Vehicle drive unit and vehicle

Abstract

The utility model provides a vehicle driving unit and a vehicle. The vehicle drive unit includes a ring gear, an input gear, and four links. The gear ring is used for being coaxially connected to a wheel, the input gear is used for being connected to a power source, and the four connecting rods can rotate mutually and are connected end to end to form a quadrilateral structure. The rotating center of the gear ring is rotationally connected to a first connecting point between the connecting rods, the rotating center of the input gear is rotationally connected to a second connecting point between the connecting rods, and the first connecting point and the second connecting point are located on one diagonal line of the quadrilateral structure. The connecting rod is provided with a plurality of transmission gears which are meshed with each other and meshed with the gear ring and the input gear, the input gear can transmit power to the gear ring through the transmission gears, and the distance between the input gear and the gear ring can be changed along with deformation of the quadrilateral structure. The vehicle provided by the utility model comprises the vehicle and the vehicle driving unit, and the vehicle driving unit is used for driving wheels.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a vehicle drive system, in particular to a vehicle drive unit and a vehicle. BACKGROUND

[0002] The motor and transmission of an electric vehicle are usually installed on the vehicle body. Some electric vehicles set the motor and transmission in the wheel rim, which undoubtedly increases the unsprung mass and affects the handling and comfort.

[0003] The transmission of the vehicle and the wheel are usually connected through a shaft coupling (such as a universal joint), which can allow the radial relative movement between the wheel and the transmission due to the ruggedness of the ground, the vibration of the vehicle, etc. The setting of the shaft coupling increases the axial distance between the wheel and the transmission, and occupies the space of the chassis.

[0004] Patent US20230311646A1 discloses a drive system, which sets a reduction gear into the wheel rim and sets the motor near the wheel, shortens the transmission length and releases the space in the vehicle. However, its disadvantages include:

[0005] (1) The end gear of the gear train needs to mesh with the ring gear, and a special planet carrier is needed to fix the position of the end gear, and the structure is relatively complex.

[0006] (2) The planet carrier is relatively fixed with the ring gear and the wheel, so the planet carrier also needs to be connected to the suspension system, which increases the unsprung mass.

[0007] (3) The radial relative movement range of the motor and the wheel is limited by the size of the ring gear, and the arrangement position of the motor is not flexible enough. For example, if the motor is coaxial with the wheel during normal driving, the motor will be tested by the ground clearance if the wheel jumps up too much; if the motor is not coaxial with the wheel during normal driving, the motor is relatively high, and the distance that the wheel can jump when the wheel jumps down is tested. SUMMARY

[0008] In order to solve or alleviate at least one problem mentioned in the background art, the present application provides a vehicle drive unit and a vehicle.

[0009] The vehicle drive unit provided by the present application comprises:

[0010] a ring gear for being coaxially connected to a wheel;

[0011] an input gear for being connected to a power source;

[0012] Four connecting rods, which are rotatable relative to each other and connected end to end to form a quadrilateral structure, a rotation center of the ring gear is rotatably connected to a first connecting point between the connecting rods, a rotation center of the input gear is rotatably connected to a second connecting point between the connecting rods, the first connecting point and the second connecting point are located on one diagonal of the quadrilateral structure, a plurality of transmission gears are arranged on the connecting rods and mesh with each other and with the ring gear and the input gear respectively, the input gear can transmit power to the ring gear through the transmission gears, and the distance between the input gear and the ring gear can change with the deformation of the quadrilateral structure.

[0013] In at least one embodiment, the vehicle drive unit includes a power source connected to a vehicle body and a suspension system to which the ring gear is connected.

[0014] In at least one embodiment, the transmission gears include two groups of transmission gears symmetrically arranged on both sides of a line connecting the first connecting point and the second connecting point, and the connecting rods on both sides of the line are symmetric about the line.

[0015] In at least one embodiment, the number of transmission gears in each group is even.

[0016] In at least one embodiment, the ends of all the connecting rods and the two ends of at least part of the connecting rods are provided with connecting rod shafts, and the rotation centers of the transmission gears, the input gear and the ring gear are rotatably connected to the connecting rod shafts respectively.

