TWI807459B - Electric energy recovery device for a suspension system - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is an electric energy recovery device for a suspension system, including an energy regeneration unit and a power unit. The energy regeneration unit includes a suspension system and a plurality of piezoelectric elements. The plurality of piezoelectric elements are arranged in the suspension system, and the piezoelectric constant d33 of the plurality of piezoelectric elements is between 10~1000pC/N. The mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy through the positive piezoelectric effect. In addition, the power unit includes a power converter and a power storage device. The power unit is electrically connected to the energy regeneration unit, and the power converter converts the electrical energy generated by the energy regeneration unit to the power storage device.

Description

Electric energy recovery device for suspension system

The present invention relates to an electric energy recovery device, in particular to an electric energy recovery device for a suspension system.

In response to the global warming crisis and the energy transformation of countries around the world, although traditional gasoline and diesel vehicles currently have the highest market share due to their low cost, due to high carbon emissions, more and more consumers are switching to gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles (Hybrid) or pure electric vehicles. Among them, the sales growth of electric vehicles in the market has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years. In order to improve energy efficiency, major car manufacturers have developed various energy recovery devices. For example, when a hybrid vehicle brakes or goes downhill, it can convert kinetic energy into electrical energy and store it in the battery. In addition, pure electric vehicles rely on lithium polymer batteries to increase vehicle range.

For example, there is a commercially available gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle that performs cruising kinetic energy recovery when the accelerator is released, and brake kinetic energy recovery when the brake pedal is depressed, and its electric motor can perform a maximum deceleration of about 0.3g while recovering kinetic energy, which is enough to meet most of the deceleration needs in daily driving, and can recover up to 265kW of power. Another commercially available gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle can perform kinetic energy recovery during driving. Its electric motor completely replaces the damping function. The power recovery on ordinary roads is between 100W and 150W; the power recovery on rough roads is 613W; the power recovery on highways is 3W. In addition, there are tire manufacturers Heat-sensitive materials are added to the tread, so tire deformation during travel can also be converted into electric recharging, that is, kinetic energy recovery can be performed during travel.

To sum up, how to provide an energy recovery device to increase vehicle endurance is an important issue that the industry needs to consider.

Yes, the present invention mainly provides an electric energy recovery device for a suspension system, which can effectively improve vehicle endurance.

In view of the above, an aspect of the present disclosure provides an electric energy recovery device for a suspension system, including an energy regeneration unit and an electric power unit. The energy regeneration unit includes a suspension system and a plurality of piezoelectric elements in the suspension system, wherein the plurality of piezoelectric elements are arranged in the suspension system, and the piezoelectric constant d33 of the plurality of piezoelectric elements is between 10 and 1000 pC/N, and d33 is one of the most commonly used important parameters for the performance of piezoelectric materials, and converts mechanical energy into electrical energy through the positive piezoelectric effect. In addition, the power unit includes a power converter, a battery management system and a power storage device, wherein the power unit is electrically connected to the energy regeneration unit, and the power converter transmits the electric energy generated by the energy regeneration unit to the power storage device.

According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the piezoelectric element includes a piezoelectric material with a high dielectric constant.

According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the high dielectric constant piezoelectric material is lead zirconium titanate (PZT), strontium zirconium tantalate (BZT), potassium sodium niobate (KNN) or other piezoelectric materials.

According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, wherein the suspension system is a motorcycle suspension system.

According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the motorcycle suspension system includes a solid piezoelectric element, a hollow cylindrical piezoelectric element, a shock absorber module, and a U-shaped lower fixing seat, the shock absorber module respectively contacts the solid piezoelectric element, the hollow cylindrical piezoelectric element, and the U-shaped lower fixing seat, and the U-shaped lower fixing seat is fixed on a rim.

According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the motorcycle suspension system further includes an annular upper fixing seat, wherein the solid piezoelectric element is in contact with the annular upper fixing seat, and the annular upper fixing seat is fixed on a vehicle body.

