Rear Axle Level Adjusting Device for Electric Utility Vehicle Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrically operated utility vehicles face challenges in optimizing load distribution and recovery mode across rear axles, particularly when navigating gradients, which affects traction and battery charging efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An adjusting device that identifies a recovery mode by detecting downward travel and gradient, adjusts the level and load of rear axles to optimize battery charging, ensuring equal load distribution and sufficient tire roll resistance across both axles, using a gradient sensor and pressure sensors for precise load detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the level adjustment system continuously adjusts the level to maintain identical load on both rear axles, then load distribution is optimized, but the recovery mode cannot be activated when descending gradients
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two operational modes: normal mode where load distribution is maintained identically on both axles, and recovery mode where the system actively optimizes for energy regeneration during downhill travel. This dynamic adaptation allows the vehicle to respond to different operational conditions (level ground vs. downward gradient) by changing the control strategy for the level adjustment system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the control parameters of the level adjustment system based on detected conditions. When a downward gradient is detected and recovery mode is activated, the system modifies how the level adjustment operates to enable both axles to contribute to recovery, rather than maintaining strictly identical load distribution. This parameter change allows the system to optimize for energy regeneration instead of load balance.
2Device complexity
If only one rear axle is used for recovery, then the system is simpler to control, but the recovery efficiency is reduced when multiple small electric motors are available
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle's rear propulsion system is segmented into multiple independent electric motors, each associated with a rear axle. The control system can selectively activate and coordinate these segmented motors during recovery mode, allowing the vehicle to utilize the combined regenerative capability of multiple motors rather than relying on a single motor, thereby improving overall recovery efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system merges the operational output of multiple electric motors during recovery mode by coordinating their operation to simultaneously generate electrical energy. This combining of multiple motor outputs achieves greater total power recovery than any single motor could provide individually, optimizing the use of available regenerative resources.
3Speed
If the gradient sensor triggers recovery mode on short descents, then responsiveness is improved, but excessive switching occurs causing system instability
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of gradient conditions using the gradient sensor and compares them against predefined thresholds and duration criteria before activating recovery mode. This preliminary assessment action prevents premature or spurious activation on minor gradient variations, ensuring that recovery mode is only engaged when conditions warrant sustained operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors gradient conditions and provides feedback to the control logic to determine whether to maintain or deactivate recovery mode. This feedback mechanism allows the system to respond dynamically to changing conditions, preventing excessive switching by deactivating recovery mode when gradient conditions no longer meet activation criteria, thereby maintaining system stability.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjusting apparatus for an electrically operated utility vehicle, which has a front axle; at least two rear axles; at least one electric motor for driving the rear axles; and a battery to supply the electric motor with electrical power; including: an adjusting device to adjust a level of at least one of the rear axles from the roadway; in which the adjusting device is configured to identify a recovery mode in which the electric motor functions as a generator and is driven by the two rear axles in order to charge the battery; and in which the adjusting device is configured, when a recovery mode has been identified, to adjust the level and a load of the at least one adjustable rear axle so that the recovery is optimized. Also described is a related method and an electrically operated utility vehicle.