Refuse Vehicle Range Extension Through Accessory Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refuse vehicles face limitations in transportation range due to the energy demands of their accessories, which can deplete the battery power quickly, leading to inefficiencies in completing collection routes.
Innovation Solution
A refuse vehicle equipped with a range extension system that includes a battery and a controller to manage the state of charge, limiting accessory operations when energy is low and activating a supplemental energy source when necessary to extend the vehicle's range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If accessories operate continuously to perform waste collection functions, then waste collection efficiency is improved, but battery energy is depleted quickly reducing transportation range
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the operational parameters of accessories based on battery state of charge. When battery charge is sufficient, accessories operate at full capacity for optimal waste collection. When charge drops below thresholds, the system modifies accessory operation modes or shuts them down to conserve energy, thereby extending transportation range while maintaining productivity when possible.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts accessory operation based on real-time battery state of charge monitoring. The system transitions between different operational states (full operation, limited operation, shutdown) depending on energy availability, creating a dynamic balance between waste collection efficiency and transportation range.
2Reliability
If battery power is used to drive all accessories, then accessory functionality is maintained, but transportation range is limited due to quick energy depletion
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and separates the energy supply function for accessories from the main battery power source. By introducing a supplemental energy source (such as a generator or fuel cell) that can independently power accessories, the system removes the constraint that battery energy must simultaneously fuel both transportation and accessory operations, thereby extending transportation range while maintaining accessory reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
A supplemental energy source acts as an intermediary between the battery and accessories. This mediator provides additional energy specifically for accessory operation when battery charge is low, allowing the battery to be reserved for transportation purposes while accessories maintain their functionality through the supplemental source.
3Reliability
If the vehicle completes full collection routes with all accessories operational, then service quality is improved, but energy consumption exceeds battery capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs preliminary assessment of battery state of charge before initiating accessory operations. By monitoring charge levels in advance and predicting energy requirements for upcoming routes, the system can plan accessory usage strategically, ensuring service quality is maintained when energy is sufficient while avoiding unnecessary accessory operation that would deplete battery capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
A range extension system for a refuse vehicle includes a battery, and a controller. The battery is configured to provide electrical energy for accessories of the refuse vehicle. The controller is configured to obtain a state of charge of the battery and limit operation of at least one of the accessories in response to the state of charge of the battery to extend a transportation range of the refuse vehicle.