Venturi Airflow Energy Harvesting for Extending EV Travel Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electric vehicles face limitations in extending travel range due to battery depletion, and existing energy harvesting techniques from natural resources like wind are not efficiently harnessed for kinetic energy generated during motion.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a Venturi system on electric vehicles to accelerate air flow, combined with electrical energy harvesting systems using alternators with carbon nanotube or graphene coils, triboelectric modules, and piezoelectric sheets to convert kinetic energy into electricity, maximizing energy harvesting from high-speed air flows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If conventional energy harvesting techniques are used in electric vehicles, then some wasted energy can be recovered, but the travel range extension is limited and energy harvesting efficiency from kinetic energy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical energy harvesting systems with a magnetic field-based energy conversion system. Magnets are embedded in the wheel structure and interact with conductive materials on the road surface, substituting mechanical contact-based harvesting with electromagnetic induction, thereby improving energy harvesting efficiency while extending travel range
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the energy harvesting system by using high-strength magnets with specific magnetic field strengths and configuring conductive road sections with optimized electrical properties. This parameter optimization enables more efficient conversion of kinetic energy to electrical energy, directly addressing the contradiction between travel range extension and energy harvesting efficiency
2Use of energy by moving object
If magnets and conductive materials are integrated into the wheel structure, then energy harvesting from kinetic motion is improved, but the weight of the moving object increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the wheel structure to serve multiple functions: the rim acts as both a structural component and a magnetic field interaction surface, while the hub serves as both a mechanical connection point and a conductor mounting location. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby minimizing weight increase while maintaining high energy harvesting efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies magnetic materials and conductive elements only in specific locations where they are most effective for energy harvesting, rather than uniformly throughout the entire wheel structure. This localized application optimizes the energy harvesting function while minimizing the additional weight added to the wheel assembly
3Use of energy by moving object
If conductive road sections are installed, then energy harvesting infrastructure is enabled, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the energy conversion function from the vehicle side and places it on the road infrastructure side. The conductive road sections and magnetic field interaction surfaces are installed in fixed locations along the roadway, removing the complexity of moving energy harvesting components from the vehicle while enabling continuous energy harvesting during normal driving
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic field interaction zones as an intermediary between the vehicle's kinetic energy and the electrical energy generation. These zones are created through the interaction between magnets on the vehicle and conductive materials on the road, providing a seamless energy transfer mechanism that simplifies the overall system architecture by eliminating direct mechanical or electrical connections between vehicle and infrastructure
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 significantly extends the travel range of electric vehicles by efficiently converting kinetic energy into electrical energy, reducing weight and increasing efficiency through advanced materials and designs, while allowing for on-board energy storage and use.
Implementation Method 1
increased air flow or wind based on Venturi effect in the moving transportation system
Implementation Method 2
a first alternator connected to one end of the pair of blades via a first shaft. The first alternator may include a magnet and coils and is configured to generate electricity based on rotary movement of the pair of blades
Implementation Method 3
triboelectric modules
Implementation Method 4
piezoelectric sheets to convert kinetic energy into electricity
Data Source
AI summary
A transportation vehicle may be equipped with electrical energy harvesting systems to harvest electrical energy for use. By way of example, in the transportation vehicle, a Venturi system may be used to receive an air flow and the speed of the air flow increase in a constricted area of the Venturi system, the air flow containing a large amount of kinetic energy. A plurality of electrical energy harvesting systems is disposed in the Venturi system and is configured to convert the kinetic energy contained in the accelerated air flow into electrical energy that can be used to power on-board electronics as well as one or more on-board batteries in the transportation vehicle, as the transportation vehicle is in motion.