Vehicle Coupling Energy Transfer During Regenerative Braking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for controlling energy transfer in vehicle combinations, particularly those with electric dolly vehicles, are inefficient in managing excessive electrical energy generated during regenerative braking events, leading to suboptimal energy use across the vehicle combination.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines the amount of excessive energy from regenerative braking events in secondary vehicles and compares it with the energy levels of both vehicles, controlling the direction of energy transfer to optimize energy use by directing surplus energy from the secondary vehicle to the primary vehicle when necessary, using inductive or conductive couplings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If regenerative braking energy is captured from the second vehicle, then energy recovery is improved, but energy distribution efficiency deteriorates due to lack of coordination between vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the energy management systems of the first and second vehicles into a coordinated system. The control system integrates energy state information from both vehicles and their respective energy storage systems, enabling unified decision-making for energy transfer. This combination allows the system to simultaneously capture regenerative braking energy from the second vehicle and optimally distribute it to the first vehicle, resolving the contradiction between energy recovery and distribution efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control system continuously monitors energy states of both vehicles and adjusts energy transfer decisions accordingly. By comparing the energy state of the first vehicle with the regenerative braking energy available from the second vehicle, the system provides real-time feedback control that optimizes energy distribution. This feedback loop ensures that energy recovery is maximized while maintaining efficient distribution across the vehicle combination.
2Use of energy by moving object
If excessive energy is transferred from the second vehicle to the first vehicle, then energy utilization is improved, but system complexity increases due to coordination requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a control system that performs multiple functions: it monitors energy states of both vehicles, determines regenerative braking events, calculates energy transfer requirements, and executes control signals. This multi-functional approach improves energy utilization without proportionally increasing system complexity, as a single control system handles all these tasks rather than requiring separate specialized systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system utilizes existing data from the vehicles' own energy management systems to make transfer decisions. By leveraging already-available energy state information from both vehicles, the system achieves improved energy utilization without requiring additional complex sensing or measurement infrastructure. The system essentially serves itself by using its own monitored data to control energy transfer.
3Loss of energy
If regenerative braking energy is captured and stored, then energy waste is reduced, but energy storage capacity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts regenerative braking energy from the second vehicle and transfers it to the first vehicle's energy storage system. By taking out the excess energy at the point of generation (second vehicle) and relocating it to where it is needed (first vehicle), the system reduces energy waste without requiring both vehicles to have large storage capacities. This extraction and transfer approach allows efficient use of the first vehicle's storage system while capturing energy that would otherwise be wasted in the second vehicle.
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 enables improved handling and optimization of energy use within vehicle combinations by effectively transferring and utilizing excessive energy generated during braking events, enhancing overall energy efficiency and reducing energy waste.
Implementation Method 1
at least the electric machine of the second vehicle is operable in a traction mode and a generator mode for generating electrical energy during a regenerative braking event of the second vehicle
Implementation Method 2
The present disclosure is also applicable to inductive couplings between the first vehicle and the second vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to controlling transfer of electrical energy in a coupling between a first vehicle and a second vehicle of a vehicle combination, each of the first and second vehicles having an electric machine and an energy storage system, wherein at least the electric machine of the second vehicle is operable in a traction mode and a generator mode for generating electrical energy during a regenerative braking event of the second vehicle, the method comprising determining an amount of possible excessive energy from the braking event of the second vehicle, determining a total energy level of the second vehicle, determining a total energy level of the first vehicle, comparing the determined amount of possible excessive energy with the determined total energy levels of the first vehicle and second vehicle, and controlling direction of the transfer of electrical energy between the first and second vehicle based on the comparison.