Vehicle Drive Device With Selective Shaft Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive devices lack flexibility in installation and operation, particularly in transitioning between different drive units and gear ratios, limiting their adaptability and efficiency in motor vehicle propulsion.
Innovation Solution
A drive device comprising a first and second drive unit, a transmission unit with primary and secondary shafts, and gear pairs, including a driving gear and output gear, with coupling devices allowing direct connection and disconnection between the shafts and drive units, enabling flexible operation and gear ratio adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional transmission unit with fixed shaft connections is used, then the structural complexity is reduced, but the adaptability and versatility of the drive device deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the connection between the transmission unit and drive units changeable through coupling devices. The secondary shaft can be dynamically connected or disconnected from the second drive unit, and the primary shaft can be selectively connected to either the first or second drive unit. This dynamic reconfigurability enables multiple operating modes (series hybrid, parallel hybrid, electric-only) without requiring a completely different transmission structure for each mode, thus improving adaptability while controlling complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple shafts are used for torque transmission from multiple drive units, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the universality principle by designing the secondary shaft to serve multiple functions: it can be connected to the second drive unit for direct torque transmission, or disconnected and have the first drive unit's torque transmitted through the primary shaft and gear pair instead. The primary shaft similarly serves dual purposes by being connectable to either drive unit. This multi-functional design allows the same shaft structure to support multiple operating modes, improving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Ease of operation
If direct coupling between drive units and shafts is enabled, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the segmentation principle by dividing the connection system into modular coupling devices that can independently control the engagement between specific drive units and shafts. The first coupling device controls the connection between the primary shaft and drive units, while the second coupling device controls the connection between the secondary shaft and the second drive unit. This segmented approach allows independent control of each connection, simplifying the operation of switching between drive units while managing the overall complexity through modular design.
Data Source
AI summary
A drive device includes a first drive unit and a second drive unit. A transmission unit includes a primary shaft for connection to the first drive unit, a secondary shaft, and at least one gear pair via which the primary and secondary shafts are operatively connectable to one another. Mounted in coaxial relationship to the secondary shaft is a driving gear which is operatively connected to the second drive unit, and mounted in coaxial relationship to the primary shaft is an output gear which meshes with the driving gear. A secondary-shaft coupling device can couple the driving gear directly with the secondary shaft, and a primary-shaft coupling device can couple the output gear directly with the primary shaft.