavy trailers to meet user needs, then the towing capability is improved, but control and safety are compromised due to inadequate power delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The towing system is segmented into an active towing vehicle with its own battery and motor, and a powered towable vehicle with its own battery and motor. This allows the towable vehicle to contribute to its own propulsion and control, improving overall system reliability and safety while enabling heavy load towing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The towable vehicle is equipped with its own battery and motor system that can independently control its wheel members. This self-service capability allows the towable vehicle to maintain control and safety without placing excessive demands on the towing vehicle's power delivery system.
4Speed
If the wheel member is in powered mode to maintain synchronized speed with the primary vehicle, then the speed matching is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel members are designed to be selectively movable between unpowered (free rotating) mode and powered mode. This dynamic configuration allows the system to optimize energy consumption by using power only when necessary for speed synchronization or when additional propulsion is needed, rather than continuously consuming energy.
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
This solution allows BEVs to effectively provide supplementary power and maintain control when towing heavy loads, enhancing safety and reducing the risk of accidents by ensuring continuous operation and stable speed matching with the lead vehicle.
Implementation Method 1
The electric motor is coupled to and configured to selectively drive the wheel member
Implementation Method 2
The internal energy storage unit is in electrical communication with the electric motor
Data Source
AI summary
A self-powered towable vehicle has an energy interconnection and distribution unit configured for electrical communication with a power source and an onboard computer of a primary vehicle. A wheel member of the self-powered towable vehicle is selectively movable between an unpowered mode and a powered mode. In the unpowered mode, the wheel member is free rotating. In the powered mode, the wheel member is driven. The energy interconnection and distribution unit is also configured to coordinate movement between the primary vehicle and the self-powered towable vehicle while the primary vehicle is moving. The self-powered towable vehicle is configured to move at a same speed as the primary vehicle when the wheel member of the self-powered towable vehicle is in the powered mode.