[0017] In at least one embodiment, the connecting rods include a first connecting rod, the first connecting rod is fixedly provided with a first connecting rod shaft and a second connecting rod shaft, the rotation center of the ring gear is rotatably connected to the first connecting rod shaft, the transmission gears include a ring gear transmission gear, the rotation center of the ring gear transmission gear is rotatably connected to the second connecting rod shaft, the distance between the first connecting rod shaft and the second connecting rod shaft is configured as the sum or difference of the radii of the ring gear and the ring gear transmission gear, so that the ring gear transmission gear is always engaged with the external or internal teeth of the ring gear.

[0018] In at least one embodiment, the transmission gears include a transition transmission gear having two meshing regions in the axial direction, so that the two gears engaged with the transition transmission gear can be staggered in the axial direction, so that the input gear and the ring gear are configured to be axially staggered.

[0019] In at least one embodiment, the connecting rods are configured such that, in the case where the axis of the ring gear extends along a horizontal plane, the projection of the line connecting the first connecting point and the second connecting point on the plane perpendicular to the axis of the ring gear extends in the vertical direction.

[0020] In at least one embodiment, the connecting rod is configured such that the rotation center of the input gear is located above the rotation center of the ring gear.

[0021] The vehicle provided by the embodiments of the present application comprises:

[0022] A wheel;

[0023] A vehicle drive unit as described above, which is used to drive the wheel.

[0024] Compared with the prior art that requires a shaft coupling connection between the transmission and the wheel, the embodiments of the present application are provided with a plurality of transmission gears on the connecting rod of the quadrilateral structure, which are engaged with each other and respectively engaged with the ring gear and the input gear, so that the input gear can transmit power to the ring gear through the transmission gears, and the distance between the input gear and the ring gear can be changed with the deformation of the quadrilateral structure, thus eliminating the need to set the shaft coupling, and releasing the space occupied by the shaft coupling.

[0025] Compared with the prior art that requires a special planetary carrier that is relatively static with the ring gear to fix the end gear, the embodiments of the present application are provided with a transmission gear on the connecting rod of the quadrilateral structure, the moving range of each component is controllable, the planetary carrier can be omitted, the structure of the present application is simpler, and the unsprung mass caused by the planetary carrier is also avoided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a vehicle drive unit according to one embodiment of the present application is shown, in which the transmission gears are engaged with the outside (outer teeth) of the ring gear (outer gear).

[0027] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a vehicle drive unit in Figure 1 is shown, in which the rotation center of the input gear is relatively close to the rotation center of the ring gear.

[0028] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a vehicle drive unit according to another embodiment of the present application is shown, in which the transmission gears are engaged with the inside (inner teeth) of the ring gear (inner gear).

[0029] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a vehicle drive unit in Figure 3 is shown, in which the position of the input gear is moved upward relative to the rotation center of the ring gear.

[0030] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a vehicle drive unit in Figure 3 , Figure 4 is shown, in which the position of the input gear is further moved upward relative to the rotation center of the ring gear.

[0031] Figure 6 A schematic view of a vehicle drive unit according to yet another embodiment of the present application is shown, wherein the transmission gear engages the outer side of the ring gear and the input gear is located laterally above the center of rotation of the ring gear.

[0032] Legend

[0033] 100 ring gear

[0034] 200 input gear

[0035] 300 connecting rod

[0036] 310 first connecting point

[0037] 320 second connecting point

[0038] 330 connecting rod shaft

[0039] 340 first connecting rod

[0040] 341 first connecting rod shaft

[0041] 342 second connecting rod shaft

[0042] 400 transmission gear

[0043] 410 ring gear transmission gear

[0044] 420 transition transmission gear

[0045] 500 suspension system DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] The exemplary embodiments of the present application will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the specific description is only for the purpose of teaching the way to carry out the present application and is not intended to limit the scope of the present application.

[0047] The embodiments of the present application provide a vehicle drive unit and a vehicle.

[0048] Referring to Figure 1 , the vehicle drive unit can include a ring gear 100, an input gear 200 and four connecting rods 300.

[0049] The ring gear 100 is configured to be coaxially connected to a wheel (not shown in the drawings) and to drive the wheel to rotate via the ring gear 100 (also referred to as an output gear). Here, the ring gear 100 is an external gear.

