Coaxial Variable Electric Motor System with Flexible Couplings
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing variable electric motor systems are bulky and costly due to the radial displacement of motors, which necessitates complex transmission mechanisms like belts and pulleys.
Innovation Solution
The motors are aligned on the same axis, eliminating the need for radial transmission mechanisms and allowing for a more compact design with flexible couplings to connect the motors and transmission components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the two motors are disposed distanced from the axis of the transmission device in the radial direction, then the transmission mechanism can transmit rotational driving force to the sun gear and internal gear, but the overall size of the system is increased and the device becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the two motors (main motor and sub-motor) onto a single axis, combining their rotational outputs through a differential mechanism. This eliminates the need for separate radial mounting positions and associated transmission mechanisms, thereby reducing overall system size while maintaining the capability to drive both the sun gear and internal gear.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a differential mechanism as an intermediary device that receives rotational input from a single motor and distributes it to both the sun gear and internal gear. This mediator enables the system to achieve the functional equivalent of two radially disposed motors while using a more compact axial configuration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the two motors are disposed distanced from the axis of the transmission device in the radial direction, then the transmission mechanism can be provided for each motor, but the device becomes complicated and incurs higher manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of two separate motor transmission systems into a single integrated differential mechanism. This merging reduces device complexity by eliminating duplicate transmission components (belts, pulleys, shafts) while preserving the adaptability to independently control the main motor and sub-motor through the differential's inherent ability to distribute rotational input.
Solution Approach 2:
The differential mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a speed reducer, a torque distributor, and a motion synthesizer that can accommodate independent control of two motors. This multi-functionality replaces the need for separate specialized transmission mechanisms for each motor, thereby reducing overall complexity.
3Volume of moving object
If the motors are aligned on the same axis with flexible couplings, then the overall size is reduced and assembly is simplified, but vibrations may be generated during power transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent acknowledges that flexible couplings may generate vibrations but converts this potential harm into a benefit by using the coupling's inherent flexibility to absorb and dampen vibrations. The elastic elements in the flexible couplings act as vibration isolators, transforming what could be a harmful vibration source into a vibration mitigation mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the coupling system by selecting flexible couplings with specific elastic properties that optimize vibration damping. By adjusting parameters such as coupling stiffness, damping coefficients, and geometric dimensions, the system minimizes vibration transmission while maintaining the compact axial alignment configuration.
Data Source
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AI summary
This variable electric motor system comprises an electrically powered device (50) and a planet gear transmission device (10). One of a sun gear shaft (12), a planet gear carrier shaft (27), and an internal gear carrier shaft (37) of the planet gear transmission device (10) constitutes an output shaft (Ao), another shaft constitutes a constant-speed input shaft (Ac), and the other shaft constitutes a variable-speed input shaft (Av). The electrically powered device (50) includes: a constant-speed electric motor (51) including a constant-speed rotor (52) that rotates about the axis (Ar), and that is connected to the constant-speed input shaft (Ac); and a variable-speed electric motor (71) including a variable-speed rotor (72) that rotates about the axis (Ar), and that is connected to the variable-speed input shaft (Av). The variable-speed rotor (72) has a shaft insertion hole (74) formed therethrough in the axial direction, the shaft insertion hole (74) having a cylindrical shape centered on the axis (Ar). The constant-speed rotor (52) is inserted through the shaft insertion hole (74).