Claims:We claim:

1. A vehicle mounted electrical power generation system (100), the system (100) comprising:
an engine (101) to generate power;
a gearbox (102) coupled to the engine (101) and is configured to transmit power generated by the engine (101) at variable ratios to wheels (103) of the vehicle;
an alternator (104) mounted on a support member of the vehicle and is configured to generate electrical power using the power generated by the engine (101); and
an alter case unit (105), comprising:
an alter case input shaft (106) coupled to an output shaft of the gearbox (102); and
a plurality of drive units (107) disposed on the alter case input shaft (106), wherein, each of the plurality of the drive units (107) are coupled to at least one of a drive shaft (108) of a vehicle and an input shaft of the alternator (104), the plurality of drive units (107) are selectively engagable with the alter case input shaft (106) to transmit power to the alternator (104) or combination of alternator (104) and the drive shaft (108) of the vehicle to generate electrical power.

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of drive units (107) includes a first drive unit (107a) and a second drive unit (107b).

3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first drive unit (107a) is a gear drive coupled to a drive shaft (108) of the vehicle, the first drive unit (107a) is engageable with the alter case input shaft (106) for transmitting power to the wheels (103) of the vehicle.

4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second drive unit (107b) is a chain drive coupled to an input shaft of the alternator (104), the second drive unit (107b) is engageable with the alter case input shaft (106) for transmitting power to the alternator (104).

5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the vehicle will be in stationary condition when only second drive unit (107b) is engaged with the alter case input shaft (106).

6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 5 comprises an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) associated with an engine (101), wherein the ECU is configured to operate the engine (101) at constant speed when only the second drive unit (107b) is engaged with the alter case input shaft (106).

7. The system (100) as claimed in claims 3 and 4, wherein the power transmitted by the first drive unit (107a) is substantially lower than the power transmitted by the second drive unit (107b), when both the first drive unit (107a) and the second drive unit (107b) are engaged with the alter case input shaft (106).

8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprises one or more clutches (109) disposed on the alter case input shaft (106), each of the one or more clutches (109) is configured to selectively engage at least one of the plurality of drive units (107) with the alter case input shaft (106).

9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more clutches (109) are coupled to at least one lever positioned in a vehicle cabin, the at least one lever operable to one more positions for operating the one or more clutches (109).

10. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alternator (104) is at least one of constant speed alternator or variable speed alternator.

11. A vehicle comprising an electrical power generation system (100) as claimed in claim 1.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD

Present disclosure generally relates to field of automobiles. Particularly, but not exclusively the present disclosure relates to an electrical power generation. Further embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a vehicle mounted electrical power generation system.

BACKGROUND

Generally, vehicles such as media vehicles, satellite vehicles as well as other commercial or recreational vehicles, may carry a variety of electrical appliances and equipment for various electrical applications. These electrical appliances may require alternating current for its operation. The electrical appliances may be operated inside the vehicle or outdoors. Generally, to run these electrical appliances, an auxiliary generator may be employed. However, this will cause a noise problem and may not be economically feasible for certain applications. Further, the space taken by these auxiliary generators may be a concern as well. In an alternate way, electricity may be derived from a chargeable battery. However, this method would pose problem such as relatively insufficient battery capacity for large capacity electrical applications.

Considering the above, some of the conventional vehicles are provided with a portable vehicle mounted engine generators. Such generators may have its own small-sized engines, and may be used as sources of electricity for vehicle mounted electrical appliances and tools. Normally, such portable engine generators may be mounted at a fixed position inside the vehicle and selected for the vehicle for such an engine generator to mount in, which permits the user to install a type of desired specification. Generally, a relatively small-sized internal combustion engine may be connected to the generator through the former's output shaft into an integrated unit. Although, enough electrical power may be generated, it may still not be sufficient in case of large output electrical applications and space constraint to accommodate portable engine generators may also be a problem.

Further, in some of the conventional vehicles electrical power may be generated by using the prime mover of the vehicle. This may be achieved by connecting the generator to a power take off or to any other suitable point of connection to prime mover output. However, this system may not be effective when the vehicle is in running condition which may limit the application of the system.

