Axial Gap Motor Isolation Using One-Way Clutches After Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies in electrified vehicles with multiple axial gap motors fail to maintain high driving performance and comfort when one or more motors malfunction, leading to impaired comfort and potential mechanical damage.
Innovation Solution
A mobile body equipped with multiplexed axial gap motors, an abnormality detection mechanism, and a blocking mechanism that isolates the malfunctioning motor while maintaining power supply from functional motors to the wheels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple axial gap motors are multiplexed to improve driving performance, then the driving performance and comfort are enhanced, but the system complexity increases and the risk of mechanical damage from motor failures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the power transmission system into independent segments by introducing a blocking mechanism for each motor. This allows each motor to be isolated independently through one-way clutches, enabling the system to segment the power flow paths and manage failures at the individual motor level rather than system-wide.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces one-way clutches as intermediary elements between the motors and the power transmission system. These clutches act as mediators that automatically block or transmit power based on rotation direction, providing intelligent power management without complex control systems.
2Reliability
If a malfunctioning motor is disconnected from the power transmission system to prevent mechanical damage, then the reliability is improved, but the driving performance deteriorates due to loss of power from that motor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamically adjustable one-way clutches that can automatically change their power transmission state based on operational conditions. These clutches remain engaged during normal operation to maintain full driving performance but automatically disengage when abnormal rotation directions indicate motor failures, providing adaptive reliability management.
Solution Approach 2:
The one-way clutches are designed to automatically detect and respond to motor failures through their inherent mechanical characteristics. When a motor fails and rotates in the wrong direction, the one-way clutch self-activates to block power transmission without requiring external control signals, achieving self-service failure protection.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a blocking mechanism is introduced to isolate faulty motors, then the harmful factors from malfunctioning motors are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the failure isolation function from the main power transmission system by using independent one-way clutches for each motor. This allows the blocking mechanism to be implemented as a separate, simple mechanical element rather than integrating complexity into the core transmission system.
Solution Approach 2:
The one-way clutches are designed as simple, inexpensive mechanical components that can be easily replaced if needed. Their straightforward design with moving parts minimizes complexity while providing effective failure isolation, making them suitable as sacrificial protection elements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures high driving performance and comfort by isolating faulty motors, preventing mechanical damage, and maintaining power transmission to wheels.
Implementation Method 1
The disc-shaped rotor includes multiple magnets arranged and fixed in the peripheral direction of the rotor. The stator includes multiple coils arranged in the peripheral direction and is disposed to oppose the rotor with a predetermined gap.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile body includes axial gap motors, a multiplexing mechanism, an abnormality detection mechanism, and a blocking mechanism. The axial gap motors generate driving power to be supplied to at least one wheel. The multiplexing mechanism multiplexes the axial gap motors and couples the axial gap motors to the at least one wheel of the mobile body. The abnormality detection mechanism detects an abnormality in the axial gap motors. In a case where the abnormality is detected in a certain axial gap motor of the multiplexed axial gap motors, the blocking mechanism blocks supplying of driving power from the certain axial gap motor independently of the multiplexed axial gap motors other than the certain axial gap motor, and maintains supplying of driving power to the at least one wheel from the multiplexed axial gap motors other than the certain axial gap motor.