Claims:We Claim:
1. A jump start system (100) for an electric vehicle, the system (100) comprising:
a dynamo (101) comprising:
a shaft (102) with a plurality of coiled wires, wherein the shaft (102) is configured to act as a rotor; and
a stator concentrically provided around a shaft (102); a clutch (103), coupled to a first end of the shaft (102);
a pulley (104), configured concentrically on an outer peripheral surface of the clutch (103), wherein the clutch (103) is configured to selectively transmit rotational movement of the pulley (104) to the shaft (102); and
wherein, rotation of the shaft (102) within the stator generates electric current, for jump starting the electric vehicle.
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a flywheel (105) coupled at a second end of the shaft (102), wherein the flywheel (105) is configured to provide rotational inertia to the shaft (102).
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pulley (104) is defined with one or more grooves (106) configured to receive a driving element (107), the driving element (107) is configured to rotate the pulley (104).
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the driving element (107) is at least one of a rope, a belt and a cable.
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clutch (103) is configured to engage the pulley (104) and the shaft (102) to transmit rotational force of the pulley (104) to the shaft (102), during rotation of the pulley (104) in a first direction.
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clutch (103) is configured to disengage the pulley (104) and the shaft (102), during rotation of the pulley (104) in a second direction.
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein rotation of the pulley (104) in the first direction corresponds to direction of actuation of the driving element (107).

8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein rotation of the pulley (104) in the second direction corresponds to a direction opposite to the first direction and rewinds the driving element (107) around the pulley (104).
9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises an enclosure (111) to accommodate the dynamo (101), the shaft (102) and the flywheel (105).
10. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a bracket (109) extending from the enclosure (111), wherein the bracket (109) is configured to support and guide the driving element (107).
11. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a spring (110) coupled to the pulley (104), wherein the spring (110) is configured to store energy during rotation of the pulley (104) in the first direction, and rotate the pulley (104) in the second direction, upon release of force on the driving element (107) to wind the driving element (107).
12. An electric vehicle comprising a jump start system (100) as claimed in claim 1.

, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
Present disclosure in general relates to an automobile. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to an electric vehicle. Further embodiments of the disclosure discloses a jump start system for the electric vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

With fast depletion of non-renewable energy sources such as fossil fuels, a significant amount of research and development is devoted in development of alternative energy sources for the vehicles. Global warming is another concern for shifting from conventional IC engine automobiles to clean fuel such as electric vehicles. Moreover, release of carbon into the atmosphere from burning fossil fuels has been another driving factor for researchers to look to alternative sources of energy.

Electric energy has emerged as a promising alternative source of energy for vehicles. Vehicles which run only using electric energy to power an electric motor in a powertrain are called as electric vehicles. In the electric vehicles, power sources such as batteries which can hold electric charge for powering the electric motor are used. These batteries or in other terms called as high voltage systems may be employed to store the electric power and supply the required power to an electric motor in order to propel the vehicle. Further, the electric vehicles may include a low voltage or an auxiliary battery, for supplying power required to start the vehicle i.e. to activate the high voltage system. Further, the auxiliary battery may be adapted to operate lights, door locks and other subsidiary components of the vehicle.

The low voltage battery or the auxiliary battery in the electric vehicle may be a lithium battery or a lead acid battery. The auxiliary battery may discharge, due to general battery characteristics. If the state of charge of the auxiliary battery is lower than a certain voltage, due to long parking duration or discharge due to some auxiliary ON, electric connection between the auxiliary battery and the high voltage system will not be established due to lack of power required to energise the relay/contactor. This relay needs to be manually energised, in order to bridge electric connection between the auxiliary battery and the high voltage system, for triggering the high voltage system for propelling the vehicle.

Further, when the auxiliary battery is completely drained out, the high voltage system may not be activated, leading to immobility of the vehicle. This condition of the vehicle, demands for jump starting the vehicle, for activating or turning ON the high voltage system. Traditionally, electric vehicle is jump started using an external battery. The external battery may be used to charge the auxiliary battery, in order to activate the high voltage system. However, using the external battery for charging the auxiliary battery, may damage the auxiliary battery circuitry due to over current or over voltage applied by the external battery. Also, adapting the external source to jump start the vehicle is a tedious and cumbersome process, and moreover carrying a substitute battery to jump start the vehicle may not be feasible.

