Axle Drive Module Integrating Planetary Adapter Gear

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Solution Overview

Problem

The integration of an adapter transmission in electric motor vehicles is costly and space-intensive, particularly in commercial vehicles, due to the need for additional components and high unit costs associated with electric drive trains.

Innovation Solution

An axle drive module system that integrates a bevel gear stage, cross differential, intermediate shaft, and adapter gear, such as a planetary gear with a gear ratio greater than 1, directly within the axle drive module, allowing for a modular construction that can be adapted for both electric and combustion engine vehicles, reducing the need for separate adapter gears and minimizing installation space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a separate adapter gearbox is provided to reduce the speed of the electric drive, then the gear ratio requirement is met, but the installation space increases and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegear ratioVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter gear is integrated directly into the axle drive module, merging the functions of the adapter gearbox and the axle drive into a single compact unit. This eliminates the need for a separate adapter gearbox, thereby reducing installation space while maintaining the required gear ratio reduction capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The axle drive module is designed with universal applicability to both electric drives and combustion engines. By integrating the adapter gear universally into the module, it serves multiple functions: providing gear ratio reduction for electric drives and serving as a standard axle drive for combustion engines, thereby reducing overall system complexity and installation space.

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

2Power

If a separate adapter gearbox is provided to reduce the speed of the electric drive, then the gear ratio requirement is met, but the production costs increase due to additional components and high unit costs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegear ratioVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the adapter gear with the axle drive module, the number of separate components is reduced. This integration simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces the number of assembly steps, and lowers production costs while still achieving the necessary gear ratio reduction for electric drive applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The universal design of the axle drive module allows it to be used with both electric drives and combustion engines without requiring different components. This universality enables economies of scale in production, reducing unit costs and making the system more cost-effective for manufacturers transitioning to electric vehicles.

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

3Area of stationary object

If the adapter gear is integrated directly into the axle drive module, then installation space is reduced and production costs decrease, but the gear ratio capability must be achieved within the integrated structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidintegration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter gear is merged with the axle drive module in a way that maintains functional independence while achieving compact integration. This design allows the gear ratio reduction function to be achieved within the integrated structure without excessive complexity, as the adapter gear meshing with the bevel gear stage follows standard mechanical principles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution reduces production costs and saves space by using identical parts for both electric and combustion engine axle drive modules, enabling cost-effective production even in small quantities and achieving higher gear ratios than traditional bevel gear stages alone, thus supporting the transition to electric vehicles.

Implementation Method 1

an adapter gear, in particular a planetary gear set, with a gear ratio other than 1, preferably greater than 1

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGear: Gear

Implementation Method 2

an axle drive with a bevel gear stage for a commercial vehicle is disclosed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBevel gear: Gear

Data Source

PatentEP3415356B1Axle transmission module
Publication Date: 2021.12.01 MAN TRUCK & BUS SE
  • EP3415356B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3415356B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3415356B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to an axle drive module (10; 110; 210; 310), in particular a rear axle drive module, for a motor vehicle, preferably an electrically driven one, preferably a commercial vehicle. The axle drive module (10; 110; 210; 310) has a first wheel shaft (24A) and a second wheel shaft (24B) which can be connected to the wheels (40) of the motor vehicle in a driving manner, and a transverse differential (22) which is connected to the first wheel shaft (24A) and the second wheel shaft (24B) in a driving manner. The axle drive module (10; 110; 210; 310) has a bevel gear stage (20) which is connected to the transverse differential (22) in a driving manner, and an intermediate shaft (18) which is connected to the bevel gear stage (20) in a driving manner.The axle drive module (10; 110; 210; 310) has an adapter gear (16), in particular a planetary gear (116; 216; 316), with a gear ratio other than 1, preferably greater than 1, which is driven by the intermediate shaft (18) and is arranged coaxially to the intermediate shaft (18). The intermediate shaft (18) can only be driven via the adapter gear (16) to drive the wheels (40).