Tire Heating Control Using Excess Power to Cut Rolling Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrically propelled vehicles face challenges in increasing their operating range due to resistive loads such as rolling resistance and air drag resistance, which negatively affect the vehicle's efficiency during operation.
Innovation Solution
A tyre heating system that utilizes excess electric power generated by the vehicle's electric power system to heat the tyres, reducing rolling resistance and increasing the vehicle's operating range. The system includes an electric power system, an energy storage system, a tyre heating arrangement, and a control unit that manages the energy distribution based on the energy power absorption capability of the energy storage system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If excess electric power is dissipated, then energy loss is reduced, but operating range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful dissipation of excess electric power into a beneficial effect by redirecting it to heat the tyres. The excess power that would otherwise be wasted is now used to reduce rolling resistance through tyre heating, thereby extending the operating range of the electric vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the tyres by heating them using excess electric power. This temperature increase modifies the tyre properties to reduce rolling resistance, which in turn improves the vehicle's energy efficiency and extends its operating range.
2Productivity
If tyre heating is implemented, then rolling resistance is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the electric power system multi-functional by enabling it to perform both its primary function (propelling the vehicle) and a secondary function (heating the tyres when excess power is available). This eliminates the need for a separate dedicated heating system, thereby reducing overall system complexity while still achieving tyre heating benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's own excess electric power to heat its tyres, making the heating process self-sufficient without requiring external energy sources or additional complex infrastructure. The vehicle serves its own heating needs using otherwise wasted energy.
3Use of energy by moving object
If excess electric power is used for tyre heating, then operating range is increased, but energy storage capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic power management strategy where the control unit continuously monitors the energy storage system's state of charge and adjusts the power distribution in real-time. When the energy storage system is full, excess power is redirected to tyre heating; when it has capacity, power is stored. This dynamic adjustment optimizes both operating range and energy storage utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary assessment of the energy storage system's absorption capability before deciding whether to charge or heat tyres. The control unit evaluates the state of charge and determines the optimal power distribution strategy in advance, preventing overcharging and ensuring that tyre heating occurs only when appropriate.
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 tyre heating system effectively reduces rolling resistance by heating the tyres, thereby increasing the operating range of electrically propelled vehicles. By utilizing excess electric power for tyre heating, the system enhances the vehicle's efficiency and mileage without dissipating the excess energy.
Implementation Method 1
a tyre heating arrangement electrically connected to the electric power system, the tyre heating arrangement being configured to heat a tyre of a wheel of the vehicle by electric power received from the electric power system
Data Source
AI summary
A tire heating system for a vehicle, the heating system comprising an-electric power system configured to assume at-energy generating mode, an energy storage system electrically connected to the electric power system, a tire heating arrangement electrically connected to the electric power system and configured to heat tire of a wheel of the vehicle by electric power received from the electric power system, and control unit connected to the electric power system and to the energy storage system, the control unit comprising control circuitry configured to determine energy power absorption capability of the energy storage system; compare the energy power absorption capability with the electric power generated by the electric power system when electric power system assumes the energy generating mode; and control the electric power system to feed electric power to tire heating arrangement when the electric power generated in energy generating mode exceeds energy power absorption capability.