Road Conductor Segment Charging for Electric Vehicles in Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicles require lengthy charging times at stationary stations, leading to inefficiencies and infrastructure costs, and on-board chargers add weight and reduce payload without providing fast charging.
Innovation Solution
A system with vehicle-external charging devices connected to segmented electric conductors along road sections, allowing vehicles to be charged while driving, using DC power levels of at least 25 kW, and optimized for different vehicle types through dedicated charging devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If stationary charging stations are used, then vehicles can be charged, but charging time is significantly longer compared to fuelling with fossil fuels
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static charging (stationary stations) to dynamic charging (mobile charging vehicles that travel to customers). The charging vehicle moves to the customer's location, enabling charging without requiring the customer to travel to a charging station, thus reducing time loss and improving vehicle operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
A mobile charging vehicle acts as an intermediary between the power grid and the customer's vehicle. The charging vehicle carries energy storage devices and charging equipment, serving as a mobile power station that can deliver electricity to customers at their location, thereby solving the time loss associated with traveling to stationary charging stations.
2Ease of operation
If on-board chargers are installed in vehicles, then charging can be performed, but the charger adds weight and reduces payload capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The charging functionality is extracted from the vehicle itself and relocated to a separate mobile charging vehicle. Instead of equipping each vehicle with its own on-board charger (which adds weight), the charging capability is provided externally by a dedicated charging vehicle that travels to the customer's location and performs charging without adding weight to the customer's vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile charging vehicle serves as an intermediary that provides charging capability without being part of the customer's vehicle system. This external charging solution eliminates the need for the customer to install heavy on-board charging equipment, maintaining vehicle payload capacity while still enabling convenient charging.
3Productivity
If high-voltage fast charging technology is implemented, then charging speed is improved, but infrastructure costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses variable voltage and current parameters adapted to different vehicle types and battery states. The mobile charging vehicle can adjust charging parameters (voltage, current) based on the specific vehicle being charged, providing fast charging when needed while avoiding unnecessary infrastructure complexity for vehicles that don't require high-voltage charging.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging infrastructure is made dynamic and flexible rather than fixed and rigid. The mobile charging vehicle can move to different locations and adapt to different vehicle requirements, providing fast charging capability without requiring a widespread network of high-voltage charging stations. This dynamic approach reduces overall infrastructure complexity while maintaining high charging speeds where needed.
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
Enables fast charging of electric vehicles during travel, reducing infrastructure needs and vehicle weight, while optimizing charging capacity and cost based on vehicle type.
Implementation Method 1
at least two electric conductors extending along a road section on which the vehicle is adapted to travel
Implementation Method 2
a current collector adapted to connect electrically with said at least two electric conductors, the current collector being electrically connected to the electric energy storage device
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes electrically propellable road vehicle(s) and electric conductors extending along a road, at least one electric conductor being formed by at least two consecutive conductor segments. The road vehicle(s) includes at least one electric motor, an electric energy storage device and a current collector adapted to connect electrically with the electric conductor(s). The system includes at least two vehicle external charging devices, each connected to conductor segment(s), and charging device control means configured to control the charging device(s), said charging device control means provided with communication means. Each road vehicle includes vehicle control means and communication means adapted to connect with the communication means of the charging device control means to transmit a charge signal indicative of a desired charging current, the charging device control means configured to, in response, order a charging device to provide a current to the connected conductor segment(s) corresponding to the desired current.