The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One or more shortcomings of the conventional systems are overcome by system as claimed and additional advantages are provided through the provision of assembly as claimed in the present disclosure.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques 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 of the disclosure, a vehicle mounted electrical power generation system is disclosed. The system comprises an engine to generate power, a gearbox coupled to the engine to transmit power generated by the engine and an alternator to generate electrical power using the power generated by the engine. The system further comprises an alter case unit comprising an alter case input shaft coupled to an output shaft of the gearbox and a plurality of drive units disposed on the alter case input shaft. The plurality of drive units are coupled to at least one of a drive shaft of a vehicle and an input shaft of the alternator. The plurality of drive units are selectively engagable with the alter case input shaft to transmit power to the alternator or combination of alternator and the drive shaft of the vehicle to generate electrical power.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the plurality of drive units includes a first drive unit and a second drive unit.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the first drive unit is a gear drive coupled to a drive shaft of the vehicle. The first drive unit is engageable with the alter case input shaft for transmitting power to the wheels of the vehicle.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the second drive unit is a chain drive coupled to an input shaft of the alternator. The second drive unit is engageable with the alter case input shaft for transmitting power to the alternator.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the vehicle will be in stationary condition when only second drive unit is engaged with the alter case input shaft.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the system comprises an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) associated with an engine, wherein the ECU is configured to operate the engine at constant speed when only the second drive unit is engaged with the alter case input shaft.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the power transmitted by the first drive unit is substantially lower than the power transmitted by the second drive unit, when both the first drive unit and the second drive unit are engaged with the alter case input shaft.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the system comprises one or more clutches disposed on the alter case input shaft, each of the one or more clutches is configured to selectively engage at least one of the plurality of drive units with the alter case input shaft. The one or more clutches are coupled to at least one lever positioned in a vehicle cabin, the at least one lever operable to one more positions for operating the one or more clutches.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the alternator is at least one of constant speed alternator or variable speed alternator.

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 characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. 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:

FIG.1A illustrates schematic representation of a vehicle mounted electrical power generation system with an alter case unit configured to supply engine power to both drive shaft and an alternator, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG.1B illustrates schematic representation of a vehicle mounted electrical power generation system with an alter case unit configured to supply engine power to the drive shaft alone, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG.1C illustrates schematic representation of a vehicle mounted electrical power generation system with an alter case unit configured to supply engine power to the alternator alone, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG.2 illustrates schematic representation of the alter case unit with both drive units engaged to input shaft of the alter case unit to supply engine power to the drive shaft and the alternator, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG.3 illustrates schematic representation of the alter case unit with a single drive unit engaged to the input shaft of the alter case unit to supply engine power to the alternator, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG.4 illustrates schematic representation of the alter case unit with a single drive unit engaged to the input shaft of the alter case unit to supply engine power to the alternator, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG.5 illustrates schematic representation of a vehicle mounted electrical power generation system with a power take-off unit, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG.6 illustrates schematic representation of a vehicle mounted electrical power generation system with a belt-pulley drive mechanism, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.
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 structures and 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 claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims.

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, 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. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and make part of this disclosure.

Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a vehicle mounted electrical power generation system. With the provision of electrical power generation system of the present disclosure, it is possible to produce electrical power with the usage of engine power of the vehicle. This eliminates the need for external electrical generators in the vehicle to produce electricity.

The vehicle mounted electrical power generation system of the present disclosure may include engine of the vehicle as a prime mover to generate power and a gearbox coupled to the engine to transmit power generated by the engine. The vehicle mounted electrical power generation system further comprises an alternator or a generator mounted on a support member of the vehicle. The alternator produces electrical power using the power generated by the engine. In an embodiment, the system further comprises an alter case unit to selectively transmit power to the alternator or a drive shaft to drive the rear wheels or combination of both the drive shaft and the alternator. The alter case unit may consist of an input shaft coupled to an output shaft of the gearbox. There may be a plurality of drive units mounted on the input shaft of the alter case unit. These drive units may be coupled to either the drive shaft of the vehicle or the alternator. In an embodiment, the drive units are provisioned on the input shaft of the alter case unit such that they are selectively engagable with the input shaft of the alter case unit. As the alter case unit input shaft is coupled to output shaft of the gearbox, the power generated by the engine may be transmitted to input shaft of the alter case unit through the output shaft of the gearbox. In an embodiment, the plurality of drive units may be selectively engagable to the input shaft of the alter case unit to transmit power to either the drive shaft of the vehicle or the alternator or both the alternator and the drive shaft.

