Dual E-Axle Coordination for Low-Radius Electric Vehicle Turning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electric vehicle powertrain configurations lack advanced features for optimized power and traction delivery, particularly in providing low-radius turning functionality and efficient coordinated control of front and rear electric drive modules.
Innovation Solution
The electric vehicle is equipped with a front driveline and rear driveline, each featuring an electric drive axle assembly with a differential locker unit and disconnect unit, allowing for coordinated actuation of front and rear electric drive modules to achieve front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive modes, as well as low-radius turning capabilities through differential locking and axle disconnect mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional electric vehicle powertrain configurations are used, then the vehicle can provide basic propulsion, but it lacks low-radius turning functionality and optimized coordinated control of front and rear electric drive modules
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle is divided into independent front and rear electric drive modules, each with its own motor, differential, and control system. This segmentation allows independent control of front and rear wheels, enabling low-radius turning by rotating front and rear wheels at different speeds and directions, while maintaining modular architecture that manages complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts the speed and torque distribution to front and rear wheels based on steering angle and driving conditions. During low-radius turns, the system dynamically coordinates front and rear wheel rotation to achieve tight turning radius, transitioning between different drive modes (FWD, RWD, AWD) as needed
2Reliability
If electric drive modules are equipped with differential locker units and disconnect units, then power distribution to individual wheels is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The differential locker unit and disconnect unit are integrated into each electric drive module, allowing the same modular component to serve multiple functions: propulsion, traction control, low-radius turning, and various drive modes (FWD, RWD, AWD). This multi-functionality improves reliability without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The control system automatically manages the differential locker and disconnect unit operations based on detected driving conditions, steering angle, and wheel slip. The system self-adjusts power distribution to individual wheels without requiring manual intervention, maintaining reliability while managing operational complexity
Data Source
AI summary
An electric vehicle is comprised of a first driveline equipped with a first electric drive axle assembly having a first electric drive module configured to drive a pair of first wheels, a second driveline equipped with a second electric drive axle assembly having a second electric drive module configured to drive a pair of second wheels and a vehicle control system controlling coordinated operation of the first and second electric drive modules to generate tractive drive torque transmitted to the wheels and provide low-radius turning functionality.