Regenerative Towing Charge for EV Battery Range Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Long-distance travel with electric vehicles is cumbersome due to lower energy capacity of traction batteries compared to fuel tanks, requiring more frequent charging stops and longer recharging times, with limited charging infrastructure availability, especially on highways during peak periods.
Innovation Solution
A method where an electric vehicle is towed by a vehicle with an activated recuperative brake, allowing regenerative braking to recharge the battery without an electrical connection, utilizing the towing vehicle's motive force to maintain continuous recuperative braking during towing, thereby reducing reliance on fixed charging stations and infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If electric vehicles use traction batteries with lower energy capacity, then the vehicles can be driven electrically, but the vehicles require more frequent charging stops and longer recharging times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of towing (which creates drag and reduces towing vehicle efficiency) into a beneficial effect by activating the recuperation brake of the towed electric vehicle. The drag force from towing is transformed into regenerative braking energy that charges the electric vehicle's battery, turning a waste energy situation into a useful charging process.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric vehicle charges itself during the towing operation through its own recuperation brake system. The vehicle's motor-generator converts the mechanical energy from being towed into electrical energy to recharge its battery, eliminating the need for external charging infrastructure during transit.
2Reliability
If electric vehicles rely on fixed charging stations, then vehicles can be recharged, but the infrastructure availability is limited and vehicle throughput at charging stations is low
Solution Approach 1:
The towing vehicle serves multiple functions: it provides towing capability for vehicles that need it, and simultaneously acts as a mobile charging source for the towed electric vehicle. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated charging infrastructure, as the charging capability is integrated into the towing operation itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The towing connection (towing cable or hitch) serves as an intermediary that not only transmits mechanical force for towing but also enables the energy transfer from the towing vehicle's drag to the towed vehicle's battery through the recuperation brake system.
3Use of energy by moving object
If electric vehicles activate recuperation brake during towing, then the battery can be recharged, but the towing vehicle experiences additional drag
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful drag force that the towing vehicle experiences when pulling an electric vehicle with activated recuperation brake into a beneficial charging process. The energy that would be wasted as heat in conventional braking is instead captured and stored in the battery, making the energy loss acceptable and even advantageous from an overall system perspective.
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 approach reduces the need for additional charging infrastructure, decreases manufacturing costs, and enhances road utilization by allowing electric vehicles to recharge during towing, thus extending their range without the need for additional onboard charging systems.
Implementation Method 1
The publication NL 1,030,159 C1 discloses storing electrical energy that is generated during a braking process via brakes that act as electrical generators.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for recharging a battery of a vehicle. In one example, a method includes activating a recuperative brake during a tow operation of a vehicle. The vehicle is an electric vehicle replenishing a state of charge of a battery thereof without transferring electrical energy from a towing vehicle to the vehicle.