In an embodiment, the plurality of drive units may be first drive unit and a second drive unit. The first drive unit may be coupled with the alternator and the second drive unit may be coupled to the drive shaft of the vehicle. In an embodiment, when only the first drive unit engages with the input shaft of the alter case unit, the power generated by the engine is transmitted only to the alternator to produce electrical power which may be used for electrical applications further. In this condition, no drive is transmitted to the wheels by the drive shaft and hence the vehicle may be stationary. In another embodiment, when both the first drive unit and the second drive unit are engaged to the input shaft of the alternator, the power may be transmitted to both the drive shaft of the vehicle to run the wheels and power may also be transmitted to the alternator for electricity generation. In this mode of operation, substantial amount of power may be transmitted to the alternator than the drive shaft and hence the vehicle may run at low speed. In alternate embodiment, a power take off unit or a belt-pulley drive may be coupled to the output shaft of the gearbox to transmit power to either the drive shaft or the alternator for generating electrical power.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the specification, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that an assembly that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or method. In other words, one or more elements in an assembly proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the assembly.

Henceforth, the present disclosure is explained with the help of one or more figures of exemplary embodiments. However, such exemplary embodiments should not be construed as limitations of the present disclosure. The vehicle mounted electrical power generation system shown in figures is of one particular configuration, it is to be noted that slight variations in configuration of the vehicle mounted electrical power generation system is to be considered as part of the present disclosure.

The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to FIGS.1 to 6. In the figures, the same element or elements which have similar functions are indicated by the same reference signs.

FIG.1A is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure which illustrates schematic representation of a vehicle mounted electrical power generation system (100) with an alter case unit (105). As shown in FIG.1A, the vehicle mounted electrical power generation system (100) may include an engine (101) which generates power. A gearbox (102) may be coupled a crankshaft of the engine (101) to transmit power generated by the engine (101). In an embodiment, the power is transmitted by the gearbox (102) to a drive shaft (108) of the vehicle and further to the rear wheels (103) for movement of the vehicle. Alternatively, the power may be transmitted by the gearbox (102) to an alternator (104) mounted on a support member [not shown] of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the alternator (104) may be of constant speed alternator or a varying speed alternator. Further, the system (100) comprises an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) associated with the engine (101). As shown in FIG.1A, the alter case unit (105) of the vehicle mounted electrical power generation system (100) may be coupled to the gearbox (102) and is configured selectively supply engine power to both the drive shaft (108) of the vehicle and the alternator (104). The alternator (104) may be configured to utilize the power of the engine (101) to produce electrical power or electricity, while the engine power transmitted to the drive shaft (108) runs the vehicle at a low speed. When the engine power is transmitted to both the drive shaft (108) and the alternator (104) by the alter case unit (105), the vehicle speed is low since substantial power of the engine (101) may be transmitted to the alternator (104) to produce electricity. In an embodiment, this mode of operation of the vehicle mounted electrical generation system (100) may be referred to as dual mode, since power is transmitted to both the alternator (104) and the drive shaft (108).

Referring now to FIG.1B, which illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure depicting schematic representation of the vehicle mounted electrical power generation system (100) with the alter case unit (105) configured to transmit power to the drive shaft (108) to run the vehicle. In an embodiment, this mode of operation of the vehicle may be referred to as vehicle mode, where entire power produced by the engine (101) may be transmitted to the drive shaft (108) through the gear box (102) and the alter case unit (105). As a result of transmission of power to the drive shaft (108), the rear wheels (103) coupled to the drive shaft (108) rotate and thus allows movement of the vehicle. In this mode, there may be no generation of electricity or electrical power, since power produced by the engine (101) is not transmitted to the alternator (104).

FIG.1C is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, illustrating schematic representation of the vehicle mounted electrical power generation system (100) with the alter case unit (105) configured to transmit power to the alternator (104) to produce electricity. In an embodiment, this mode of operation of the vehicle may be referred to as power generation mode, where entire power produced by the engine (101) is transmitted to the alternator (104) through the gear box (102) and the alter case unit (105). As a result of transmission of entire power to the alternator (104), the alternator (104) utilizes this power to produce electricity which may be used for electrical application such as but not limited to satellite vehicles or other commercial vehicles which require electricity. Further, since the no power is transmitted to the drive shaft (108), the vehicle remains in stationary or halt condition during this mode of operation.