The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above and any other limitations associated with the prior arts.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by the system as disclosed and additional advantages are provided through the system as described in the present disclosure.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the technique of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

In one non-limiting embodiment, there is provided a jump start system for an electric vehicle. The jump start system comprises a dynamo, which includes a shaft with a plurality of coiled wires, and the shaft is configured to act as a rotor. Further, a stator is concentrically provided around a shaft. The jump start system includes a clutch, coupled to a first end of the shaft, and a pulley configured concentrically on an outer peripheral surface of the clutch. The clutch is configured to selectively transmit rotational movement of the pulley to the shaft. The shaft is configured to rotate within the stator to generate electric current, for jump starting the electric vehicle.
In an embodiment, the jump start system comprises a flywheel coupled at a second end of the shaft. The flywheel is configured to provide rotational inertia to the shaft.
In an embodiment, the pulley is defined with one or more grooves configured to receive a driving element, and the driving element is configured to rotate the pulley.
In an embodiment, the driving element is at least one of a rope, a belt and a cable.
In an embodiment, the clutch is configured to engage the pulley and the shaft to transmit rotational force of the pulley to the shaft, during rotation of the pulley in a first direction.
In an embodiment, rotation of the pulley in the first direction, corresponds to a direction actuation of the driving element.
In an embodiment, rotation of the pulley in the second direction corresponds to a direction opposite to the first direction and rewinds the driving element around the pulley.

In an embodiment, the jump start system comprises an enclosure to accommodate the dynamo, the shaft and the flywheel.

In an embodiment, the jump start system comprises a bracket extending from the enclosure, and the bracket is configured to support and guide the driving element.

In an embodiment, the jump start system comprises a spring coupled to the pulley. The spring is configured to store energy during rotation of the pulley in the first direction, and rotate the pulley in the second direction, upon release of force on the driving element to rewind the driving element.

It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES

The novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the appended description. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

Figure.1 illustrates a schematic of the electric circuit of an electric vehicle with a jump start system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figures. 2a and 2b are perspective views of the jump start system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure. 3 is a sectional view of the jump start system of Figure. 2.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the description of the disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent jump start systems depart from the scope of the disclosure. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, as to operation of the jump start system, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.

In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and the scope of the disclosure.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a system that comprises a list of acts does not include only those acts but may include other acts not expressly listed or inherent to such method. In other words, one or more acts in a method proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other acts or additional acts in the method.
Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a jump start system for an electric vehicle. Generally, electric vehicles may be equipped with an auxiliary battery of about 12V in addition to the high voltage system. The auxiliary battery may be used for activating the high voltage system, and for operating subsidiary components such as lights, door locks and the like of the vehicle. The high voltage system is adapted to establish contact between the terminals of the battery stack and supply required power to an electric motor for propelling the vehicle. The auxiliary battery may discharge due to its general characteristics, and may drain out over a period of time. When the auxiliary battery discharges completely, activation of the high voltage system may be mitigated, causing immobility of the vehicle. In order to activate the high voltage system, an external battery may be used to charge the auxiliary battery. However, this technique of adapting the external battery, may damage the auxiliary battery due to applied overcharge or over voltage from the external battery. Further, this technique of jump starting the vehicle is tedious and time consuming task. Moreover, it may not be feasible to carry an external battery in the vehicle solely for the purpose of charging the auxiliary battery.
Accordingly, the present disclosure discloses a jump start system for an electric vehicle. The jump start may be positioned within a cabin of the vehicle, but not limiting to a dashboard in the cabin of the vehicle, with a handle portion of the jump start system projecting outside the dashboard. The handle portion may be operated by an operator such as a driver for jump starting the vehicle. The jump start system may broadly comprise a dynamo. The dynamo may include a shaft, with a plurality of coiled wires wound around an outer surface of the shaft. Further, a stator is provided concentrically around the shaft. The jump start system may further include a clutch coupled to a first end of the shaft. As an example, the clutch may be a one-way clutch. A pulley may be configured on an outer surface of the clutch, concentrically by suitable bearing arrangements. The clutch may be configured to selectively transmit rotational movement of the pulley to the shaft, i.e. the clutch may be configured to allow rotation of the shaft in one direction, irrespective of the direction of rotation of the pulley. Furthermore, the system may include a flywheel, which may be coupled at a second end of the shaft. The flywheel may be configured to provide rotational inertia to the shaft, and thus aids in continuous rotation of the shaft.

