SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RECHARGING BATTERIES OF ELECTRIC AND HYBRID VEHICLES

Abstract

A system for recharging batteries of electric and hybrid vehicles by recovering and converting kinetic energy produced by rotational movement of wheels into electric current is provided. The system includes an electric current generator having a rotor integrated in an inner surface of a tire-carrying rim and a circular-shaped stator anchored to a fixed part of a wheel-carrying hub in a volume between a brake and the inner surface of the tire-carrying rim.

Claims

1. A system for recharging batteries of electric and hybrid vehicles by recovering and converting kinetic energy produced by rotational movement of wheels into electric current, said system comprising: a tire-carrying rim configured to support a tire; an electric current generator comprising a rotor, integrated in an inner surface of said tire-carrying rim, and a circular-shaped stator rotationally fixed with respect to the tire-carrying rim and configured to be anchored to a fixed part of a wheel-carrying hub, in a volume between a brake mechanically connected to said wheel-carrying hub, and the inner surface of the tire-carrying rim; batteries electrically connected to the electric current generator, said batteries being suppliable by current produced by said electric current generator; and an electronic control device, electrically connected to the batteries and suppliable by the current produced by the electric current generator; wherein said electronic control device is configured to allow passage of a flow of current exclusively from said electric current generator to the batteries.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic control device is configured to adjust voltage and intensity of said flow of current from said electric current generator to the batteries.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising permanent magnets fixed to the inner surface of the tire-carrying rim by a polyurethane resin.

4. The system claim 1, wherein the circular-shaped stator is made of a polyurethane resin having a solid end state and contains enameled copper wire.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a wheel-carrying hub that rotatably supports the tire-carrying rim, and a brake mechanically connected to the wheel-carrying hub and configured to impart a brake torque on the tire-carrying rim.

6. A method for recharging batteries of electric and hybrid vehicles, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a system comprising: a tire-carrying rim configured to support a tire; an electric current generator comprising a rotor integrated in an inner surface of said tire-carrying rim, and a circular-shaped stator rotationally fixed with respect to the tire-carrying rim and configured to be anchored to a fixed part of a wheel-carrying hub, in a volume between a brake mechanically connected to said wheel-carrying hub, and the inner surface of the tire-carrying rim; batteries electrically connected to the electric current generator, said batteries being suppliable by current produced by said electric current generator; and an electronic control device electrically connected to the batteries and suppliable by the current produced by the electric current generator; wherein said electronic control device is configured to allow passage of a flow of current exclusively from said electric current generator to the batteries; (b) providing a vehicle having at least one wheel to which the system of step (a) is associated; and (c) transmitting the current produced by the electric current generator from the circular-shaped stator to the batteries by the electronic control device when the vehicle is travelling.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein step (c) is carried out by adjusting voltage and intensity of said flow of current from said electric current generator to the batteries through the electronic control device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The functional and structural features of a few preferred embodiments of a system and a method according to the invention will now be described. Reference is made to the attached drawings, in which:

[0022] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a rim 1A inside a tire 1C, in which permanent magnets 1B are arranged along the inner surface, according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0023] FIG. 2 shows a stator 2A showing some of the windings 2C contained therein in relief, a braking element 2B and a useful space 2D arranged between the rim and the stator 2A that allows the wheel to rotate;

[0024] FIG. 3 shows the stator showing a wire exit point 3A for the transmission of an electrical signal towards a control device in relief, the braking element 3D contained in the internal volume thereof, and a brake-carrying plate 3C that is anchored to the fixed part of the vehicle by means of points 3B for fastening it to the stator; and

[0025] FIG. 4 is an overall lateral view of a wheel comprising a tire 4A, the rim containing the permanent magnets 4B, the stator 4C and the braking element 4D, according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] With reference to the drawings by way of example, a system for recharging electric and hybrid vehicle batteries according to the invention, for recovering and converting the kinetic energy produced by the rotational movement of the wheels into electric current comprises a tire-carrying rim 1A, adapted to support a tire 1C, 4A, and an electric current generator, which generator comprises a rotor that is integrated in the inner surface of said tire-carrying rim 1A, and a stator 2A, 4C that is rotationally fixed with respect to the tire-carrying rim 1A and it is adapted to be anchored to the fixed part of a wheel-carrying hub in the volume between a braking element 3D, 4D that is mechanically connected to said wheel-carrying hub and the inner surface of the tire-carrying rim 1A.

[0027] Electrical storage means (suitably, traditional batteries) are also provided, which are electrically connected to the generator and which electrical storage means are suppliable with power by means of the current produced by this generator.

[0028] The system also comprises electronic control means (suitably, an electronic control unit of the type known per se) that is electrically connected to the electrical storage means and are suppliable by means of the current produced by the electric current generator.

[0029] This electronic control device is designed to only allow the passage of a flow of current from said generator to the electrical storage means (that is, preventing the passage of a flow of current from the electrical storage means to said generator). In this way, the system according to the present invention carries out the sole function of recharging the batteries, thus not being suitable to operate as a driving machine that may impart a rotational movement on the associated wheel.

[0030] Conveniently, the electronic control device is configured to adjust the voltage and the intensity of said flow of current from said generator to the electrical storage means.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment, the system comprises permanent magnets 1B, 4B that are fixed (suitably by means of a polyurethane resin) to the inner surface of the tire-carrying rim 1A.

[0032] Conveniently, the stator 2A, 4C is circular, is made of a polyurethane resin having a solid end state and contains enameled copper wire windings 2C.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the system also comprises a wheel-carrying hub, which rotatably supports the tire-carrying rim 1A, and a braking element 3D, 4D that is mechanically connected to the wheel-carrying hub and is adapted to impart a brake torque on the tire-carrying rim 1A.

[0034] The system described above, which may be installed in one or more wheels of a vehicle on the basis of the energy requirement thereof, produces electric current for recharging the batteries so as to increase the energy efficiency of the system. The production and consumption vary in accordance to the travelling conditions of the vehicle, thus increasing or decreasing progressively as the speed and the journey type changes. In addition to the management cost reduction, it is also possible to assume a substantial reduction in the final price of the vehicle, making it possible to limit the number of batteries required to ensure an appropriate traveling range. In prospect, in addition to new development solutions for future models that reconsider the volume and weight, equipping the vehicle with fewer batteries may offer more appropriate environmental sustainability at the end of their life cycle.

[0035] According to one aspect of the invention, a method is also provided for recharging electric and hybrid vehicle batteries, comprising the steps of providing a recharging system according to any one of the embodiments described above, providing a vehicle having at least one wheel to which this system is associated, and transmitting the electric current produced by the generator from the stator to the batteries by means of the electronic control device when the vehicle is travelling.

[0036] According to one embodiment, such final step is carried out by adjusting the voltage and the intensity of said flow of current from said generator to the electrical storage means through the electronic control device.

[0037] Various aspects and embodiments of a system and a method for recharging electric and hybrid vehicle batteries according to the invention have been described. It is intended that each embodiment may be combined with any other embodiment. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described, but may be modified within the scope defined by the attached claims.