Referring now to FIG.2, which illustrates schematic representation of the alter case unit (105), configured to transmit power from the gearbox (102) selectively to the drive shaft (108) and the alternator (104). FIG.2 represents dual mode of operation of the vehicle as the power of the engine (101) may be transmitted to both the drive shaft (108) to run the vehicle and the alternator (104) to produce electrical power. As shown in FIG.2, the alter case unit (105) comprises an alter case input shaft (106) which may be coupled to the output shaft of the gearbox (102). The alter case unit (105) further includes a plurality of drive units (107) disposed on the alter case input shaft (106). The plurality of drive units (107) are disposed such that, they are selectively engagable with the alter case input shaft (106). Further, each of the plurality of drive units (107) may be coupled to drive shaft (108) of the vehicle or an input shaft of the alternator (104). As shown in FIG.2, for simplicity, two drive units – first drive unit (107a) and a second drive unit (107b) may be considered. The first drive unit (107a) may be coupled to alternator (104) for producing electricity and the second drive unit (107b) may be coupled to the drive shaft (108) for driving the wheels (103) to run the vehicle. In an embodiment, the first drive unit (107a) may be a gear drive and the second drive unit (107b) may be a chain drive. Additionally, the alter case unit (105) may comprises one or more clutches (109) to selectively engage either the first drive unit (107a) or the second drive unit (107b) with the alter case input shaft (106). In dual mode, as shown in FIG.2, the one or more clutches (109) associated with the first drive unit (107a) and the second drive unit (107b) is engagable with the alter case input shaft (106). Thus, with both the drive units (107a and 107b) engaged with the alter case input shaft (106), the power generated by the engine (101) is transmitted through the first drive unit (107a) and the second drive unit (107b) to transmit power to the drive shaft (108) and the alternator (104). In an embodiment, the power is transmitted to alternator (104) to produce electricity through the first drive unit (107a) and the power is transmitted to the drive shaft (108) through the second drive unit (107b).

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the one or more clutches (109) are coupled to at least one lever [not shown] positioned in a vehicle cabin. The at least one lever is operable to one more positions for operating the one or more clutches (109) to engage the drive units (107a and 107b) with the alter case input shaft (106).

Referring now to FIG.3, is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, which illustrates schematic representation of the alter case unit (105), configured to transmit power generated by the engine to only the alternator (104). As shown in FIG.3, during this mode of operation of the vehicle, also referred to as power generation mode, only the first drive unit (107a) is engaged with the alter case input shaft (106) through one or more clutches (109) and the clutch (109) associated with the second drive unit (107b) may be disengaged from the alter case input shaft (106). Thus, no drive is transmitted to the drive shaft (108) and the vehicle is stationary. The entire power generated by the engine (101) may be transmitted to the alternator (104) for producing electricity. Further, in this drive mode, the ECU of the vehicle may be configured to operate the engine at constant speed to supply power to the constant speed alternator (104).

Referring now to FIG.4, is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, which illustrates schematic representation of the alter case unit (105), configured to transmit power generated by the engine to only the drive shaft (108). As shown in FIG.4, during this mode of operation of the vehicle, also referred to as vehicle mode, only the second drive unit (107a) is engaged with the alter case input shaft (106) through one or more clutches (109) and the clutch (109) associated with the first drive unit (107b) may be disengaged from the alter case input shaft (106). Thus, no drive is transmitted to the alternator (104) to produce electricity. The entire power generated by the engine (101) may be transmitted to the drive shaft (108) for running the vehicle.

FIGS.5 and 6 are schematic representations of alternate embodiments of the vehicle mounted electrical power generation system (100).

As shown in FIG.5, instead of an alter case unit (105), a power take off unit (110) may be used to selectively transmit power from the engine (101) to the alternator (104) to generate electricity. In an embodiment, the power take-off unit or PTO may be coupled to output shaft of the gearbox (102) to transmit power from the engine to the alternator (104).

Further, as shown in FIG.6, a belt-pulley drive (111) may be coupled to output shaft of the gearbox (102). The belt-pulley drive (111) may be used to transmit power from the engine (101) to the drive shaft (108) or the alternator (104) by engaging a second pulley (111a) of the belt-pulley drive (111).

Advantages of the present disclosure

The present disclosure discloses a vehicle mounted electrical generation system for producing electrical power through an alternator mounted on the vehicle. This eliminates the need for external generator systems.

The vehicle mounted electrical generation system of the present disclosure may be used in number of electrical applications where power on wheels may be used such as off highway rural / village electrification, mining, farm, media vehicles etc.
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, 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 description 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, 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 in the description.

Referral Numerals:
Description Reference Number
Vehicle mounted electrical power generation system 100
Engine 101
Gearbox 102
Rear wheels 103
Alternator 104
Alter case unit 105
Alter case input shaft 106
Drive units 107
First drive unit 107a
Second drive unit 107b
Drive shaft of the vehicle 108
Clutches 109
Power take-off unit 110
Belt-pulley drive 111
Second pulley of the belt-pulley drive 111a