Differential Inversion Assembly for Extended Wheel Travel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle suspension systems have limited vertical wheel travel due to the angular articulation constraints of conventional wheel axles, which restricts off-road performance and shock absorption capabilities without compromising vehicle safety and performance.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle differential inversion assembly that includes a differential module with cross-coupled wheel axles using inversion joints, allowing for longer wheel axles and increased vertical travel by providing angular articulation, thereby exceeding the limits of conventional systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If conventional wheel axles with limited angular articulation are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the vertical wheel travel is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional differential arrangement by positioning the differential module between the wheels rather than having the wheels positioned around it. This inversion allows the wheel axles to be extended beyond the differential module with inversion joints positioned outward, enabling greater vertical wheel travel while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the wheel axles in the vertical dimension beyond the differential module, using inversion joints to provide angular articulation in the vertical direction. This dimensional extension allows the wheels to achieve greater vertical travel distance while the inversion joints handle the angular movement requirements
2Length of moving object
If longer wheel axles are used to increase vertical travel, then off-road performance improves, but the angular articulation constraints of conventional axles become more limiting
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the differential module position and placing inversion joints at the outer ends of extended axles, the system achieves both longer axle length and greater angular articulation range. The inversion joints are positioned to maximize their articulation capability while the axles extend further than conventional designs
Solution Approach 2:
The inversion joints provide dynamic angular articulation capability that adapts to the vertical movement of the wheels. As the wheels travel vertically, the inversion joints dynamically adjust their articulation angles to accommodate the changing geometry, enabling the extended axles to maintain both length and articulation flexibility
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle differential inversion assembly for splitting the torque of the vehicle power source two ways to opposite sides of the vehicle, to a set of wheels; a left wheel and a right wheel. The wheels are supported by respective independent left and right suspensions allowing vertical travel of each wheel. The assembly features a differential module for splitting the torque two ways. The differential module is disposed between the left wheel and the right wheel and has a left side output and a right side output. The outputs spin at opposed directions. A left output axle couples with the left side output and extends to the left of the differential module. A right output axle couples with the right side output and extends to the right of the differential module. A left wheel axle is cross-coupled with the right output axle by a right inversion joint disposed at a distance to the right of the differential module. The left wheel axle extends toward and turns the left wheel. A right wheel axle is cross-coupled with the left output axle by a left inversion joint disposed at a distance to the left of the differential module. The right wheel axle extends toward and turns the right wheel. The right inversion joint and the left inversion joint provide for angular articulation of the left wheel axle and the right wheel axle, respectively, thereby allowing the vertical travel of each wheel.