Vehicle Axle Drive Assembly With Inverted Gearbox Bolt Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing assembly process for electrified vehicle axles is complex and hindered by spatial restrictions, requiring an upending process to avoid inverted screw connections, which complicates the assembly and limits tool access due to interfering contours.
Innovation Solution
The drive device design positions the bolt head of the threaded bolt on the gearbox-housing side, allowing for vertical assembly without upending, with screw points aligned axially parallel to the stator-housing axis and blind internally threaded bores, enabling easier tool access and simplified assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the bolt head is positioned on the stator-housing side to avoid interfering contours, then tool access is improved, but the assembly process requires upending which complicates manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional screw connection configuration by positioning the threaded bolt in the gearbox housing and the internally threaded bore in the stator housing, rather than the usual arrangement. This inversion allows the bolt head to be positioned on the stator-housing side where tool access is easier, while eliminating the need for upending during assembly by allowing screwing in the vertical joining direction from above.
2Productivity
If the screw connection is performed in vertical joining direction from above, then automated assembly is simplified, but the bolt head location becomes restricted by spatial conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the spatial restriction by utilizing the internal volume of the gearbox housing. The threaded bolt is positioned within the gearbox-housing interior, and the non-threaded screw hole provides access from the exterior. This dimensional arrangement allows vertical screwing from above for automated assembly while providing adequate space for tool access to the bolt head through the screw hole opening.
3Device complexity
If the threaded bolt is positioned with bolt head on gearbox-housing side, then upending is eliminated, but tool access may be hindered by interfering contours
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a non-threaded screw hole as an intermediary access path. The threaded bolt is positioned on the gearbox-housing side to eliminate upending, and the screw hole serves as a mediator that provides tool access through the housing wall. This intermediary structure resolves the conflict between simplified assembly process and tool accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A drive device for a vehicle axle of a vehicle, having an electric machine (EM) which outputs to output shafts via a gearbox. The output shafts each lead to a vehicle wheel, wherein a cylindrical stator housing of the electric machine (EM) is elongated in the axial direction by a gearbox housing. In an example, at least one screw point between a stator housing and a gearbox housing has a threaded bolt, which is guided through a non-threaded screw hole of the gearbox housing and is in threaded engagement with an internally threaded bore formed on the stator housing.