BMW patents battery-charging suspension system

You’ve heard of regenerative braking, however what about regenerative suspension?

A patent uncovered by CarBuzz reveals BMW is trying into utilizing vitality from the motion of an electrical automotive’s suspension system to cost its battery pack.

The system seems to make use of related {hardware} to the 48V lively anti-roll programs changing into widespread on heavy, high-performance SUVs.

Based mostly on the patent drawings and CarBuzz reporting, it seems the system includes a generator unit (with a small flywheel) mounted on the automobile’s chassis.

It’s related to the suspension springs themselves with what appears like a stabiliser bar.

When the suspension’s spring compresses the stabiliser bar twists in a single course, rotating an ‘actuator disc’.

When the spring decompresses, releasing the vitality saved on the compression stroke, the stabiliser arm rotates within the different course, turning the actuator disc in the other way. This time, nevertheless, a clutch permits the disc to drive the generator via a small gearbox.

When the generator’s flywheel spins, it generates electrical energy which might then be fed into the battery.

It’s a variation on the idea behind regenerative braking in electrical automobiles, the place the drive motors act as dynamos to reap vitality often wasted when the motive force steps on the brakes.

It’s not clear how a lot further vary BMW expects the system may add to its electrical automobiles, nor when it’d attain manufacturing.

If the system does ever attain manufacturing, it’s more likely to debut on a high-end mannequin with a suitably sky-high price ticket. It’s additionally potential it’ll characteristic on the model’s upcoming Neue Klasse platform.