Wheel-Integrated Traction Motor for Low-Cost ICE Conversion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines (ICE) face challenges in efficiently converting to electrical traction systems, particularly due to design limitations and high retrofit costs.
Innovation Solution
The integration of self-contained traction systems into vehicle components such as wheels, which include energy harvesting components, electric motors, energy storage, power electronics, and sensors, allowing for the conversion of ICE vehicles into hybrid or electric vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If internal combustion engines are converted to electrical traction systems, then fuel efficiency and emissions are improved, but retrofit costs and design complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrical traction motor, energy storage system, power electronics, and control systems into an integrated wheel assembly. This merging of components reduces the overall system complexity and eliminates the need for separate ICE components, transmission, and drivetrain, thereby improving fuel efficiency while managing design complexity through consolidation.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a structural wheel component and a complete electrical traction system with motor, energy storage, and control functions. This multi-functionality allows the system to replace the entire ICE powertrain while maintaining wheel functionality, thus improving fuel efficiency without proportionally increasing design complexity.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If internal combustion engines are converted to electrical traction systems, then emissions are reduced, but retrofit costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical traction system is divided into modular components (motor, energy storage, power electronics, control systems) that can be manufactured separately and assembled into the wheel assembly. This segmentation enables standardized production of each module, reducing manufacturing costs and making retrofitting more economically feasible while achieving emission reductions.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel assembly incorporates energy storage components that can recharge during operation through regenerative braking or external charging interfaces. This self-service capability reduces the need for large energy storage capacity from the outset, lowering initial manufacturing costs while still achieving significant emission reductions.
3Duration of action of moving object
If self-contained traction systems are integrated into wheels, then vehicle range is extended, but wheel complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical traction components are nested within the existing wheel structure. The motor, energy storage, and control systems are arranged concentrically or in nested configurations within the wheel hub and rim, utilizing the existing wheel space. This nesting approach extends vehicle range while minimizing the increase in wheel complexity by fitting components into existing structural spaces.
4Loss of energy
If self-contained traction systems are integrated into wheels, then fuel efficiency is increased, but wheel weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the heavy mechanical internal combustion engine, transmission, and drivetrain components with a compact electrical motor and lightweight energy storage system integrated into the wheel. This substitution of mechanical systems with electrical systems achieves improved fuel efficiency while minimizing the weight increase through the use of lightweight materials and compact component design.
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 solution enables the conversion of ICE vehicles into more efficient hybrid or electric vehicles, reducing emissions, increasing fuel efficiency, and extending vehicle range, while minimizing retrofit costs by integrating components within existing vehicle structures.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical traction motor (ETM)... connected to a transmission, thereby driving wheels of the vehicle in a rotational motion
Implementation Method 2
The flywheel may act as a rotor, where the stator may be the wheel hub and/or wheel rim. The wheel may transfer the angular momentum of the flywheel to the vehicle using the operation of the electromagnets in sequence.
Implementation Method 3
the wheels of a vehicle may comprise batteries, electronics, and an electric hub motor/generator, where the hub motor/generator stores electrical energy in the battery and later uses the electrical energy to assist in advancing the vehicle.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle traction device having at least one energy storage component; at least one traction component; at least one acceleration sensor including a pressure sensor, a motion sensor, a gyroscopic sensor, an accelerometer, and/or a piezoelectric sensor; and at least one deceleration sensor including a pressure sensor, a motion sensor, a gyroscopic sensor, an accelerometer, and/or a piezoelectric sensor. The at least one acceleration/deceleration sensor is responsive to an operator input, and when the operator input is applied to the at least one acceleration/deceleration sensor, the energy traction device is signaled to transfer energy from the at least one energy storage component to the forward propulsion of the vehicle, or vice versa, using the at least one traction component. The vehicle traction device may be incorporated into, for example, a wheel, a motor, and/or a transmission.