Axle Drive Brake Disk Axial Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to design an axle drive for vehicles with a compact brake system that can effectively secure the vehicle against rolling away, particularly in commercial vehicles, where limited installation space and the need for high braking torque on steep terrain pose difficulties, especially when using electric motors.
Innovation Solution
The axle drive features a drive shaft extending along the vehicle's longitudinal direction with a brake disk arranged on one side, allowing for a compact configuration by separating the electric motor and brake components between two sides of the final drive, enabling a parking brake and emergency braking function while minimizing space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a brake with a relatively large brake disk is provided to develop sufficient braking effect for loaded commercial vehicles, then the braking effect is improved, but the installation space is excessively increased
Solution Approach 1:
The brake disk is arranged axially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, extending in the axial dimension rather than radially outward. This allows the brake disk to achieve sufficient braking effect through axial length while maintaining a compact radial footprint that fits within the limited installation space of the final drive assembly.
2Device complexity
If the electric motor is connected directly to the final drive to reduce complexity, then the device complexity is reduced, but the installation space for the brake is further limited
Solution Approach 1:
The final drive assembly is segmented into distinct functional zones: the electric motor occupies one region, the brake assembly with its axially extending brake disk occupies another region, and the drive shaft transmission occupies a third region. This segmentation allows each component to be optimally positioned and sized without excessive interference from others, maintaining both direct motor-to-final-drive connection and adequate space for the brake.
3Force
If the brake disk is arranged radially outward to increase braking torque, then the braking effect is improved, but the overall diameter of the axle drive is increased
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing braking torque by expanding the brake disk radially outward (increasing diameter), the brake disk is oriented to extend axially parallel to the vehicle's longitudinal direction. This dimensional reorientation allows the brake disk to achieve sufficient moment arm length for generating required braking torque while keeping the overall diameter of the axle drive compact and suitable for vehicle installation.
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
This design allows for a reliable parking brake and emergency braking system without significantly increasing installation space, ensuring the vehicle can be securely held stationary even under heavy loads and on steep terrain, while maintaining operational flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a brake, in particular a parking brake, with a brake disk which can be rotated axially parallel to the longitudinal direction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
An axle drive for a vehicle with at least one driven axle comprises a drive shaft extending along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle from a first side of the axle drive to a second side. This drive shaft is configured to receive drive power from an electric motor located on the first side and to output it on the second side to a driven shaft. The driven shaft extends on the second side of the axle drive, offset from the drive shaft, and is configured to transmit drive power to the vehicle axle via a bevel gear pointing towards the first side. The axle drive further comprises a brake, in particular a parking brake, with a brake disc located on the second side of the axle drive, pointing away from the first side, on either the drive shaft or the driven shaft.