REGENERATIVE BRAKING SYSTEM

REGENERATIVE BRAKING SYSTEM

    

Introduction:

               

                           A brake is a tool that enables in deceleration of a moving object; they use friction to convert kinetic energy into heat. Conventional braking systems use this mechanism. Once the brake pads rub against the wheels of the car, excessive heat energy is produced. The heat generated is lost into the air nearly accounting for about 30% of the car’s generated power. The project here “Regenerative Braking System Project For Mechanical Students” introduces a different braking technology.

                           In this system, regenerative braking mechanism reuses the energy created by the braking process and uses this energy to charge the battery for further use. Generally the energy lost in the conventional use is transferred to the generator of the rotating wheel and is given to the battery. This saves a lot of energy.

          Regenerative braking is one of the emerging technologies which can prove very beneficent. The use of regenerative braking in a vehicle not only results in the recovery of the energy but it also increases the efficiency of vehicle(in case of hybrid vehicles) and saves energy, which is stored in the auxiliary battery.

Working:

                   The driving system of the vehicle is responsible for most of the braking process. As soon as the driver steps onto the brake pedal of the vehicle (either hybrid or electrical), the brakes put the vehicle’s motor in the reverse mode enabling it to run backwards causing the wheels to slow down. While in the reverse mode, the motor operates as an electric generator feeding this electricity into the vehicle’s batteries.

                      Most of the hybrid and electric vehicles in the market employ this technique to extend the life span of the battery pack. It is highly beneficial to use regenerative mechanism as it reduces pollution and also increases the engine life.

Flywheel energy storage:

                  The energy (mechanical) stored in the flywheel is directly given to the vehicle so as to boost its acceleration instantaneously, whenever needed. Generally, the method of transmission of energy directly to the vehicle is more efficient rather than storing it in the
battery, as it does not consists of the conversion of energies. 

                  As, during the recharging of battery, mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy and during discharging electrical energy is converted into mechanical energy. So, due to these conversions transmission loses occur and the efficiency reduces. As, in the other case, there are no transmission loses since mechanical energy stored in the flywheel is directly transferred to the vehicle in its original form. Because of the instant energy supply and high efficiency these type of system is used in F-1 cars.

Future Scope:

                  As in regenerative braking system about 30% of the energy is recuperated, also the system of regenerative braking increases the weight of the vehicle by approximately 25 kg. So rather than manufacturing the metallic gears and metallic flywheel, carbon fiber can be used which will not only reduce the weight of the system but also it will reduce the transmission loses.

Conclusion:

                          In this project Regenerative Braking system, the regenerative brake captures about half of the energy wasted and is utilized by the engine whereas in conventional brakes, 80% energy is wasted. Hence fuel consumption is reduced by 10 to 25 percent in regenerative braking. Not only this, speed of the vehicle is also greatly enhanced by this mechanism of braking.

Application:

• Better fuel economy
• Reduced CO2 emissions
• Approximately 30% saving in fuel consumption
• The lower operating and environment cost of the vehicle