In an embodiment, the pulley may be driven by a driving element such as a belt, a rope, a cable and the like. Upon actuation of the driving element by the user, the pulley may rotate in a first direction. During rotation of the pulley in the first direction, the clutch engages the pulley with the shaft and thus facilitates in transmitting rotational movement of the pulley to the shaft of the dynamo. During rotation of the pulley in the first direction, a spring coupled to the pulley may compress and store energy. Upon release of the force on the driving element, the spring facilitates in rotating the pulley in a second direction, i.e. to original position of the pulley. During rotation of the pulley in the second direction, the clutch may disengage the pulley and the shaft, and thus facilitates in rotating the shaft in only one direction. Further, during rotation of the shaft, the flywheel coupled at a second end of the shaft may cater rotational inertia and aid in continuous rotation of the shaft for a certain period, in order to generate electric current required for jump starting the vehicle.
In the following detailed description, embodiments of the disclosure are explained with reference of accompanying figures that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
Figure. 1, illustrates a schematic of the electric circuit (200) in the electric vehicle, including a jump start system (100). The electric circuit (200) primarily comprises a high voltage system (201), which may comprise a stack of batteries or a battery pack to supply necessary voltage to power a motor (202). The power supplied to the motor (202) from the high voltage system (201) may be regulated by a motor controller (203), based on extent of actuation of the accelerator pedal (204) by the user. Further, the electric circuit (200) may include a low voltage auxiliary battery (205), for activation of the high voltage system (201) and other peripheral devices such as lights, door locks and the like. Necessary voltage from the auxiliary battery (205) may be supplied to a contactor (206) associated with the high voltage system (201), which upon activation, activates the high voltage system (201). In an embodiment, the high voltage system (201) may be configured to charge the auxiliary battery (205) via a DC-DC convertor (207), in addition to powering the motor (202) for propelling the vehicle. Furthermore, the electric circuit (200) may include a first diode (208) and a second diode (209). The first diode (208) may be configured to stop the flow of electric current from the jump start system (100) to the auxiliary battery (205), and the second diode (209) may be configured to stop the flow of electric current from the auxiliary battery (205) to the jump start system (100).
In an embodiment, when the auxiliary battery (205) is drained, a signal indicative of low voltage or zero voltage state of the auxiliary battery (205) may be indicated to the user. The signal indicative of state of the auxiliary battery (205) facilitates the user to adapt the jump start system (100) to activate the high voltage system (201) for propelling the vehicle.
Referring to Figure. 2a in conjunction with Figure. 3, which illustrates the jump start system (100), for the electric vehicle. The jump start system (100) may be connected to the electric circuit (200) of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the jump start system (100) may be accommodated inside the dashboard of the vehicle. The jump start system (100) (hereinafter referred as system), may broadly comprise a dynamo (101), configured to generate electric current necessary for activating the high voltage system (201). The dynamo (101) may include a shaft (102), with a plurality of coiled wires (not shown in figures) wound around an outer surface. Further, the dynamo (101), includes a stator (not shown) provided concentrically around the shaft (102). As an example, the stator may be one or more permanent magnets. The shaft (102) is configured to rotate about its axis A-A, and thus may act as a rotor. Further, the system (100) comprises a clutch (103), coupled to a first end of the shaft (102). As an example, the clutch (103) may be coupled concentrically to the first end of the shaft (102). In an embodiment, the clutch (103) may be but not limiting to sprag clutch. Furthermore, the system (100) comprises a pulley (104), configured concentrically on an outer peripheral surface of the clutch (103). As an example, the pulley (104) may be coupled to the clutch (103) by suitable bearing arrangements (not shown in figures). In an embodiment, the clutch (103) may be configured to selectively transmit rotational movement of the pulley (104) to the shaft (102). As an example, the clutch (103) facilitates rotation of the shaft (102) in only one direction, irrespective of direction of rotation of the pulley (104). Additionally, the system (100) may comprise a flywheel (105), coupled to a second end of the shaft (102). As an example, the flywheel (105) may be concentrically coupled to the shaft (102) to the second end. The flywheel (105) may be configured to provide rotational inertia to the shaft (102), for providing continuous rotation of the shaft (102). Furthermore, the system (100) may include a spring (110), coupled to the pulley (104), which facilitates in rotating the pulley (104) back to the original position i.e. to a state of rest. As an example, the spring (110) may be a clock spring.
