Claims:1. An apparatus to improve the efficiency of an electric vehicle, comprising:
an at least a first hub motor (101) that is disposed within an at least a front wheel of an electric vehicle, said at least one first hub motor (101) being: associated with an at least a first hall sensor; powered by the movement of the electric vehicle; and communicatively associated with an at least a first regenerative controller (102);
the at least one first regenerative controller (102) that is communicatively associated with an at least a first DC-DC converter (103) and an at least a first battery management system (104);
the at least one first DC-DC converter (103) that is communicatively associated with a display and communication module (105), said display and communication module (105) comprising: a display, and a communication module;
the communication module, through which the apparatus communicates with an application installable on a computing device, with the apparatus being configured and controlled remotely through the application installable on a computing device;
the at least one first battery management system (104) that is communicatively associated with an at least a first battery module (106), said at least one first battery module (104) being communicatively associated with a relay module (107);
the relay module (107) that receives signals from an at least a second battery module (108), said at least a second battery module (108) being communicatively associated with an at least a second battery management system (109);
the at least one second battery management system (109) that is communicatively associated with an at least a second regenerative controller (110); and
the at least one second regenerative controller (110) that receives signals from an at least a second hub motor (111) that is disposed within an at least a rear wheel of the electric vehicle, said at least one second hub motor (111) being: communicatively associated with an at least a second DC-DC converter (112); and associated with an at least a second hall sensor,
with: the at least one first hub motor (101) and the at least one first regenerative controller (102) being involved in the continuous regeneration or recharging of a discharged battery module (106 or 108); the at least one second hub motor (111) and the at least one second regenerative controller (110) being involved in regeneration or topping up of the battery module (106 or 108) that drives the electric vehicle, through regenerative braking; and the apparatus being configured to detect when the level of the battery module (106 or 108) powering the electric vehicle goes below a pre-defined threshold, to enable the other battery module (106 or 108) to automatically take over and power the electric vehicle, through the relay module (107).

2. The apparatus to improve the efficiency of an electric vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display is a seven inch, touch-enabled display.

3. The apparatus to improve the efficiency of an electric vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the relay module (107) comprises a two-channel relay.

4. The apparatus to improve the efficiency of an electric vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one first regenerative controller (102) is a 30A sine wave vector regenerative controller.

5. The apparatus to improve the efficiency of an electric vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one second regenerative controller (110) is a 65A sine wave vector regenerative controller.

6. The apparatus to improve the efficiency of an electric vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one first battery module (106) is a 72V, 24AH Lithium-Ion battery.

7. The apparatus to improve the efficiency of an electric vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one second battery module (108) is a 72V, 24AH Lithium-Ion battery.

8. The apparatus to improve the efficiency of an electric vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one first hub motor (101) is a 2,000 Watt, 72V hub motor.

9. The apparatus to improve the efficiency of an electric vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one second hub motor (111) is a 2,000 Watt, 72V hub motor.

