A patent recently exposed by Ford Motor Company indicates that the Detroit automobile manufacturer may have a solution. They may provide a range extension device that can be directly inserted on the upcoming new energy F- 150 model.
In this document submitted to the US Patent Office on September 15, 2005, the above invention is described as "a movable and replaceable extended-range power generation device". In fact, this is not a brand-new concept. Including Chevrolet Volt and BMW i3? Several electric vehicles, including REx, have adopted this concept of on-board power generation.
This solution is very different from plug-in hybrid vehicles. In the plug-in hybrid scheme, the vehicle pairs the electric drive system with the internal combustion engine to improve the power or take over the vehicle when the vehicle battery is exhausted. It is worth noting that gasoline or diesel engines are directly related to wheels.
When using the extended range device, there is no direct connection between the engine and the wheels. ? Its sole purpose is to generate electricity, which can be used to charge a depleted battery or power the engine of a vehicle.
On the hybrid pickup truck, the internal combustion engine can play a third role-it is used as a tool in the workplace to generate electricity for lighting and other equipment. On Ford's 202 1 plug-in hybrid F- 150, the internal combustion engine can turn the pickup truck into a "walking generator".
In the field of pure electric vehicles, the good news is that the energy density of batteries is getting bigger and bigger (it can provide a larger cruising range) and the price is getting cheaper and cheaper. ? Tesla, Ford, Rivian and Bollinger mentioned Lordstown? Manufacturers such as motors promise to provide at least 480 kilometers of cruising range on all kinds of pure electric leather released by them.
Gm said that the upcoming GMC Hummer pure electric version will push the cruising range to 640 kilometers.
But these data should be interpreted rationally, because they will be significantly affected by various factors, and the degree of influence may be very large. ? These factors include not only the load of trucks and the weight of tractors, but also the weather. Studies by many authoritative organizations in the United States show that when the temperature drops to MINUS 6℃, the cruising range of pure electric vehicles usually drops by more than 40%.
As many automobile manufacturers plan to launch electric pickup trucks, it may be difficult for them to overcome this obstacle when selling such products to many commercial and professional buyers.
Using the built-in generator can eliminate mileage anxiety or help solve problems. ? Ford's patent application shows that the company designed its extended range equipment as a pluggable part of the electric F- 150, rather than a fixed part. In this case, the owner or driver only needs to insert the equipment into the chassis when the cruising range needs to be improved, and can unplug the equipment to release the interior space at other times.
According to the application documents, inserting this extended range device is equivalent to storing up to 56 liters of fuel for the vehicle, which is enough to fully improve the cruising range between two charges.
Ford pointed out in its application documents that this "toolbox" generator "can be installed in the cargo hold in a pluggable form for selectively outputting electricity to charge the battery pack or push the (electric) driving wheel."
Of course, the biggest problem with such inventions may be the cost. ? Ford did not mention the price of this extended range suit in the patent application. ? The purchase price is only part of it. ? For motorcades and other commercial users, one of the biggest selling points of electric vehicles is the low operating cost, and adding extended range devices may make the electric operation scheme lose its advantage.
Of course, the patents applied by automobile manufacturers may not be put into actual production. Therefore, it is unclear whether Ford will really provide extended range technology. If so, when it will be released is also a question.
According to the existing plan, Ford F- 150 electric pickup truck will be sold from 2022. By then, GMC Hummer and Rivian's electric version? Competitive electric pickups such as R 1T and Tesla Cybertruck will also come out.
This article comes from car home, the author of the car manufacturer, and does not represent car home's position.