Electric Drive Axle With Independent Torque Paths for Off-Road Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrically drivable drive axles for off-road commercial vehicles lack flexibility in torque distribution and multi-stage switching, with mechanical coupling limiting their performance and compactness.
Innovation Solution
The drive axle features two independent torque paths with identical electric motors, transmissions, and gear sets within a common housing, allowing for separate control and operation of each path without mechanical coupling, enabling flexible operation and compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical coupling is used to connect drive trains, then structural simplicity is maintained, but torque distribution flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The drive axle is segmented into multiple independent drive trains (first drive train with first electric motor and first transmission, second drive train with second electric motor and second transmission), each forming a separate torque path. This segmentation eliminates the need for mechanical coupling between drive trains while enabling independent torque control to each wheel, thereby achieving flexible torque distribution without compromising structural simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If drive trains are integrated in a common housing, then compactness is achieved, but multi-stage switching capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
Each transmission in the separate torque paths is equipped with switchable gear sets that can be dynamically changed during operation. The first transmission can switch between first and second gear sets, and the second transmission can switch between third and fourth gear sets, enabling multi-stage switching capability. This dynamic gear switching allows the drive axle to adapt to different driving conditions while maintaining a compact integrated housing design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If identical electric motors are used in both torque paths, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but operational flexibility for diverse terrain is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
While identical electric motors are used in both torque paths to maintain manufacturing simplicity, each motor is equipped with independent control systems and switchable transmissions. This allows each wheel to receive different torque characteristics tailored to specific terrain conditions, achieving local optimization of performance. The independent control of each motor-transmission unit enables the system to adapt to diverse terrain requirements without requiring different motor models.
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 allows for independent control of each torque path, supporting cornering and diverse terrain use, increasing the vehicle's operational flexibility and reducing mechanical load, while maintaining a compact structure.
Implementation Method 1
a first drive train with a first electric motor, a first transmission, and a first output, and a second drive train with a second electric motor
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to an electrically driven drive axle (19) for an all-terrain utility vehicle, comprising a first drive train (20) with a first electric motor (21), a first transmission (22), and a first output (23), and a second drive train (30) with a second electric motor (31), a second transmission (32), and a second output (33), wherein the first drive train (20) and the second drive train (30) are arranged in a common housing (40) and/or on the common housing (40), and wherein the first drive train (20) forms a first torque path and the second drive train (30) forms a second torque path. The drive axle (10) according to the invention is characterized in that the first torque path and the second torque path are mechanically separated from each other. The invention further relates to a corresponding vehicle.