Electric Drive Axle With Concentric Clutches for Torque Vectoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrically driven vehicle axles require additional gear trains for torque vectoring, increasing complexity and cost, and existing solutions with multiple electrical machines are cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle axle design featuring a single electrical machine connected to both drive shafts through concentric, hydraulically actuated disc clutches, allowing for compactness, improved torque control, and reduced complexity by using a common input shaft and separate hydraulic actuators for individual torque control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional gear trains are added to the differential for torque vectoring, then torque vectoring capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the torque vectoring function from the traditional gear train differential and implements it through a separate electrical machine with clutch connections to each drive shaft. This removes the complex gear trains from the differential while maintaining torque vectoring capability through independent clutch control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electrical machines and clutches as intermediary components between the power source and drive shafts. These intermediaries enable torque vectoring by selectively engaging or disengaging torque transmission to each wheel, replacing the need for complex mechanical gear trains.
2Measurement precision
If two electrical machines are used to drive each drive shaft independently for torque vectoring, then torque control precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single electrical machine perform multiple functions by connecting it to both drive shafts through controllable clutches. The electrical machine can independently control torque to the left and right drive shafts by engaging or disengaging the clutches, achieving torque vectoring without requiring two separate electrical machines.
Solution Approach 2:
The clutches serve as intermediary components that enable one electrical machine to control two drive shafts independently. By selectively engaging the clutches, the system achieves precise torque control for each wheel while using only one electrical machine.
3Device complexity
If conventional clutch arrangements are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but axial space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent arranges the clutches concentrically on the input shaft, with one clutch nested within the radial space of the other. This nested arrangement allows both clutches to occupy the same axial space, significantly reducing the overall axial length requirement while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a conventional linear arrangement of clutches along the axial direction to a concentric arrangement in the radial dimension. By placing clutches at different radial positions on the same input shaft, the system reduces axial space requirements while maintaining functional independence of each clutch.
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 design enables efficient and accurate torque vectoring with reduced weight and response time, minimizing axial space requirements and eliminating the need for additional gear trains, thus enhancing driving performance and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
The first and second clutches may be hydraulically actuated disc clutches
Implementation Method 2
hydraulically actuated disc clutches
Data Source
AI summary
An electrically driven vehicle axle is provided, including an electrical machine, a left drive shaft, a right drive shaft, a first clutch connecting the electrical machine to the left drive shaft and a second clutch connecting the electrical machine to the right drive shaft. The first and second clutches are arranged concentrically.