Spring-Based Regenerative Braking Energy Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current regenerative braking systems are complex, add weight to vehicles, reduce fuel economy, and have reliability issues due to rapid charge cycles, which lead to inefficient energy recapture and shortened battery life.
Innovation Solution
A regenerative braking system utilizing a bank of springs with a coupler and control arrangement that selectively compresses and decompresses springs based on vehicle acceleration and deceleration, allowing for efficient energy storage and release without rapid on/off charge cycles, suitable for various vehicle types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a regenerative braking system utilizes a hydraulic system with a high pressure accumulator or a fly wheel with complex belt and pulley system to recapture energy, then energy recapture is achieved, but the system complexity increases and significant weight is added to the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the energy storage function from complex hydraulic or flywheel systems and implements it using a simpler spring-based mechanical storage device. The spring directly stores kinetic energy during braking without requiring intermediate hydraulic mechanisms or complex transmission components, thereby achieving energy recapture while significantly reducing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex hydraulic systems or flywheel mechanisms with a purely mechanical spring-based system. The spring's elastic properties provide direct kinetic energy storage and release, eliminating the need for hydraulic fluid, accumulators, or complex belt and pulley arrangements, thus simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Loss of energy
If a regenerative braking system utilizes a hydraulic system with a high pressure accumulator or a fly wheel with complex belt and pulley system to recapture energy, then energy recapture is achieved, but the weight of the vehicle increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the energy storage function from heavy hydraulic accumulators or flywheel assemblies and implements it using a lightweight spring-based mechanical storage device. The spring's high energy density per unit mass allows effective energy recapture while minimizing the added weight to the vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the energy storage system by using springs with optimized spring constants and configurations. This allows the system to store the required kinetic energy with minimal mass, as springs can achieve high energy storage density in a compact, lightweight package compared to hydraulic or flywheel systems.
3Use of energy by moving object
If an electrical regenerative braking system rapidly switches on and off a charging cycle for a battery, then energy charging is achieved, but the life cycle of the battery and associated electronic componentry is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the spring to preliminarily store kinetic energy during braking in a stable, non-cyclic manner. This preliminary mechanical energy storage avoids the need for rapid on/off charging cycles, as the spring continuously absorbs and holds energy without the stress of repeated charge/discharge transitions that damage batteries and electronic components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electrical charging system with rapid switching cycles with a mechanical spring-based energy storage system. The spring provides continuous, smooth energy absorption without the cyclic stress of electrical charging, thereby eliminating the reliability issues associated with rapid charge cycles while still achieving effective energy recovery.
4Use of energy by moving object
If an electrical regenerative braking system rapidly switches on and off a charging cycle for a battery, then energy charging is achieved, but the efficiency of the charge cycle is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuous energy storage action through the spring, which smoothly and continuously absorbs kinetic energy during braking without interruption or cycling. This continuous mechanical energy transfer is more efficient than rapid on/off electrical charging cycles, as it eliminates energy losses associated with switching transitions and maintains optimal energy transfer throughout the braking process.
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
The system provides a simplified, lightweight solution that maximizes energy efficiency by storing and releasing energy effectively, reducing the need for external fuel and extending battery life, while being adaptable to internal combustion, hybrid, or electric vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
at least one spring configured for mechanical communication with a drive train of the motor vehicle... the at least one spring is compressed by the coupler when the sensor senses the deceleration and the at least one spring is decompressed when the sensor senses the acceleration
Data Source
AI summary
A regenerative braking system is provided. The regenerative braking system includes at least one energy storage medium operably connected to a coupler. The coupler is operable to selectively couple and decouple the energy storage medium with a drive train of motor vehicle, or an electric generator, or a combination of both. A control arrangement governs the operation of the coupler. A sensor of the control arrangement is operable to determine information relating to the relative deceleration and acceleration of the motor vehicle and send said information to the controller. The controller is operable to determine the amount of energy storage medium or mediums to be coupled to the drive train via the coupler.