Vehicle Drive Unit Mounting With Sleeves for Load and Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive assemblies face challenges in achieving a robust and cost-efficient mounting of drive units within a housing, particularly due to mechanical load and tightness issues caused by gaps between the drive unit and frame interfaces, which can lead to adverse effects on assembly and durability.
Innovation Solution
A drive assembly design featuring a through-bolt connection with sleeves that provide a robust and adaptable mounting system, utilizing a U-shaped frame interface and damping elements to ensure precise load distribution and sealing, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly, and accommodating different frame interfaces and tolerances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a retaining plate is used to bridge the gap between the drive unit and the wall, then the gap can be bridged, but the mechanical load and tightness of the drive assembly are adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
A sleeve is introduced as an intermediary component between the drive unit and the frame interface. The sleeve receives the drive unit with a clearance fit, allowing gap accommodation without direct rigid contact. This mediator transfers loads indirectly through controlled deformation, preventing adverse effects on the drive unit's mechanical integrity and tightness.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve's wall thickness is designed to be deformable under axial compression. When the drive assembly is compressed, the sleeve deforms elastically to absorb the gap, while its material properties and geometry are selected to ensure it returns to its original shape after load removal, maintaining consistent mechanical performance.
2Ease of manufacture
If a through-bolt connection is used to hold the drive unit to the frame interface, then assembly and disassembly become simpler, but the complexity of the connection system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into distinct functional components: the through-bolt for axial loading and positioning, and the sleeves for lateral positioning and gap absorption. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall assembly process simple and intuitive.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeves serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide lateral positioning of the drive unit, absorb axial gaps through deformation, and distribute compression loads evenly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, maintaining connection system simplicity.
3Strength
If the drive unit is rigidly mounted to the frame interface, then mechanical strength is improved, but adaptability to different frame interfaces and tolerances is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve's wall thickness is specifically designed to be deformable under axial compression. When the drive assembly is compressed, the sleeve deforms elastically to absorb the gap, while its material properties and geometry are selected to ensure it returns to its original shape after load removal, maintaining consistent mechanical performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system exhibits different mechanical properties in different directions: the sleeve provides rigid lateral support for precise positioning, while allowing controlled axial deformation for gap absorption and tolerance accommodation. This directional differentiation of mechanical properties enables both strength and adaptability.
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
The solution enables a robust, cost-effective, and vibration-damped connection that reduces mechanical loading, prevents fluid ingress, and enhances durability by optimizing the load state and sealing of the drive unit, while allowing for flexible adaptation to various frame interfaces.
Implementation Method 1
At least one of the sleeves (41, 42) comprises a damping element (45), in particular an elastomeric damping element
Implementation Method 2
The damping element (45) is in particular made of an elastomer
Data Source
AI summary
A drive assembly of a vehicle which can be operated by means of muscle power and/or motor power. The drive assembly includes: a drive unit, a frame interface, wherein the drive unit is disposed at least partially between a first wall and a second wall of the frame interface, wherein the drive unit comprises a through-bore, two sleeves which are inserted into the through-bore of the drive unit on both sides, and a through-bolt which is inserted through the through-bore and the two sleeves and holds the drive unit on each of the two walls. The through-bolt braces the two walls against one another.