[0050] The input gear 200 is configured to be connected to a power source (not shown in the drawings). The power source can be an electric machine, and more particularly, an electric motor. Of course, the power source can also be another form of power source that can drive the input gear 200 to rotate.

[0051] The four connecting rods 300 are rotatable relative to each other and are connected end to end to form a quadrilateral structure. The rotation center of the ring gear 100 can be rotatably connected to a first connecting point 310 between the connecting rods 300, and the rotation center of the input gear 200 can be rotatably connected to a second connecting point 320 between the connecting rods 300. The first connecting point 310 and the second connecting point 320 are located on a diagonal of the quadrilateral structure. The connecting rods 300 can also be provided with a plurality of transmission gears 400 that mesh with each other and mesh with the ring gear 100 and the input gear 200, respectively. The input gear 200 can transmit power to the ring gear 100 through the transmission gears 400, and the distance between the input gear 200 and the ring gear 100 can change with the deformation of the quadrilateral structure, the power transmission is uninterrupted, and a shaft coupling is not required.

[0052] Compared with the prior art that requires a shaft coupling to connect between the transmission and the wheels, the embodiments of the present application can eliminate the shaft coupling and release the space occupied by the shaft coupling (at the vehicle chassis).

[0053] Compared with the prior art that requires a special planetary carrier that is relatively stationary with respect to the ring gear 100 to achieve meshing between the transmission gears 400 and the ring gear 100, the embodiments of the present application provide transmission gears on the connecting rods 300 of the quadrilateral structure, the movement range of each component is controllable, the planetary carrier is eliminated, the structure of the present application is simpler, and the unsprung mass caused by the planetary carrier is also avoided.

[0054] Further, referring to Figure 1 , the vehicle drive unit can include the aforementioned power source (not shown in the figure) and a suspension system 500. The power source is used to connect to the vehicle body (such as a subframe, not shown in the figure), the ring gear 100 and the wheels are connected to the suspension system 500.

[0055] Compared with the prior art that also provides a power source on the wheels, the present application provides a power source on the vehicle body, which can reduce the unsprung mass and increase the operability and comfort. In the example of Figure 1 , the rotation center of the ring gear 100 can be connected to the suspension system 500, and the suspension system 500 is connected to the vehicle body through the input gear 200. Of course, the suspension system 500 can also be directly connected to the vehicle body without passing through the input gear 200 (not shown in the figure).

[0056] Referring to Figure 1, the transmission gears 400 can include two groups of transmission gears 400 symmetrically arranged on both sides of the line connecting the first connecting point 310 and the second connecting point 320. The connecting rods 300 on both sides of the line are also symmetrical about the line, so that the relative movement between the input gear 200 and the gear ring 100 is smoother. It can be understood that when the two groups of transmission gears 400 are not symmetrical, for example, one group of transmission gears 400 is replaced by one gear with a larger diameter instead of three small gears, the relative movement between the input gear 200 and the gear ring 100 can also be achieved to a certain extent. When the connecting rod 200 is not symmetrical, although a certain degree of relative movement can be achieved, the gear parameters, the length of the connecting rod, and the distance of the relative movement between the input gear 200 and the gear ring 100 will be tested.

[0057] Further, referring to Figure 1 , the number of each group of transmission gears 400 can be even. For example, the line right side of the first connecting point 310 and the second connecting point 320 includes four transmission gears 400, so that when the input gear 200 moves without rotation (for example, close to or away from the gear ring 100), the rotation of the connecting rod 300 does not interfere with the rotation of the transmission gear 400. Figures 1 to 5 The rotation direction of the transmission gear 400 corresponding to the movement of the input gear 200 without rotation is shown.

[0058] Further, referring to Figure 1 , Figure 3 , the ends of all connecting rods 300 and between at least part of the two ends of the connecting rod 300 can be provided with a connecting rod shaft 330, and the rotation centers of the transmission gears 400, the input gear 200, and the gear ring 100 are respectively connected to the connecting rod shaft 330. By controlling the position of the connecting rod shaft 330 on the connecting rod 300 and the corresponding gear parameters (described later), the mutual engagement of the gears can be achieved, and the power transmission can be achieved.

