Ideaz

The automotive market is quickly evolving to electric and hybrid cars to address global sustainability and emissions reduction targets. One of the challenges of such cars is optimizing energy efficiency to increase driving range while reducing reliance on battery capacity and charging frequency. Regenerative braking technologies lead energy recovery technologies, converting energy of motion when the car decelerates to electrical energy stored in the battery. Yet, these systems are plagued by efficiency losses as a result of energy conversion and limitations like battery capacity degradation, charging rate, and energy density restrictions.

Mechanical energy recovery systems pose an exciting complementary technology that recovers kinetic energy in mechanical form—typically through flywheels or elastic storage devices like springs. They deposit braking energy as mechanical energy, which can be quickly released to aid acceleration or sustain motion, with less energy conversion loss than electrical systems. Mechanical recovery facilitates quicker energy capture and release cycles, lessens battery strain, enhances overall energy management of the vehicle, and can reduce maintenance expense.

Though this prospect exists, mechanical energy recovery has been underutilized in conventional electric and hybrid cars. Challenges in implementing systems within drivetrains without adding substantial weight or complexity, sustaining durability and safety during fast rotational speeds, and creating sophisticated control units to facilitate smooth coordination between mechanical and electrical energy recovery mechanisms are some of the issues.

MARKET GAP:
Today, the vast majority of electric and hybrid cars almost entirely depend on electrical regenerative braking, constraining peak energy recapture owing to system inefficiencies and battery storage limitations. Mechanical energy recovery systems are found in very few mass-produced cars due to technology integration challenges, the absence of cost-effective and scalable designs, and the limited awareness of the feasibility and advantages of the technology. This lack of solution presents an important market opportunity for new mechanical systems that improve energy recovery efficiency, decrease battery wear, increase driving range, and preserve lightweight, cost-effective designs.

BENIFITS TO:
Automakers who want to stand out with more efficient, innovative, and cost-effective electric and hybrid vehicles.

Drivers who enjoy more extended driving range, reduced charging frequency, longer battery life, and lower total cost of ownership.

The environment through decreased energy usage and lower emissions.

Automotive manufacturers concentrated on innovative mechanical parts, materials, and integrated control systems enhancing next-generation automobile technologies.

SIGNIFICANCE TO THE CAR MARKET:
Mechanical energy recovery works towards solving major battery-based problems like life degradation, sluggish recharge capacity, and energy density limitation. By capturing and storing braking energy mechanically in a efficient manner, vehicles can enhance overall energy usage, increase driving range, and enhance sustainability. This technology aids the automobile transition to clean energy technologies, enhancing performance and driver satisfaction while moving towards green transportation objectives. Integrating mechanical energy storage also enhances system robustness and cost-efficiency.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION:
Flywheel Energy Storage: Lightweight, high-strength flywheels constructed from advanced materials such as carbon fiber composites, capable of spinning at very high speeds safely in order to maximize energy storage.

Mechanical Clutches and Gearboxes: SMOOTH and reliable mechanisms engaging/disengaging the flywheel, converting stored energy back to drivetrain.

Electronic Control Units (ECUs): Controllers that optimize switching between mechanical and electrical recovery dependent on conditions, battery state, and energy demands.

Integrated Compact and Modular: Mechanical configurations to ensure system integration in existing vehicle architectures with minimal weight or space penalty.