As apparent in Figure. 2a the pulley (104) may be defined with one or more grooves (106) on an outer peripheral surface. The one or more grooves (106) may be configured to accommodate a driving element (107). The driving element (107) may be configured to be operated by the user, to drive the pulley (104) for operating the jump start system (100). As an example, the driving element (107) may be one of a rope, belt, cable and the like. The drive element (107) may be wound around the pulley (104) in order to provide the required yank or tug to the pulley (104). In an embodiment, an end of the driving element (107) may be provided with a handle portion (108), which may be configured to extend out of the dashboard. The user may operate the handle portion (108) to regulate or operate the jump start system (100). In an embodiment, the dynamo (101), the shaft (102) and the flywheel (105) may be enclosed within an enclosure (111). A bracket (109) may extend from the enclosure (111), which may be configured to support the handle portion (108) and guide the driving element (107).
In an operational embodiment, the user may operate the jump start system (100) by actuating the driving element (107). The driving element (107) may be actuated by applying a pull force to the handle portion (108), for displacing the handle portion (108) away from the bracket (109) (as seen Figure. 2b). While the handle portion (108) of the driving element (107) is pulled, the driving element (107) may unwind from the one or more grooves (106) configured in the pulley (104), and thus may result in rotation of the pulley (104) in the first direction. As an example, rotation of the pulley (104) in the first direction may be either clockwise or counter clock wise based on the requirement. During rotation of the pulley (104) in the first direction, the clutch (103) may engage the pulley (104) and the shaft (102). This facilitates in transmitting the rotational movement of the pulley (104) to the shaft (102). In an embodiment, the shaft (102) may rotate in same direction of that of the direction of rotation of the pulley (104) i.e. the first direction of rotation of the pulley (104) corresponds to the direction of actuation of the driving element (107). As an example, if the pulley (104) rotates clock wise in the first direction, the shaft (102) may also rotate clock wise and vice-versa.
In an embodiment, during rotation of the pulley (104) in the first direction, the spring (110) coupled to the pulley (104) may undergo compression and thus, stores energy. The energy stored may be released by the spring (110) to facilitate rotation of the pulley (104) in the second direction i.e. in a direction opposite to the first direction, upon release of the force i.e. the pull force applied on the driving element (107). During rotation of the pulley (104) in the second direction, the driving element (107) may rewind around the one or more grooves (106) configured in the pulley (104). In an embodiment, during rotation of the pulley (104) in the second direction, the clutch (103) may disengage the pulley (104) and the shaft (102) and thus mitigates the rotational movement of the pulley (104) to the shaft (102).
Once, the pulley (104) is actuated to rotate in the first direction, the shaft (102) may rotate within the stator of the dynamo (101). In an embodiment, rotation of the shaft (102) may result in rotating the coiled wires wound on an outer surface of the shaft (102). This rotation of the coiled wires within the stator may result in inducing electromotive force. The induced electromotive force may generate electric current, which may be used to activate the contactor (206). Activation of the contactor (206) may facilitate in activating or turning ON the high voltage system (201), for supplying necessary power to the electric motor (202), for propelling the vehicle. In an embodiment, the flywheel (105) maintains constant rotational inertia on the shaft (102), which may result in continuous rotation of the shaft (102) for a certain interval of time. This continuous rotation of the shaft (102), may help in generating required electric current to activate the contactor (206), for activating the high voltage system (201) of the vehicle. In other words, the flywheel (105) may result in continuous rotation of the shaft (102) for a certain time interval, with a single pull of the handle portion (108), by the user.
In an embodiment, the jump start system (100) of the present disclosure eliminates the use of external battery to start the vehicle, when the auxiliary battery (205) fails to activate the high voltage system (201), due to its discharge. Further, the jump start system (100) may facilitate in activating the high voltage system (201) instantly, without complex procedure such as using jumper cables or wires.
EQUIVALENTS

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Referral Numerals:

Description Referral Numerals
100 Jump start system
101 Dynamo
102 Shaft
103 Clutch
104 Pulley
105 Flywheel
106 Groove
107 Driving element
108 Handle portion
109 Bracket
110 Spring
111 Enclosure
200 Electric circuit
201 High voltage system
202 Electric motor
203 Motor controller
204 Accelerator pedal
205 Auxiliary battery
206 Contactor
207 DC-DC convertor