Optimized Gear Selection to Maximize Energy Savings in Electric Traction Drives

INVENTION REFERENCE NUMBER

202606262

  • Transportation
A line of yellow and grey snowplow trucks sit parked on a paved lot under a bright blue sky. The trucks are equipped with snowplow blades. One of the trucks has an orange tank or container. The setting is urban with buildings and a utility pole visible. Image from Envato

Electric traction systems in medium- and heavy-duty vehicles are often designed around peak operating demands, resulting in oversized components and reduced efficiency during typical operation. The technology provides a systematic approach utilizing AI-based tool, Genetic Algorithm, for optimizing gear selection in multi-speed electric drivetrains to better align drivetrain performance with real-world operating conditions. The result is lower energy consumption, reduced operating costs, improved drivetrain utilization, and the potential to reduce the size, weight, and cost of key traction system components while maintaining vehicle performance.

Description

The technology improves the performance of electric traction drivetrains by optimizing gear selection based on real-world vehicle operating conditions. Rather than relying on conventional approaches that may not fully account for how vehicles are typically used, the invention applies an AI-based optimization framework to identify gear configurations that improve overall drivetrain operation across a range of driving scenarios. The approach enables electric motors and associated power electronics to operate more frequently within efficient operating regions, reducing energy losses and improving component utilization. It also supports real-time gear selection strategies that can adapt to changing operating conditions over the life of the vehicle. By improving drivetrain efficiency while reducing demands on major components, the technology offers manufacturers an opportunity to lower system cost, decrease thermal loading, and improve overall vehicle performance without compromising operational requirements.

Benefits

  • Reduces drivetrain energy consumption and operating costs
  • Improves utilization of electric motors and power electronics
  • Enables smaller, lighter traction system components
  • Reduces thermal loading on drivetrain components
  • Supports real-time drivetrain optimization

Applications and Industries

  • Medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles
  • Commercial truck manufacturers
  • Electric drivetrain and transmission suppliers
  • Off-highway and industrial vehicles
  • Fleet transportation systems

Contact

To learn more about this technology, email [email protected] or call 865-574-1051.



Contact

To learn more about this technology, email [email protected] or call 865-574-1051.