Vehicle Corner Module with Strain Wave Gear Steering Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicles face challenges in integrating driving, braking, steering, and suspension systems efficiently, particularly in in-wheel motor vehicles, which require a compact and efficient design to minimize energy loss and enhance performance.
Innovation Solution
A corner module apparatus that integrates a driver for providing driving force, a suspension for shock absorption, and a steering unit rotatably installed under a frame module, with a power generation module, rotating module, and power transmission module to transmit rotational force, utilizing a strain wave gear reducer for efficient power transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If driving, braking, steering, and suspension systems are integrated into a corner module apparatus, then system efficiency and performance are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines driving, braking, steering, and suspension systems into a single corner module apparatus. The driver provides driving force to the wheel, the suspension absorbs shock from the road surface, and the steering unit adjusts the steering angle of the wheel. This merging of multiple functions into one integrated module improves system efficiency and performance while managing the complexity through unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
The corner module apparatus is designed as a multi-functional unit that performs driving, braking, steering, and suspension functions simultaneously. The driver can provide driving force, the suspension can absorb shock, and the steering unit can adjust steering angle, making the apparatus universal in handling multiple vehicle operations through a single integrated structure.
2Loss of energy
If in-wheel motor is used to directly transfer power to the wheel, then energy loss in power transmission is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power transmission components (reducer or differential gear) from the traditional powertrain and places the motor directly at the wheel. This in-wheel motor configuration eliminates the need for intermediate power transmission mechanisms, directly transferring power from the motor to the wheel and thereby reducing energy loss in the power transmission process.
3Ease of operation
If steering body is rotatably installed under the frame module, then steering maneuverability is improved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steering body is designed to be rotatably installed under the frame module, allowing it to rotate and adjust the steering angle of the wheel dynamically. This rotational capability provides flexible steering control and improved maneuverability, enabling the wheel to be steered to different angles as needed for various driving conditions.
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
The solution enables independent operation of driving, braking, and steering functions for each wheel, improving vehicle performance by reducing energy loss and enhancing maneuverability and stability.
Implementation Method 1
a power generation module configured to receive power and generate a rotational force
Implementation Method 2
The reducer may include a strain wave gear
Data Source
AI summary
A corner module apparatus for a vehicle may include a driver configured to provide a driving force to a wheel of a vehicle, a suspension connected to the driver, and being configured to absorb shock transferred from a road surface, and a steering unit connected to the suspension, the steering unit rotatably installed under a frame module coupled to a vehicle body, and being configured to adjust a steering angle of the wheel.