Motor Vehicle Differential Gearing With Adjustable Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing differential gearings for motor vehicles are inefficient and costly due to high energy consumption and complex designs, which do not allow for flexible operating modes or energy-saving operations.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an internal gear with an internal toothing system and a coupling device that can be adjusted between coupled and decoupled positions, allowing for efficient torque transmission and rotational speed compensation, while reducing weight and packaging requirements, enabling various operating modes such as hybrid drive and torque vectoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a friction coupling is used between the ring gear and differential unit, then the ring gear can be coupled and decoupled from the differential unit, but the structure becomes complex and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a multi-position coupling device that can dynamically adjust between coupled and decoupled positions relative to the internal gear, enabling flexible operating modes (four-wheel drive, two-wheel drive, neutral) while maintaining a relatively simple structural configuration through a single integrated coupling mechanism
2Reliability
If the differential unit is always coupled to the drive motor, then continuous torque transmission is achieved, but energy consumption increases and emissions rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables periodic engagement and disengagement of the differential unit through the multi-position coupling device, allowing the system to switch between coupled (torque transmission) and decoupled (energy saving) states based on driving conditions, thereby reducing unnecessary energy consumption and emissions while maintaining reliability when coupling is required
3Power
If an external gear system is used in the differential unit, then torque transmission is achieved, but the packing space requirement and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes an internal gear system where the internal gear is nested within the differential unit structure, allowing torque transmission while minimizing the overall footprint and weight of the differential unit compared to external gear configurations
4Ease of manufacture
If the differential unit has large packing space requirement, then all necessary components can be included, but the overall vehicle design becomes constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The internal gear configuration allows components to be nested within each other, reducing the overall volume of the differential unit while maintaining the ability to integrate all necessary components for torque transmission and differential operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from external gear arrangement to internal gear arrangement, effectively utilizing the radial dimension within the differential unit structure to achieve compact packaging while maintaining functional integrity
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 achieves efficient and energy-saving operation by allowing the differential unit to be easily coupled and decoupled from the drive motor, reducing fuel consumption and emissions, while maintaining a simple and cost-effective structure.
Implementation Method 1
In the coupled position of the coupling device, the internal gear is coupled to the ring gear by way of the coupling device
Implementation Method 2
in the decoupled position of the coupling device, the internal gear is not coupled to the ring gear via the coupling device, so that, for example, in the decoupled position the internal gear can rotate relative to the ring gear
Data Source
AI summary
A differential gearing for a motor vehicle, with a ring gear, which has an external toothing system and which can be driven by a pinion of the motor vehicle, and with a differential unit which can be driven by the ring gear for rotational speed compensation between wheels of the motor vehicle that can be driven by the pinion via the differential unit, wherein the differential unit has an internal gear which can be driven by the ring gear and has an internal toothing system, the wheels being drivable by way of said internal gear. In relation to a torque flow from the ring gear to the internal gear, a coupling device is arranged between the ring gear and the internal gear.