Vehicle Drive Unit Layout for Center-of-Gravity Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive devices experience instability due to a significant shift in center of gravity towards the charging unit side, which is exacerbated by the disposition of the charging unit on one side of the reference plane, leading to potential imbalance and reduced stability during vehicle operation.
Innovation Solution
The drive device is configured with drive units and functional parts symmetrically disposed on either side of a reference plane, utilizing the weight distribution of components like actuators, lock parts, and supply units to balance the center of gravity, thereby minimizing the shift towards the charging unit side.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the charging unit is disposed on one side of the reference plane to enable electrical connection to the neutral point of one electric motor, then the charging function is achieved, but the center of gravity shifts significantly to the charging unit side, degrading drive stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a counterbalancing mechanism by strategically positioning functional parts (such as cooling devices, control units, or energy storage components) on the opposite side of the reference plane from the charging unit. This creates a counterweight effect that offsets the center of gravity shift caused by the charging unit's asymmetric placement, thereby maintaining drive stability while preserving charging functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent deliberately accepts and utilizes the asymmetric configuration caused by the charging unit's placement on one side, but compensates for it through asymmetric distribution of other components. Rather than forcing symmetric placement of all components, the design embraces the necessary asymmetry for charging while balancing the overall system through strategic component positioning on opposite sides of the reference plane.
2Stability of the object's composition
If drive units are disposed symmetrically on both sides of the reference plane, then drive stability is improved, but the charging unit must be placed asymmetrically on one side, causing center of gravity shift
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies counterbalancing by positioning functional parts with significant weight on the opposite side of the reference plane from the charging unit. This creates a weight distribution that offsets the center of gravity shift, allowing the charging unit to remain on one side while maintaining overall balance and drive stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different quality requirements to different regions of the system. The drive units maintain symmetric placement for stability, while the charging unit and functional parts are strategically positioned in specific local regions (opposite sides of the reference plane) to achieve weight balance. This localized optimization allows both symmetric drive configuration and balanced center of gravity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the charging unit is placed on one side to simplify electrical connection, then ease of manufacture is improved, but weight imbalance occurs, reducing operational stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains the manufacturing advantage of placing the charging unit on one side for simplified electrical connection to the neutral point, while simultaneously introducing counterbalancing functional parts on the opposite side. This counterweight approach preserves the ease of manufacture benefit while compensating for the weight imbalance to maintain operational stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent accepts the asymmetric placement of the charging unit as necessary for manufacturing simplicity, but balances the overall system through asymmetric distribution of other components. The charging unit remains on one side for ease of connection, while functional parts are positioned on the opposite side to achieve weight balance, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing ease and operational stability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A drive device (20) includes: a first drive unit (50R) that includes a first electric motor (52R); a second drive unit (50L); a casing (21); a first power conversion unit; a charging unit (40) that applies a current to the first power conversion unit via a neutral point (NP1) of the first electric motor (52R); and a functional part. The first and second drive units (50R, 50L) are disposed on respective sides of a reference plane (BP) of the casing (21) in the vehicle right-left direction. The center of gravity of the charging unit (40) is located on the first direction side from the reference plane (BP) in the vehicle right-left direction. The center of gravity of the entire functional part is located on the second direction side from the reference plane (BP) in the vehicle right-left direction.