10. An electric vehicle comprising the apparatus to improve the efficiency of an electric vehicle as claimed in claim 1.

11. The electric vehicle as claimed in claim 10, wherein regeneration stops when a sports mode is selected, in which the electric vehicle is driven by both the at least one first battery module (106) and the at least one second battery module (108), thereby boosting up the top speed, as well as the torque. , Description:TITLE OF THE INVENTION: AN APPARATUS TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure is generally to an apparatus to improve the efficiency of an electric vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Electric vehicles are touted as one of the solutions to tackle the crisis of climate change, in addition to being viewed as the future of transportation. Several countries across the world have already initiated the process of transitioning to electric vehicles by slowly phasing out vehicles with internal combustion engines.
However, while many countries across the world have a good network of stations that pump fuel, such as petrol, diesel, or gasoline, the same does not hold true with regards to stations for charging electric stations.
As a result, it is vital that electric vehicles are able to cover a sufficiently long distance on a single charge. However, the range for current vehicles available in the market is quite short.
The need for repeated charging and the fear of being stranded on the road without any charge are preventing many people from making the switch to electric vehicles.
Some vehicles have regenerative braking, which charges the battery when brakes are applied; but the power generated is quite low and not sufficient to charge the battery pack of an electric vehicle on its own.
There is, therefore, a need in the art for an apparatus to improve the efficiency of an electric vehicle that overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks and shortcomings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An apparatus to improve the efficiency of an electric vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: an at least a first hub motor; an at least a first regenerative controller; an at least a first DC-DC converter; an at least a first battery management system; a display and communication module; an at least a first battery module; a relay module; an at least a second battery module; an at least a second battery management system; an at least a second regenerative controller; an at least a second hub motor; and an at least a second DC-DC converter.
The at least one first hub motor is disposed within an at least a front wheel of an electric vehicle. Said at least one first hub motor is associated with an at least a first hall sensor and is powered by the movement of the electric vehicle. Said at least one first hub motor is also communicatively associated with the at least one first regenerative controller.
The at least one first regenerative controller is communicatively associated with the at least one first DC-DC converter. Said at least one first regenerative controller is also communicatively associated the at least one first battery management system.
The at least one first DC-DC converter is communicatively associated with a display and communication module. Said display and communication module comprises: a display, and a communication module.
The apparatus communicates with an application installable on a computing device through the communication module. The apparatus may also be configured and controlled remotely through the application installable on a computing device.
The at least one first battery management system is communicatively associated with the least one first battery module. Said at least one first battery module is communicatively associated with the relay module.
The relay module also receives signals from the at least one second battery module. Said at least one second battery module is communicatively associated with the at least one second battery management system.
The at least one second battery management system is communicatively associated with the at least one second regenerative controller.

