Retractable Wind Turbine for Electric Vehicle Battery Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for harnessing wind energy to charge electric vehicle batteries are limited in efficiency and complexity, requiring technical expertise and are not adaptable for consumer automotive vehicles, with few accessible charging stations and long recharging times contributing to slow public acceptance of electric vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes an internal wind turbine mounted on the vehicle's roof for harvesting wind energy while in motion and an external wind turbine for stationary charging, designed to be user-friendly and adaptable to various electric vehicles, with a housing and blade assembly that stabilizes against turbulence and allows for easy maintenance and upgrade.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If an internal wind turbine is mounted on the vehicle roof for harvesting wind energy while in motion, then wind energy harvesting efficiency is improved, but device complexity and aerodynamic drag increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wind turbine blades are designed to be retractable, allowing them to extend into the wind stream when wind energy harvesting is desired and retract when not needed. This dynamic configuration optimizes energy harvesting efficiency while minimizing aerodynamic drag and device complexity during vehicle operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The wind turbine system is divided into separate functional components: a stationary housing mounted on the vehicle roof, retractable blades that can be deployed or stowed, and a generator mechanism. This segmentation allows the system to harvest wind energy effectively when needed while reducing overall complexity and drag when the blades are retracted.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a wind turbine system is integrated into the vehicle, then battery charging capability is improved, but aerodynamic drag and vehicle performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The retractable blade design allows the vehicle to maintain high speed during normal operation with blades retracted, while enabling battery charging when blades are extended and wind conditions are favorable. This dynamic approach resolves the conflict between maintaining vehicle speed and enabling battery charging.
Solution Approach 2:
The wind turbine operates periodically based on wind conditions and vehicle speed, extending blades when wind energy is available and retracting when vehicle performance is prioritized. This periodic operation allows the system to charge the battery without continuously impacting vehicle speed and aerodynamic performance.
3Use of energy by moving object
If existing wind devices are used with electric automobiles, then wind energy harvesting is achieved, but technical expertise requirements and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wind turbine system is designed as a universal platform that can be adapted to various electric automobile models. The modular housing and standardized mounting interface allow for relatively simple installation across different vehicle types, reducing the technical expertise required compared to custom-integrated solutions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses conventional, readily available components such as standard wind turbine blades, off-the-shelf generators, and common mounting hardware. This approach avoids the need for specialized custom-manufactured parts, thereby simplifying installation and reducing the level of technical expertise required.
4Adaptability or versatility
If wind energy harvesting is implemented, then charging infrastructure requirements are reduced, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wind turbine system is designed to be self-contained and self-maintaining where possible. The retractable blade mechanism includes self-lubricating bearings and self-adjusting pitch control that respond to wind conditions without external intervention. This reduces maintenance requirements while enabling charging independence from external infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The generator and electrical components are extracted as separate, modular units that can be independently accessed and maintained. This modular design allows for easier repair and maintenance of the electrical systems without requiring disassembly of the entire wind turbine assembly, thereby improving ease of repair while maintaining charging versatility.
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
Efficiently harvests wind energy to charge vehicle batteries while in motion or stationary, reducing the need for technical expertise and increasing accessibility, thus promoting public acceptance of electric vehicles by addressing range and charging time limitations.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of turbine blades distributed about the periphery of the hub and extending radially away from the hub normal to the turbine shaft axis
Implementation Method 2
a lid that extends longitudinally from a front end to an opposite rear end thereof
Data Source
AI summary
A system for harnessing wind energy to charge the electric storage battery of a vehicle, whether the vehicle is parked or in motion. While the vehicle is being driven, a roof-mounted, internal wind turbine harnesses wind energy and causes rotation of the shaft of an electric generator mounted to an interior surface of the roof. For charging the battery while the vehicle is parked, an external wind turbine is storable in the vehicle when not in use and attaches to the internal wind turbine. Cups of the kind used in cup anemometers are attached to radial arms that extend from an external shaft of the external wind turbine and catch ambient wind currents while the vehicle is parked, causing the external shaft and the generator shaft to rotate.