According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, wherein the suspension system is an automobile suspension system.

According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, wherein the vehicle suspension system includes a solid piezoelectric element, a hollow cylindrical piezoelectric element, a shock absorber module, and an annular lower fixing seat, the shock absorber module respectively contacts the solid piezoelectric element, the hollow cylindrical piezoelectric element, and the annular lower fixing seat, and the annular lower fixing seat is fixed on the rim.

According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the vehicle suspension system further includes a plate-shaped upper fixing seat, wherein the solid piezoelectric element is in contact with the plate-shaped upper fixing seat, and the plate-shaped upper fixing seat is fixed on a vehicle body.

According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the thickness of the solid piezoelectric element or the hollow cylindrical piezoelectric element is adjusted according to a predetermined value of the electric energy.

10: Piezoelectric element

10a: electrode plate

10b: electrode plate

60b: Adjusting nut

60c: shock absorber module

60d: spring tray

10c: Piezoelectric materials

20: wire

30: battery

40, 40’, 40”: piezoelectric element

50, 50’, 50”: piezoelectric element

60:Suspension system

60a: upper fixing seat

70e: Lower fixing seat

80:Power converter

90:Battery management system

100: power storage device

600: Electric energy recovery device

610: Energy regeneration unit

620: Power unit

700: suspension system

710: wheels

I, II, III: Areas

F: external force

60e: Support seat

60f: lower fixing seat

70:Suspension system

70a: upper fixing seat

70b: spring

70c: Adjusting nut

70d: shock absorber module

In order to make the above and other purposes, features, advantages and embodiments of the present invention more understandable, the accompanying drawings are described as follows: FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a piezoelectric element used in an electric energy recovery device in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a solid piezoelectric element used in an electric energy recovery device in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a hollow cylindrical piezoelectric element used in an electric energy recovery device in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an energy regeneration unit used in an electric energy recovery device for a suspension system in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an energy regeneration unit used in an electric energy recovery device for a suspension system in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an electric energy recovery device used in a suspension system in an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the usage state of the electric energy recovery device used in the suspension system in the embodiment of the present invention.

In accordance with common practice, the various features and elements in the drawings are not drawn to scale, but are drawn in order to best represent the specific features and elements relevant to the invention. In addition, the same or similar reference symbols refer to similar elements and parts in different drawings.

In order to facilitate your review committee to further understand and understand the purpose, shape, structure, device features and effects of the present invention, the following examples are given in conjunction with the drawings, and the detailed description is as follows.

The following disclosure provides different embodiments or examples to implement different features of the provided subject matter. The specific examples of components and arrangements described below are for the purpose of simplifying the present disclosure and are not intended to be limiting; the dimensions and shapes of the elements are not limited by the disclosed ranges or numerical values, but may depend on the process conditions or required characteristics of the elements. For example, the technical characteristics of the present invention are described by means of cross-sectional diagrams, These cross-sectional views are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments. Thus, variations in the shapes shown as a result of manufacturing processes and/or tolerances are foreseeable and should not be limiting.

Furthermore, relative spatial terms, such as "below", "below", "below", "above", and "above" are used to describe the relationship between elements or features depicted in the drawings; in addition, relative spatial terms include not only the directions depicted in the drawings, but also the different directions of the components when they are used or operated.

In the following, the electric energy recovery device used in the suspension system in the embodiment of the present case will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, please refer to FIG. 1 . FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a piezoelectric element used in a power recovery device. As shown in FIG. 1 , the piezoelectric element 10 is composed of an electrode plate 10a, an electrode plate 10b and a piezoelectric material 10c, wherein the piezoelectric material 10c is sandwiched between the electrode plate 10a and the electrode plate 10b. When the electrode plates 10a and 10b are subjected to an external force F, the electrode plates 10a and 10b will squeeze the piezoelectric material 10c inside, causing the piezoelectric material 10c to deform, and then due to the positive piezoelectric effect, the mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy to achieve the power generation effect. The generated electric energy is delivered to the battery 30 for storage through the wire 20 .

