Driveline Thermal Deflection Modeling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current computer-aided engineering (CAE) tools for driveline design fail to accurately account for thermal influences, leading to sub-optimal performance and increased risk of failure due to misalignment and thermal effects, which are critical in applications like aerospace and automotive industries.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method for modeling drivelines that includes creating a thermal model from a parametric description, calculating temperature distribution, determining component deflections, and recalculating performance metrics iteratively to ensure compliance with loop-end conditions, thereby optimizing driveline design and reducing the risk of thermal-related failures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If thermal influences are not accounted for in CAE tools, then design process is simpler and faster, but thermal-related failures increase and performance becomes sub-optimal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal-related failure riskVSAvoidmodeling complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines thermal modeling with mechanical structural modeling into a single integrated CAE tool. The thermal model and structural model are merged to simultaneously analyze thermal distribution and its effects on component deflection and misalignment, eliminating the need for separate analysis tools and processes while reducing thermal-related failures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The CAE tool is designed to perform multiple functions: thermal analysis, structural analysis, and performance metric evaluation all within a single platform. This multi-functional approach allows the tool to account for thermal influences comprehensively while maintaining ease of use through unified modeling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If thermal modeling is integrated into CAE tools, then prediction accuracy of thermal behavior improves, but computational time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal behavior prediction accuracyVSAvoidcomputational time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary thermal modeling during the design phase using parametric descriptions, allowing thermal behavior to be predicted before manufacturing. This preliminary action enables designers to identify and correct thermal-related issues early, reducing the need for costly physical prototypes and iterative testing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses parametric modeling where thermal behavior is analyzed through parameter variations rather than full-scale detailed simulations. This approach maintains prediction accuracy while reducing computational complexity and time by focusing on critical parameters that most influence thermal performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If iterative recalculation of performance metrics is performed, then design optimization improves, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign optimization accuracyVSAvoidproduct development speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements iterative recalculation where performance metrics are continuously updated based on thermal distribution results, which in turn feed back into the thermal model for refined analysis. This feedback loop enables progressive optimization of driveline design, ensuring that thermal effects are fully accounted for while maintaining a systematic approach to convergence

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

This approach allows for accurate prediction of thermal behavior and performance metrics, leading to improved design optimization, reduced risk of failure, and faster product development, while ensuring safety and efficiency in driveline systems.

Implementation Method 1

creating a thermal model from a parametric description of the driveline; calculating a temperature distribution for one or more components of the driveline using the thermal model

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

determining a deflection of one or more components of the driveline caused by the thermal distribution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS11321502B2Driveline designer

Publication Date: 2022.05.03 ROMAX TECHNOLOGY LIMITED

AI summary

A computer-implemented method for modelling a driveline, the driveline comprising a plurality of components. The method comprising the steps of: a) receiving a parametric description of the driveline; b) creating a thermal model of the driveline from the parametric description; c) calculating a temperature distribution for one or more components of the driveline using the thermal model; d) determining a deflection of one or more components of the driveline caused by the thermal distribution, based on the parametric description and the temperature distribution; and e) calculating a performance metric of the driveline based on the determined deflection of the one or more components.