The at least one second regenerative controller receives signals from the at least one second hub motor that is disposed within an at least a rear wheel of the electric vehicle. Said at least one second hub motor is communicatively associated with the at least one second DC-DC converter. Said at least one second hub motor is also associated with an at least a second hall sensor.
The at least one first hub motor and the at least one first regenerative controller are involved in the regeneration of a discharged battery module.
The at least one second hub motor and the at least one second regenerative controller are involved in regeneration or topping up of the battery module that drives the electric vehicle, through regenerative braking.
The apparatus is configured to detect when the level of the battery module powering the electric vehicle goes below a pre-defined threshold, to enable the other battery module to automatically take over and power the electric vehicle, through the relay module.
The disclosed apparatus increases the range of the electric vehicle, by producing continuous power to charge the battery modules, while the vehicle is running, and during the application of brakes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of an apparatus to improve the efficiency of an electric vehicle, in accordance with the present disclosure; and
Figure 2 illustrates the disposition of an at least a hub motor within an at least a wheel of an electric vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Throughout this specification, the use of the words "comprise" and “include”, and variations such as "comprises" "comprising", “includes”, and “including” may imply the inclusion of an element or elements not specifically recited. Further, the disclosed embodiments may be embodied in various other forms as well.
Throughout this specification, the phrases “at least a”, “at least an”, and “at least one” are used interchangeably.
Throughout this specification, the phrase ‘application on a computing device’ and its variations are to be construed as being inclusive of: application installable on a computing device, website hosted on a computing device, web application installed on a computing device, website accessible from a computing device, and web application accessible from a computing device.
Throughout this specification, the phrase ‘computing device’ and its variations are to be construed as being inclusive of: the Cloud, remote servers, desktop computers, laptop computers, mobile phones, smart phones, tablets, phablets, and smart watches.
Throughout this specification, the use of the word plurality is to be construed as being inclusive of at least one.
Throughout this specification, the use of the word “apparatus” is to be construed as a set of technical components that are communicatively associated with each other, and function together as part of a mechanism to achieve a desired technical result.
Throughout this specification, the use of the word “communication” is to be construed as being inclusive of one-way communication and two-way communication, as the case may be.
Throughout this specification, the use of the word “vehicle” is to be construed as being inclusive of two-wheeled vehicles, three-wheeled vehicles, four-wheeled vehicles, and the like.
Throughout this specification, the disclosure of a range is to be construed as being inclusive of the lower limit of the range and the upper limit of the range.
An apparatus to improve the efficiency of an electric vehicle is disclosed. As illustrated in Figure 1, an embodiment of the apparatus comprises an at least a first hub motor (101) that is disposed within an at least a front wheel of an electric vehicle. The at least one first hub motor (101) is associated with an at least a first hall sensor.
The at least one first hub motor (101) is powered by the movement of the electric vehicle and generates power. Further, the at least one first hub motor (101) is also communicatively associated with an at least a first regenerative controller (102).
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one first regenerative controller (102) is a microcontroller.
In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one first regenerative controller (102) is a System on Chip.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least first regenerative controller (102) is a Single Board Computer.
The at least one first regenerative controller (102) is communicatively associated with an at least a first DC-DC converter (103) and an at least a first battery management system (104).
Said at least one first DC-DC converter (103) is communicatively associated with a display and communication module (105), said display and communication module (105) comprising: a display, and a communication module.
The apparatus communicates with an application installable on a computing device through the communication module, through which the apparatus may be configured and controlled remotely.
The application installable on a computing device is configured to enable: starting and stopping of the electric vehicle; and turning on and turning off of headlight (s); tail light (s); and indicators or turn signals.
Further, the application installable on a computing device is also configured to display information, such as: capacity of the battery modules; range; and other user information required. All this information is also displayed through the display as well.
The communication from the apparatus with the application installable on a computing device may occur through wireless internet, mobile data, Bluetooth Low Energy, LoRa, ZigBee, or the like.
The display is disposed at a front portion of the electric vehicle at a location that is convenient and easy for viewing by a driver of the electric vehicle.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the display is a LED display.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the display is a LCD display.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the display is a seven inch, touch-enabled display.
The at least one first battery management system (104) is communicatively associated with an at least a first battery module (106), which, in turn, is communicatively associated with a relay module (107).
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, said relay module (107) comprises a two-channel relay.
The relay module (107) also receives signals from an at least a second battery module (108), which, in turn, is communicatively associated with an at least a second battery management system (109).
The at least one first battery management system (104) and the at least one second battery management system (109) are involved in charging the at least one first battery module (106) and the at least one second battery module (108), respectively, by equalizing the charging and discharging.
The at least one first battery management system (104) and the at least one second battery management system (109) also prevent the at least one first battery module (106) and the at least one second battery module (108), respectively, from overcharging, thereby maintaining and increasing their life.
The at least one second battery management system (109) is communicatively associated with an at least a second regenerative controller (110).
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one second regenerative controller (110) is a microcontroller.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one second regenerative controller (110) is a System on Chip.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one second regenerative controller (110) is a Single Board Computer.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one first regenerative controller (102) and the at least one second regenerative controller (110) are 30A sine wave vector regenerative controller and 65A sine wave vector regenerative controller, respectively.
The at least one second regenerative controller (110) receives signals from an at least a second hub motor (111) that is disposed within an at least a rear wheel of the electric vehicle, said at least one second hub motor (111) being communicatively associated with an at least a second DC-DC converter (112). The at least one second hub motor (111) is also associated with an at least a second hall sensor.
Figure 2 illustrates the disposition of the at least one hub motor (101 or 111) within the at least one wheel (front wheel or rear wheel) of the electric vehicle.
The at least one first hub motor (101) and the at least one first regenerative controller (102) are involved in continuous regeneration (i.e. recharging) of the at least one first battery module (106) and the at least one second battery module (108).
The recharging of the at least one first battery module (106) or the at least one second battery module (108) is performed only when the at least one first battery module (106) or the at least one second battery module (108) is discharged.
The at least one second hub motor (111) and the at least one second regenerative controller (110) are involved in regeneration or topping up of the battery module that drives the electric vehicle, through regenerative braking.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the electric vehicle is a two-wheeled vehicle. The at least one first battery module (106) and the at least one second battery module (108) are disposed adjacent to a fuel tank portion of the two-wheeler and neatly secured by a frame of the two-wheeler.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one first battery module (106) and the at least one second battery module (108) are 72V, 24AH Lithium-Ion batteries.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one first regenerative controller (102) and the at least one second regenerative controller (110) are disposed side-by-side on a metal plate.
The at least one second regenerative controller (110) may be involved in driving the electric vehicle. It controls the various aspects of the electric vehicle, such as throttle, regenerative breaking, and reverse functions of the electric vehicle.
The at least one first regenerative controller (102) may gather the regenerated power from the at least one first hub motor (101) and convert the energy to required energy to charge a discharged battery module.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one first hub motor (101) and the at least one second hub motor (111) are 2,000 Watt, 72V hub motors.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the range of the electric vehicle is 180 km to 200 km on a single charge.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, regeneration stops when a sports mode is selected. In the sports mode, the electric vehicle is driven by both the at least one first battery module (106) and the at least one second battery module (108), thereby boosting up the top speed, as well as the torque.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the electric vehicle needs to come to a halt before being shifted to the sports mode.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the electric vehicle may be operated through three different modes, namely an economy mode; a performance mode; and the sports mode, with the modes being controlled by the at least one second regenerative controller (102).
In operation, when the electric vehicle begins to run with the at least one first battery module (106) and the at least one second battery module (108) fully charged, either the at least one first battery module (106) or the at least one second battery module (108) powers the electric vehicle.
The apparatus is configured to detect when the level of the battery module powering the electric vehicle goes below a pre-defined threshold. In such a situation, the other battery module automatically takes over and powers the electric vehicle, through the relay module (107).
At the same time, the recharging of the discharged battery module is initiated. A one-way blocking high current diode stops the flow of current from the battery module that is being recharged to its respective controller.
The above process gets repeated iteratively.
An at least a voltmeter checks whether the battery module powering the electric vehicle is discharged or not.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one voltmeter detects the battery module powering the electric vehicle as fully charged if its voltage is 84 +/- 1.8V.
Likewise, the at least one voltmeter detects the battery module powering the electric vehicle as fully discharged if its voltage is 60 +/- 1.5V.
In addition, while the electric vehicle is running, the battery module that powers the electric vehicle is also regenerated or topped up whenever the brakes of the electric vehicle are applied.
To increase the efficiency of the electric vehicle, only the regenerative power runs all the electronics; thus, there is not any extra load on the battery modules that run the electric vehicle.

