Auxiliary Drive Shaft Coupling in Planetary Gear Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drive devices for motor vehicles lack high energy efficiency and flexibility, particularly in interacting with multiple drive units and auxiliary drives, limiting their operational effectiveness across various vehicle states.

Innovation Solution

A drive device configuration that integrates an auxiliary drive with a planetary gear system, allowing the auxiliary drive shaft to be coupled to the epicyclic gear and operated by either the first or second drive unit, or using kinetic energy, with the ability to regulate speed and torque, enabling flexible operation and energy-efficient use across different vehicle states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the auxiliary drive is integrated into the drive device with coupling to the epicyclic gear, then energy efficiency and flexibility are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The auxiliary drive is merged with the existing drive device by coupling the auxiliary drive shaft to the epicyclic gear system. This integration allows the auxiliary drive to share common components (epicyclic gear, clutch, output shaft) with the main drive units, achieving energy-efficient operation without proportionally increasing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary drive shaft is designed with multi-functionality, capable of being driven by either the first drive unit or the second drive unit through the epicyclic gear, or operating independently using kinetic energy from the output shaft. This universal coupling approach enables flexible energy utilization across different operating conditions while maintaining a relatively compact structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the auxiliary drive shaft is coupled to the epicyclic gear with multiple drive unit options, then operational flexibility is improved, but the control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling between the auxiliary drive shaft and the epicyclic gear is designed to be dynamic rather than fixed. The auxiliary drive shaft can be selectively engaged or disengaged from different drive sources (first drive unit, second drive unit, or kinetic energy from output shaft) depending on operational requirements. This dynamic reconfigurability provides high operational flexibility while using standard clutch mechanisms to manage control complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3305572B1Drive device for a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2022.01.26 AUDI AG
  • EP3305572B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a drive unit (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a first drive unit (7), a second drive unit (8), and a planetary gear transmission (11) coupled to the second drive unit (8), wherein the second drive unit (8) can be coupled to an output shaft (6) of the drive unit (1) via the planetary gear transmission (11) and/or to the first drive unit (7) by means of a clutch (9). It is provided that an auxiliary drive shaft (17) of at least one auxiliary drive (18) of the drive unit (1), which includes an auxiliary component, is coupled to the planetary gear transmission (11). The invention further relates to a method for operating a drive unit (1) for a motor vehicle.