Dual-Drive Electric Machine With Epicycle Gear Torque Decoupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dual-drive electric machines with friction type electromagnetic clutches suffer from residual rotary torque during disengagement, leading to kinetic energy loss and ineffective operation.

Innovation Solution

A dual-drive electric machine integrated with a controllable epicycle gear set and brake device, allowing for precise control of transmission and interaction between rotation shafts through the epicycle gear set and controllable brake device, enabling efficient engagement and disengagement without residual torque.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a friction type electromagnetic clutch device is used to engage or release the load with the rotary electric machine, then the engagement and disengagement operations can be controlled electrically, but residual rotary torque remains during releasing causing kinetic energy loss and ineffective operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengagement and disengagement controlVSAvoidkinetic energy loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an epicycle gear set as an intermediary mechanism between the electromagnetic clutch and the load. The epicycle gear set includes a sun wheel, planet wheels, and a ring gear that work together to provide mechanical advantage and control torque distribution. This intermediary mechanism allows for smoother engagement and disengagement by distributing the torque through multiple gear contacts, thereby reducing residual rotary torque and minimizing kinetic energy loss during releasing operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the variable gear ratio characteristics of the epicycle gear set to dynamically change the torque transmission parameters. By adjusting the position and engagement state of the planet wheels relative to the sun wheel and ring gear, the system can modify the effective gear ratio during engagement and disengagement processes. This parameter change enables better control over torque transfer, reducing residual rotary torque and improving energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Extent of automation

If a friction type electromagnetic clutch device is used for engagement and disengagement, then electrical control is achieved, but the residual rotary torque causes ineffective operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical controlVSAvoidoperation effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The epicycle gear set serves as a mechanical intermediary that bridges the electromagnetic clutch and the load. The sun wheel, planet wheels, and ring gear create a controlled mechanical transmission path that supplements the electrical control system. This intermediary mechanism ensures more reliable and effective operation by providing mechanical advantage and reducing residual torque, thereby enhancing the overall system reliability while maintaining electrical control capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the torque transmission path into multiple independent components within the epicycle gear set: the sun wheel, multiple planet wheels, and the ring gear. Each component can independently handle portions of the torque load, and their coordinated operation provides smoother and more reliable engagement and disengagement. This segmentation reduces the stress on any single component and minimizes residual rotary torque, improving operational effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 effectively manages torque transfer, minimizing energy loss and ensuring efficient operation by allowing controlled engagement and disengagement, thus enhancing the performance of dual-drive electric machines.

Implementation Method 1

an epicycle gear set (EG101) constituted by a sun wheel (W101) and an outer annular wheel (W102) and at least one planetary wheel (W103) mutually performing friction transmissions to form a planetary gear set function

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGear meshing: Gear

Implementation Method 2

a controllable brake device (BK101), and the other action side is fixed in the housing (H100)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3438502B1Dual-drive electric machine having controllable epicycle gear set
Publication Date: 2023.05.24 YANG TAI HER
  • EP3438502B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3438502B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3438502B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention is structured by a dual-drive electric machine being combined with an epicycle gear set (EG101) and a controllable brake device, through controlling the controllable brake device to perform brake locking or releasing, the operations of transmission function of combining transmission or releasing between a rotation shaft (S101) at an output/input end, a rotation shaft (S102) at an output/input end and a sleeve type rotation shaft (AS101) at an output/input end of the epicycle gear set (EG101) are enabled to be controlled, and the interacting operation between the dual-drive electric machine (EM100) and the output/input ends are also enabled to be controlled.