Vehicle Drive Unit Gear Layout for Compact Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing units, such as those described in Patent Document 1, have equal dimensions in the radial direction and lack flexibility in layout, leading to potential size constraints.
Innovation Solution
The unit is configured with a rotary electric machine and gears arranged on different axes, allowing for increased dimensions in one direction while reducing dimensions in a perpendicular direction, incorporating a speed reducer to enhance torque and layout flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the electric motor and power transmission device are arranged with equal radial dimensions, then the unit achieves a compact overall size, but the layout flexibility is reduced and dimensions cannot be optimized in specific directions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by arranging the electric motor and first gear on a first axis while placing the second gear and shaft on a second axis, creating an asymmetric layout that allows different dimensions in different directions. This enables the unit to have reduced dimensions in the radial direction while accommodating the gear meshing requirements through asymmetric positioning of components on different axes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a conventional single-axis radial arrangement to a multi-axis three-dimensional layout. By placing components on both a first axis and a second axis, the invention utilizes another dimension to arrange gears and shafts, allowing power transmission while reducing radial dimensions and improving layout flexibility.
2Length of moving object
If gears are arranged side by side in one direction, then the dimension in that direction increases, but the dimension in the perpendicular direction can be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by arranging the first gear and second gear on different axes rather than side by side in the same direction. The first gear is on the first axis connected to the electric motor, while the second gear is on the second axis connected to the shaft. This dimensional reorganization allows the unit to have reduced dimensions in the radial direction while accommodating gear meshing through spatial arrangement in multiple dimensions.
Data Source
AI summary
A unit includes: a rotary electric machine; a first gear connected downstream of the rotary electric machine; a second gear configured to mesh with the first gear; and a shaft connected downstream of the second gear. The shaft includes a first output end and a second output end. The rotary electric machine and the first gear are arranged on a first axis. The second gear, the shaft, the first output end, and the second output end are arranged on a second axis. The second gear is disposed to be sandwiched between the first output end and the second output end.