[0059] Further, referring to Figure 1 , Figure 3 , the connecting rod 300 can include a first connecting rod 340, and the first connecting rod 340 is fixedly provided with a first connecting rod shaft 341 and a second connecting rod shaft 342. The rotation center of the gear ring 100 is connected to the first connecting rod shaft 341, and the transmission gear 400 includes a gear ring transmission gear 410, and the rotation center of the gear ring transmission gear 410 is connected to the second connecting rod shaft 342. The distance between the first connecting rod shaft 341 and the second connecting rod shaft 342 can be configured as the sum or difference of the radii of the gear ring 100 and the gear ring transmission gear 410, so that the gear ring transmission gear 410 is always engaged with the external or internal teeth of the gear ring 100.

[0060] Referring to Figure 1 , Figure 2In the illustrated embodiment 1, the distance between the first link shaft 341 and the second link shaft 342 is configured to be equal to the sum of the radius of the ring gear 100 and the ring gear drive gear 410, so that the ring gear drive gear 410 can engage the external teeth of the ring gear 100.

[0061] Referring to Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment 2, the distance between the first link shaft 341 and the second link shaft 342 is configured to be equal to the difference between the radius of the ring gear 100 and the ring gear drive gear 410, so that the ring gear drive gear 410 can engage the internal teeth of the ring gear 100, and better utilize the space within the wheel rim. It can be understood that other structures in the wheel (such as the hub) can be arranged at the center of rotation of the ring gear 100 to provide a connection site for the link 300. The center of rotation of the ring gear 100 can also be connected to the suspension system 500.

[0062] Similarly, for the engagement of the input gear 200 and the drive gear 400, the distance between the link shaft 330 where the input gear 200 is arranged and the link shaft 330 where the drive gear 400 is arranged can be controlled to be equal to the sum of the radius between the input gear 200 and the drive gear 400.

[0063] Further, referring to Figure 1 , the drive gear 400 can include a transition drive gear 420 having two engagement regions in the axial direction (the axial direction of the drive gear 400), so that two gears (such as the drive gear 400, the ring gear 100, and the input gear 200) engaged with the transition drive gear 420 can be staggered in the axial direction, so that the input gear 200 and the ring gear 100 are configured to be staggered in the axial direction to avoid interference during relative movement. Compared with the prior art in which the radial relative movement range of the motor and the wheel is limited by the size of the ring gear 100, the power source (or its input gear 200) of the present application can be arranged higher than the ring gear 100 (as shown in Figure 1 , Figure 2 ) or in the ring gear 100 (as shown in Figure 3 , Figure 4 ), so that the arrangement position of the power source is more flexible, and the relative movement range is larger. Of course, the position of the transition drive gear 420 can be adjusted as long as there is no interference between the components, in addition to the position shown in Figure 1 . In an embodiment, each drive gear 400 can be a transition drive gear 420.

[0064] Further, referring to Figure 1 and Figure 3The connecting rod 300 can be configured such that the projection of the line connecting the first connecting point 310 and the second connecting point 320 on a plane perpendicular to the axis of the gear ring 100 is perpendicular to the ground, in particular, in the case where the axis of the gear ring 100 extends along a horizontal plane, the line connecting the first connecting point 310 and the second connecting point 320 can extend in a vertical direction. Alternatively, referring to Figure 6 The connecting rod 300 can also be configured such that the projection of the line connecting the first connecting point 310 and the second connecting point 320 on a plane perpendicular to the axis of the gear ring 100 is inclined relative to the vertical direction. That is, the input gear 200 can be located outside the circumference of the gear ring 100, and the arrangement position of the input gear 200 and the power source is more flexible.

[0065] Further, referring to Figure 1 , Figure 3 , Figure 6 The connecting rod 300 is configured such that the center of rotation of the input gear 200 is located above the center of rotation of the gear ring 100. Overall, the arrangement position of the input gear 200 and the power source can be biased upward, avoiding the power source being too close to the ground when the wheel jumps up.

[0066] The vehicle provided by the embodiments of the present application can include the vehicle driving unit as described above, the wheel, etc., and the vehicle driving unit is used to drive the wheel. The vehicle naturally has various advantages brought by the vehicle driving unit due to having the vehicle driving unit.

