Electric Drive Module With Vibration Decoupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drive modules for commercial vehicles with electric and hybrid drives require components to be tested functionally only after installation, which is inefficient and does not account for vibration protection during operation.

Innovation Solution

Assembling the drive module components into a fully functional unit externally, with a support frame using rubber-elastic bearings for vibration decoupling and a liquid cooling system, allowing pre-installation testing and improved protection against vibrations and collisions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If components are assembled separately and mounted individually on the longitudinal frame, then installation flexibility is improved, but functional testing cannot be performed before installation and vibration protection is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidfunctional testing capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The drive module is segmented into a self-contained unit with its own support frame, separate from the vehicle's longitudinal frame. This allows the module to be assembled, tested, and installed as a complete functional unit, enabling pre-installation functional testing while maintaining installation flexibility through the modular design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A support frame acts as an intermediary structure between the drive module components and the vehicle's longitudinal frame. This intermediate structure enables the module to be mounted as a complete unit for functional testing, while also providing integration points for vibration protection through rubber-elastic bearings

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If components are mounted directly on the longitudinal frame, then structural integration is improved, but vibration protection during operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrationVSAvoidvibration impact
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support frame serves as an intermediary structure that provides both structural integration and vibration protection. It integrates the drive module components into a stable unit while incorporating rubber-elastic bearings as intermediaries between the module and vehicle frame to filter vibrations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The support frame is designed with integrated vibration protection features, including rubber-elastic bearings, that are built into the structure before the module is installed in the vehicle. This beforehand cushioning ensures vibration protection is already in place when the module begins operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Strength

If the support frame is rigidly connected to the longitudinal frame, then structural strength is improved, but vibration decoupling capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidvibration transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support frame uses rubber-elastic bearings as intermediary elements between itself and the longitudinal frame. These bearings provide the necessary mechanical strength to support the drive module while simultaneously decoupling vibrations through their elastic properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The support frame combines rigid structural elements (for strength) with rubber-elastic bearing materials (for vibration decoupling). This composite approach allows the same support structure to provide both structural strength and vibration protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

Enables pre-functional testing of the drive module components, reduces vibration impact, and provides enhanced protection and accessibility during installation and operation, ensuring efficient and reliable performance.

Implementation Method 1

the support frame is attached to the structure with the interposition of rubber-elastic bearings, whereby the drive module and in particular the battery packs are mounted in a vibration-decoupled manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

rubber-elastic bearings

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

The cooling system can be a liquid system with at least one air-water heat exchanger and a geodetically high coolant expansion tank

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 4

liquid cooling system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP2554420B1Electric drive module for a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle
Publication Date: 2014.05.14 MAN TRUCK & BUS SE
  • EP2554420B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2554420B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2554420B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an electric drive module for a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, with an electric or hybrid drive, comprising at least one battery pack (25) rechargeable via an inverter (27), a support frame (19) accommodating the battery pack (25) and attachable to the vehicle body, and a cooling device for temperature control of the electrical components. According to the invention, the drive module (3) is arranged as a self-contained unit in the support frame (19), which can be attached to the vehicle body (8) (1), together with the battery pack (25), the electrical converters, such as the inverter (27) and DC converter (28), at least one electrical connection interface, and a cooling system with at least one heat exchanger (30), coolant lines (33, 34, 35, 36), and a pump (31).