Regenerative braking details

electriceddy

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Some interesting and detailed explanations of the regenerative braking systems available in all EVs. Thanks to HKtech from Ioniq5 forum
Well worth the read:
Short story about regenerative system on electric motors.
Regenerative Braking in Electric Vehicles
Regenerative braking is a key technology in electric vehicles (EVs) that harnesses kinetic energy during deceleration and converts it back into electrical energy. This recovered energy is then stored in the vehicle's battery, improving overall energy efficiency and extending driving range.
The Principle of Operation:
  1. Motor as Generator: Unlike gasoline engines, electric motors exhibit reversible operation. When the driver applies the brakes to slow down the vehicle, the electric motor doesn't simply stop spinning. Instead, the controller unit within the vehicle's power electronics system modifies the motor's operating mode.
  2. Magnetic Field Interaction: The controller actively manipulates the current flow in the motor's stator windings, creating a rotating magnetic field that opposes the rotor's rotation. This magnetic field interaction acts as a generator, resisting the rotor's movement.
  3. Back EMF and Energy Conversion: As the rotor's rotation is resisted, a back electromotive force (EMF) is induced within the motor's windings. This back EMF is proportional to the motor's speed and the strength of the opposing magnetic field.
  4. Energy Recovery and Battery Charging: The generated back EMF is then directed back through the vehicle's power electronics system. Here, it is converted into DC current suitable for charging the battery. This recovered energy represents a portion of the kinetic energy that would otherwise be dissipated as heat during traditional friction braking.
Benefits of Regenerative Braking:
  • Increased Driving Range: By capturing and reusing kinetic energy during braking, EVs can achieve a significant extension in driving range on a single charge.
  • Reduced Brake Wear: Traditional friction brakes experience less wear and tear due to regenerative braking handling a portion of the deceleration duties. This translates to lower maintenance costs and extends the lifespan of brake components.
  • Improved Energy Efficiency: Regenerative braking captures and utilizes energy that would otherwise be lost as heat during braking. This contributes to a more efficient use of electrical energy stored in the battery.
Control Strategies and Additional Considerations:
  • Regenerative Braking Blending: Modern EVs often employ a blending strategy between regenerative braking and traditional friction braking. This ensures smooth deceleration and allows the driver to maintain a desired level of control during braking maneuvers.
  • Regenerative Braking Limits: The amount of energy that can be recovered through regenerative braking is limited by factors like battery capacity, state of charge, and thermal limitations of the power electronics system.
Conclusion:
Regenerative braking is a cornerstone technology for electric vehicles. It plays a crucial role in optimizing energy efficiency, extending driving range, and reducing wear and tear on braking components. As EV technology advances, regenerative braking systems will continue to be refined, leading to even greater benefits for both electric vehicles and the environment.
How aggressive regan optimization has effect on the vehicle tear and wear.
This would be for owners who are interested in ultimate care of EV to last for long time.
Potential Benefits:

  • Increased Energy Recovered: Aggressive regen optimization aims to capture more kinetic energy during braking, potentially leading to a greater range extension on a single charge.

Potential Drawbacks:

  • Higher Torque Loads: Aggressive regen translates to a stronger opposing torque applied to the motor shaft during deceleration. This can translate to higher torque loads experienced by the gears and half shafts in the drivetrain.
  • Increased Gear Wear: Over time, these higher torque loads can lead to increased wear and tear on the gear teeth.
  • Half Shaft Stress: The increased torque can also put more stress on the half shafts, which transmit power from the differential to the wheels. This could lead to premature fatigue or even failure in extreme cases.
  • System Complexity: Aggressive regen might necessitate additional control algorithms and hardware reinforcements in the drivetrain to manage the higher torque loads effectively. This can add complexity and potentially increase costs.

Balancing Efficiency and Durability:

  • Engineers usually strike a balance between maximizing energy recovery through regen and ensuring the longevity of the drivetrain components.
  • Strategies like torque limiting or regenerative braking blending with traditional friction brakes can be employed to manage peak torque loads and protect the drivetrain.

Material Selection and Design Considerations:

  • Using high-strength materials for gears and half shafts can help them withstand the increased stress from aggressive regen.
  • Optimizing gear design for better load distribution and minimizing stress concentrations can also improve durability.

Overall:

While aggressive regen optimization offers potential benefits for range extension, it's crucial to consider the impact on drivetrain components like gears and half shafts. Careful engineering and material selection are necessary to ensure a balance between efficiency and durability in an EV.

Additional Points:

  • The specific effects of aggressive regen on drivetrain components depend on several factors, including the vehicle's weight, motor power, and overall design of the drivetrain.
  • Advanced monitoring systems can be used to track drivetrain health and predict potential issues arising from aggressive regen.
 
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Rusty brake rotors (the only regen braking drawback I've experienced)
Actually there is a new feature Hyundai implemented to take care of that Ioniq 5 (not sure if included with other EVs):
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I did reduce the default regen to a lower level on my 21 MY to help reduce the increased torque leading to premature gear wear which the Kona has shown to be an issue. Have not noticed any reduction in efficiency;)
 
i really like the way the car reacts to i-drive, especially in traffic. i dont use it for energy recovery, only for braking effect. i question actual energy recovery in any level vs 0. we have had the car 11 months, my wife does not like it. we only have one car now, so i drive everywhere. i was unable to drve for 3 days, and i just charge it up. she was forced to drive, and put about 130 miles on it, and then i charged it up. i always charge to 100. prior to this, the best we have got is 316. this last time, with only her driving, no regenerative, we got 319. this is all stop and go. additionally, she likes the a/c cold, about 74. i have it on 78+. the car before this was an elantra hybrid, which started out as her car. when i woud fill it with gas, mileage was not that great, aroound 39-40. then it became our only car, so i drove it a lot. then, mpg was 43-44. so, depending on the driver, no regen might be more efficient
 
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