Next, please refer to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 together. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a solid piezoelectric element used in an electric energy recovery device in an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a hollow cylindrical piezoelectric element used in an electric energy recovery device in an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 , like the piezoelectric element 10 , the piezoelectric element 40 and the piezoelectric element 50 are formed by sandwiching piezoelectric materials between upper and lower electrode plates. The difference is that the piezoelectric element 40 is a solid piezoelectric element, while the piezoelectric element 50 is a hollow cylindrical piezoelectric element. In the embodiment of the present invention, because the piezoelectric element 50 is a hollow cylindrical piezoelectric element, it can be selected according to the shaft center diameter of the damping system. In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, the piezoelectric element 40 and the piezoelectric element 50 are piezoelectric materials with high dielectric constant, such as lead zirconium titanate (PZT), strontium zirconium tantalate (BZT), Potassium sodium niobate (KNN) or other piezoelectric materials, the other piezoelectric materials include a combination of the above materials or other composite materials, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

Then, please refer to FIG. 4 and FIG. 6 together. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an energy regeneration unit used in an electric energy recovery device for a suspension system in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an electric energy recovery device used in a suspension system in an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6 , the suspension system 60 is a motorcycle suspension system, and forms an energy regeneration unit 610 together with the piezoelectric elements 40' and 50'. In the embodiment of the present invention, the design of the current shock absorber is not changed in principle, but is applied to the locomotive by means of an external module. For example, the piezoelectric elements 40', 50' are arranged in the suspension system 60, and the piezoelectric elements 40', 50' will use piezoelectric materials with a piezoelectric constant d33 between 10-1000 pC/N to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy through the positive piezoelectric effect. In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, the suspension system 60 further includes an upper fixing base 60a, an adjusting nut 60b, a shock absorbing module 60c, a spring tray 60d, a supporting base 60e and a lower fixing base 60f.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the upper fixing seat 60a is an annular upper fixing seat and is fixed on a vehicle body. In other embodiments of the present invention, as long as the fixing effect can be achieved, the upper fixing seat 60a can be in other shapes. In other embodiments of the present invention, as long as the fixing effect can be achieved, the lower fixing seat 60f can also have other shapes.

As shown in Fig. 4, the piezoelectric elements 40', 50' are respectively in contact with the shock absorbing module 60c. The adjusting nut 60b is in contact with the piezoelectric element 40' and the upper fixing seat 60a respectively. In addition, the spring tray 60d is respectively in contact with the piezoelectric element 50' and the supporting seat 60e, and the supporting seat 60e is in contact with the lower fixing seat 60f. In the embodiment of the present invention, the piezoelectric element 40' is a solid piezoelectric element, and the piezoelectric element 50' is a hollow cylindrical piezoelectric element.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the adjusting nut 60b is used to control the preload weight, and adjust to the best suitability feeling according to the weight of the vehicle and its own load.

In the embodiment of the present invention, like a general motorcycle shock absorber, the shock absorber module 60c includes a damping system, a rebound throttle plate set, a compressed throttle plate set, a piston, an oil seal seat, a bottoming buffer, a control shaft, a spring, a shock absorber, etc., and will not be described in detail here.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the spring tray 60d is used to hold the spring. In addition, the lower fixing seat 60f is fixed on the rim. In the embodiment of the present invention, the lower fixing seat 60f is a U-shaped lower fixing seat and is fixed on the rim.