TESTING:
The disclosed apparatus was tested with a single battery module on an electric bike. The path selected was from Mehdipatnam to Chevella in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. The total testing distance was about 30 km.
Without regeneration, upon travelling 25 km, the voltage of the battery module came down from 84V to 74V; thus, there was a loss of 10V.
With regeneration, upon travelling the same distance, the battery was drained by only 6V, resulting in an approximately 40% efficiency with regeneration.
With regeneration, the bike was allowed to run it till the battery module was drained. The bike ran about 95 km through a single battery module. Thus, if with two battery modules, the range is about 190 km on a single charge with small battery packs.
The regeneration power was also tested through a multimeter to check the voltage continuously.
A person skilled in the art will appreciate the fact that the electric vehicle comprising the disclosed apparatus is also to be construed as being within the scope of this disclosure.
The disclosed apparatus increases the range of the electric vehicle, by producing continuous power to charge the battery modules, while the vehicle is running, and during the application of brakes. The disclosed apparatus increases the total range of the electric vehicle by about 40% to 50% i.e. the electric vehicle can travel a distance that is about 40% to 50% greater than other electric vehicles with the same specifications.
It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the above description is for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as limiting. Various modifications, additions, alterations and improvements without deviating from the spirit and the scope of the disclosure may be made by a person skilled in the art. Such modifications, additions, alterations and improvements should be construed as being within the scope of this disclosure.
List of Reference Numerals
101 – At Least One First Hub Motor
102 – At Least One First Regenerative Controller
103 – At Least One First DC-DC Converter
104 – At Least One First Battery Management System
105 – Display and Communication Module
106 – At Least One First Battery Module
107 – Relay Module
108 – At Least One Second Battery Module
109 – At Least One Second Battery Management System
110 – At Least One Second Regenerative Controller
111 – At Least One Second Hub Motor
112 - At Least One Second DC-DC Converter