Transverse Electric Drive Axle With Three-Stage Reduction Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
The layout of electric drive axles is limited due to the engine and generator occupying most of the engine room, resulting in a special dumbbell-shaped envelope with limited space, increased wear and reduced stability, and the inability to freely switch between two-wheel and four-wheel drive power sources.
Innovation Solution
A transversely arranged electric drive axle with a motor assembly and differential assembly on either side of a three-stage reduction mechanism, featuring a split clutch and parallel shaft gear transmission, which reduces the motor shaft length, improves stiffness, and allows for balanced weight distribution, enhancing stability and compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the motor power is directly transmitted through the shaft to the differential, then the transmission path is simple, but the wear of the transmission mechanism increases and the smoothness and stability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a shaft assembly as an intermediary component between the motor and differential. This shaft assembly includes a shaft body with bearing supports that provide intermediate support points, reducing the span length and improving transmission stability without significantly increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission path is segmented into multiple sections by introducing bearing supports at intermediate positions along the shaft. This divides the long transmission path into shorter segments, reducing cumulative wear and improving stability while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
2Reliability
If the engine and generator are installed as backup power sources, then the power system is more reliable, but the layout space of the electric drive axle is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adopts a transverse arrangement of the electric drive axle on the chassis, utilizing the lateral dimension of the vehicle platform. This dimensional reconfiguration allows for more flexible space utilization in the engine room, accommodating both the electric drive axle and backup power sources without excessive space consumption
3Stability of the object's composition
If the motor shaft length is reduced to improve stiffness, then the stability is improved, but the power transmission distance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces bearing supports as intermediary elements that provide intermediate connection points along the transmission path. This allows the motor shaft to be shorter and stiffer while still achieving the required power transmission distance through the addition of these intermediate support structures
Solution Approach 2:
The power transmission path is segmented into multiple shorter sections by adding bearing supports at intermediate positions. Each segment can use a shorter, stiffer shaft portion, and the cumulative effect achieves the required transmission distance while maintaining high stiffness throughout the system
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 reduces the motor shaft length, improves stability, and enables efficient power transmission while allowing for both two-wheel and four-wheel drive configurations, optimizing space utilization and reducing system losses.
Implementation Method 1
the inner differential housing is supported inside the outer differential housing by a needle roller bearing
Implementation Method 2
the gear set is provided on the inner differential housing, the third stage large gear is integrated on the outer differential housing
Implementation Method 3
the split clutch is provided between the inner differential housing and the outer differential housing, and the inner differential housing and the outer differential housing are locked to move together or separated to move independently by making the split clutch to perform a first or second action
Data Source
AI summary
An electric drive axle and an automobile are disclosed. The electric drive axle is transversely arranged on a chassis, and comprises a motor assembly, a reducer assembly, and a differential assembly. The motor assembly and the differential assembly are respectively arranged on two sides of the reducer assembly. The reducer assembly comprises a three-stage reduction mechanism. When operating in electric drive mode, a motor power is transmitted to the differential assembly after being decelerated by the three-stage reduction mechanism, and the differential assembly distributes and outputs the power to left and right wheels of a vehicle. The electric drive axle in the present disclosure occupies a smaller space, the overall weight is evenly distributed, thereby improving the safety of the automobile. The three-level reduction mechanism prevents the high-speed motor shaft from directly transmitting power to the gear set of the differential assembly, thereby improving the stability and reliability of the electric drive axle.