[0067] The above is the preferred embodiments of the present application, it should be pointed out that, for those skilled in the art, without departing from the principles of the present application, can make several improvements and refinements, these improvements and refinements should also be considered as the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A vehicle drive unit, characterized by, The vehicle drive unit comprises a power source and a suspension system, the power source is connected to a vehicle body, and the gear ring is connected to the suspension system. The transmission gears comprise two groups of transmission gears symmetrically arranged on both sides of a line connecting the first connection point and the second connection point, and the links on both sides of the line are symmetric about the line. The number of transmission gears in each group is even. The ends of all the links and the two ends of at least part of the links are provided with link shafts, and the rotation centers of the transmission gears, the input gear and the gear ring are respectively connected to the link shafts.

2. The vehicle drive unit of claim 1, wherein, The link comprises a first link, and the first link is fixedly provided with a first link shaft and a second link shaft, the rotation center of the gear ring is connected to the first link shaft, the transmission gears comprise a gear ring transmission gear, the rotation center of the gear ring transmission gear is connected to the second link shaft, and the distance between the first link shaft and the second link shaft is configured as the sum or difference of the radii of the gear ring and the gear ring transmission gear, so that the gear ring transmission gear is always engaged with the external or internal teeth of the gear ring.

3. The vehicle drive unit of claim 1, wherein, The transmission gears comprise a transition transmission gear having two meshing regions in the axial direction, so that the two gears engaged with the transition transmission gear can be staggered in the axial direction, and the input gear and the gear ring are configured to be axially staggered.

4. The vehicle drive unit of claim 3, wherein, The link is configured such that, when the axis of the gear ring extends along a horizontal plane, the projection of the line connecting the first connection point and the second connection point on a plane perpendicular to the axis of the gear ring extends in a vertical direction.

5. The vehicle drive unit of claim 1, wherein, The link is configured such that the rotation center of the input gear is located above the rotation center of the gear ring.

6. The vehicle drive unit of claim 5, wherein, The vehicle drive unit comprises a power source and a suspension system, the power source is connected to a vehicle body, and the gear ring is connected to the suspension system.

7. The vehicle drive unit of claim 1, wherein, The transmission gears comprise two groups of transmission gears symmetrically arranged on both sides of a line connecting the first connection point and the second connection point, and the links on both sides of the line are symmetric about the line.

8. The vehicle drive unit of claim 1, wherein, The number of transmission gears in each group is even.

9. The vehicle drive unit of claim 1, wherein, The ends of all the links and the two ends of at least part of the links are provided with link shafts, and the rotation centers of the transmission gears, the input gear and the gear ring are respectively connected to the link shafts.