Next, please refer to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 together. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an energy regeneration unit used in an electric energy recovery device for a suspension system in an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the suspension system 70 and the piezoelectric elements 40 ″, 50 ″ constitute an energy regeneration unit 610 . In the embodiment of the present invention, similarly, the design of the current shock absorber is not changed, but is applied to the automobile through an external module. For example, the piezoelectric elements 40", 50" are disposed in the suspension system 70, and the piezoelectric elements 40", 50" also use piezoelectric materials with a piezoelectric constant d33 between 10-1000 pC/N, and convert mechanical energy into electrical energy through the positive piezoelectric effect. In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, the suspension system 70 is an automobile suspension system, and further includes an upper fixing base 70a, a spring 70b, an adjusting nut 70c, a shock absorbing module 70d, and a lower fixing base 70e. In the embodiment of the present invention, the piezoelectric element 40" is a solid piezoelectric element, and the piezoelectric element 50" is a hollow cylindrical piezoelectric element.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the upper fixing seat 70a is a plate-shaped upper fixing seat and is fixed on a vehicle body. In other embodiments of the present invention, as long as the fixing effect can be achieved, the upper fixing seat 70a can be in other shapes. In addition, a spring tray may be provided under the upper fixing seat 70a for fixing the springs.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the position of the spring 70b still includes common components of a general shock absorber such as a dust cover, a shock absorber, etc., which will not be described in detail here.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the adjusting nut 70c is used to control the preloaded pounds, and it is adjusted to the best suitability according to the weight of the vehicle and its own load.

In the embodiment of the present invention, like a general automobile shock absorber, the shock absorber module 70d includes a damping system, a rebound throttle plate set, a compression throttle plate set, a piston, an oil seal seat, a bottoming buffer, a control axis, etc., and will not be described in detail here. As shown in FIG. 5, the shock absorber module 70d is respectively connected with the piezoelectric element 40", The piezoelectric element 50" is in contact with the lower fixing base 70e, while the piezoelectric element 40" is in contact with the upper fixing base 70a. In addition, the piezoelectric element 50" is in contact with the adjustment nut 70c, and the adjustment nut 70c is in contact with the lower fixing seat 70e.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the lower fixing seat 70e is an annular lower fixing seat and is fixed on the rim. In other embodiments of the present invention, as long as the fixing effect can be achieved, the lower fixing seat 70e can also have other shapes.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6 , in an embodiment of the present invention, an electric energy recovery device 600 is suitable for locomotives, and includes an energy regeneration unit 610 and an electric power unit 620 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the regenerative unit 610 includes a suspension system 60 and piezoelectric elements 40', 50', wherein the piezoelectric elements 40', 50' are disposed in the suspension system 60, and the piezoelectric elements 40', 50' have a piezoelectric constant d33 between 10-1000 pC/N, and convert mechanical energy into electrical energy through the positive piezoelectric effect. In addition, the power unit 620 includes a power converter 80 , a battery management system 90 and a power storage device 100 , wherein the power unit 620 is in electrical contact with the energy regeneration unit 610 , and the power converter 80 transmits the electric energy generated by the energy regeneration unit 610 to the power storage device 100 through the battery management system 90 . In other embodiments of the present invention, the battery management system 90 may also be an energy management system.

In addition, as shown in Figure 6, in other embodiments of the present invention, the electric energy recovery device 600 is suitable for automobiles, including a regeneration unit 610 including a suspension system 70 and piezoelectric elements 40", 50".

Next, please refer to FIG. 7 . FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the usage state of the electric energy recovery device used in the suspension system in the embodiment of the present invention. As shown at the top of FIG. 7 , when the vehicle travels along the road in the direction of the arrow, the road in area I has a convex surface, while the road in areas II and III are smooth. When the vehicle travels on the road surface in area I, the suspension system 700 on the wheel 710 will generate a compressive force to the spring, and then the spring will squeeze the piezoelectric element. After passing the smooth surface of area II and III, the spring of the suspension system 700 will return to its original state, that is, the spring will squeeze the piezoelectric element to a lesser extent. As shown at the bottom of Figure 7, relative to the waveforms of regions I, II, and III, it shows that when the shock absorber equipped with an external module travels on a raised road, it is squeezed. The charging situation after pressing. Therefore, when the car continues to drive on a steep road, the electric dipole moment in the piezoelectric element will be shortened due to compression, and an equal amount of positive and negative charges will be generated on the surface. Therefore, the more the force is applied, the higher the surface charge will be. In addition, the larger the piezoelectric constant d33 of the material, the higher the energy conversion efficiency.