10. A vehicle characterized by comprising: The link comprises a first link, and the first link is fixedly provided with a first link shaft and a second link shaft, the rotation center of the gear ring is connected to the first link shaft, the transmission gears comprise a gear ring transmission gear, the rotation center of the gear ring transmission gear is connected to the second link shaft, and the distance between the first link shaft and the second link shaft is configured as the sum or difference of the radii of the gear ring and the gear ring transmission gear, so that the gear ring transmission gear is always engaged with the external or internal teeth of the gear ring. The transmission gears comprise a transition transmission gear having two meshing regions in the axial direction, so that the two gears engaged with the transition transmission gear can be staggered in the axial direction, and the input gear and the gear ring are configured to be axially staggered. The link is configured such that, when the axis of the gear ring extends along a horizontal plane, the projection of the line connecting the first connection point and the second connection point on a plane perpendicular to the axis of the gear ring extends in a vertical direction. The link is configured such that the rotation center of the input gear is located above the rotation center of the gear ring. The vehicle drive unit comprises a power source and a suspension system, the power source is connected to a vehicle body, and the gear ring is connected to the suspension system. The transmission gears comprise two groups of transmission gears symmetrically arranged on both sides of a line connecting the first connection point and the second connection point, and the links on both sides of the line are symmetric about the line. The number of transmission gears in each group is even. The ends of all the links and the two ends of at least part of the links are provided with link shafts, and the rotation centers of the transmission gears, the input gear and the gear ring are respectively connected to the link shafts. The link comprises a first link, and the first link is fixedly provided with a first link shaft and a second link shaft, the rotation center of the gear ring is connected to the first link shaft, the transmission gears comprise a gear ring transmission gear, the rotation center of the gear ring transmission gear is connected to the second link shaft, and the distance between the first link shaft and the second link shaft is configured as the sum or difference of the radii of the gear ring and the gear ring transmission gear, so that the gear ring transmission gear is always engaged with the external or internal teeth of the gear ring. The transmission gears comprise a transition transmission gear having two meshing regions in the axial direction, so that the two gears engaged with the transition transmission gear can be staggered in the axial direction, and the input gear and the gear ring are configured to be axially staggered. The link is configured such that, when the axis of the gear ring extends along a horizontal plane, the projection of the line connecting the first connection point and the second connection point on a plane perpendicular to the axis of the gear ring extends in a vertical direction. The link is configured such that the rotation center of the input gear is located above the rotation center of the gear ring. The vehicle drive unit comprises a power source and a suspension system, the power source is connected to a vehicle body, and the gear ring is connected to the suspension system. The transmission gears comprise two groups of transmission gears symmetrically arranged on both sides of a line connecting the first connection point and the second connection point, and the links on both sides of the line are symmetric about the line. The number of transmission gears in each group is even. The ends of all the links and the two ends of at least part of the links are provided with link shafts, and the rotation centers of the transmission gears, the input gear and the gear ring are respectively connected to the link shafts. The link comprises a first link, and the first link is fixedly provided with a first link shaft and a second link shaft, the rotation center of the gear ring is connected to the first link shaft, the transmission gears comprise a gear ring transmission gear, the rotation center of the gear ring transmission gear is connected to the second link shaft, and the distance between the first link shaft and the second link shaft is configured as the sum or difference of the radii of the gear ring and the gear ring transmission gear, so that the gear ring transmission gear is always engaged with the external or internal teeth of the gear ring. The transmission gears comprise a transition transmission gear having two meshing regions in the axial direction, so that the two gears engaged with the transition transmission gear can be staggered in the axial direction, and the input gear and the gear ring are configured to be axially staggered. The link is configured such that, when the axis of the gear ring extends along a horizontal plane, the projection of the line connecting the first connection point and the second connection point on a plane perpendicular to the axis of the gear ring extends in a vertical direction. The link is configured such that the rotation center of the input gear is located above the rotation center of the gear ring. The vehicle drive unit comprises a power source and a suspension system, the power source is connected to a vehicle body, and the gear ring is connected to the suspension system. The transmission gears comprise two groups of transmission gears symmetrically arranged on both sides of a line connecting the first connection point and the second connection point, and the links on both sides of the line are symmetric about the line. The number of transmission gears in each group is even. The ends of all the links and the two ends of at least part of the links are provided with link shafts, and the rotation centers of the transmission gears, the input gear and the gear ring are respectively connected to the link shafts. The link comprises a first link, and the first link is fixedly provided with a first link shaft and a second link shaft, the rotation center of the gear ring is connected to the first link shaft, the transmission gears comprise a gear ring transmission gear, the rotation center of the gear ring transmission gear is connected to the second link shaft, and the distance between the first link shaft and the second link shaft is configured as the sum or difference of the radii of the gear ring and the gear ring transmission gear, so that the gear ring transmission gear is always engaged with the external or internal teeth of the gear ring. The transmission gears comprise a transition transmission gear having two meshing regions in the axial direction, so that the two gears engaged with the transition transmission gear can be staggered in the axial direction, and the input gear and the gear ring are configured to be axially staggered. The link is configured such that, when the axis of the gear ring extends along a horizontal plane, the projection of the line connecting the first connection point and the second connection point on a plane perpendicular to the axis of the gear ring extends in a vertical direction. The link is configured such that the rotation center of the input gear is located above the rotation center of the gear ring. The vehicle drive unit comprises a power source and a suspension system, the power source is connected to a vehicle body, and the gear ring is connected to the suspension system. The transmission gears comprise two groups of transmission gears symmetrically arranged on both sides of a line connecting the first connection point and the second connection point, and the links on both sides of the line are symmetric about the line. The number of transmission gears

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