In the embodiment of the present invention, in order to increase the electric energy generated by the device, the materials of the piezoelectric element can be stacked in series and parallel to the required thickness. That is to say, in the embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the solid piezoelectric element 40, 40', 40" or the hollow cylindrical piezoelectric element 50, 50', 50" is adjusted according to a predetermined value of desired electric energy.

In the embodiment of the present invention, lead zirconate titanate piezoelectric ceramics (PZT) is taken as an example, the thickness of the material used is 1 cm, and the power that can be generated once under the action of an external force of 50N is about 2648J (=2.65KW), and it is recharged to the battery during travel. In addition, the amount of recharging will vary according to the vibration frequency of the road conditions and the external force. In the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings of the shock absorbers or suspension systems are only partial examples. Since there are various types of shock absorbers in use today, the electric energy recovery devices of other embodiments of the present invention can be configured on different shock absorbers or suspension systems with different module designs according to different styles of shock absorbers or suspension systems.

The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and are not limiting. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that the technical solutions of the present invention can be modified or equivalently replaced without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention.

40’, 40”, 50’, 50”: piezoelectric element

60, 70: suspension system

80:Power converter

90:Battery management system

100: power storage device

600: Electric energy recovery device

610: Energy regeneration unit

620: Power unit

Claims (8)

An electric energy recovery device for a suspension system, comprising: an energy regeneration unit including a suspension system and a plurality of piezoelectric elements in the suspension system, wherein the plurality of piezoelectric elements are arranged in the suspension system, the piezoelectric constant d33 of the plurality of piezoelectric elements is between 10 and 1000pC/N, and converts mechanical energy into electrical energy through positive piezoelectric effect; and a power unit includes a power converter, a battery management system and a power storage device, wherein the power unit and the energy The regeneration unit is in electrical contact, and the power converter transmits the electric energy generated by the energy regeneration unit to the power storage device; wherein the suspension system is a motorcycle suspension system, and the motorcycle suspension system includes a solid piezoelectric element, a hollow cylindrical piezoelectric element, a shock-absorbing module, and a U-shaped lower fixing seat. The electrical energy recovery device for a suspension system according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric element comprises a piezoelectric material with a high dielectric constant. The electric energy recovery device for the suspension system as described in claim 2, wherein the high dielectric constant piezoelectric material is lead zirconium titanate (PZT), strontium zirconium tantalate (BZT), and potassium sodium niobate (KNN). The electric energy recovery device for a suspension system as described in claim 1, wherein the motorcycle suspension system further includes an annular upper fixing seat, wherein the solid piezoelectric element is in contact with the annular upper fixing seat, and the annular upper fixing seat is fixed on a vehicle body. The electric energy recovery device for a suspension system as described in Claim 1, wherein the suspension system is an automobile suspension system. The electric energy recovery device for the suspension system as described in claim 5, wherein the automobile suspension system includes a solid piezoelectric element, a hollow cylindrical piezoelectric element, a shock absorber module and a ring-shaped The lower fixing seat, the shock-absorbing module respectively contacts the solid piezoelectric element, the hollow cylindrical piezoelectric element and the annular lower fixing seat, and the annular lower fixing seat is fixed on the rim. The electric energy recovery device for a suspension system as described in claim 6, wherein the automobile suspension system further includes a plate-shaped upper fixing seat, wherein the solid piezoelectric element is in contact with the plate-shaped upper fixing seat, and the plate-shaped upper fixing seat is fixed on a vehicle body. The electrical energy recovery device for a suspension system according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the solid piezoelectric element or the hollow cylindrical piezoelectric element is adjusted according to a predetermined value of the electrical energy.

Images