Electric Drive Train Torque Vectoring via Differential Shaft

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drive trains for electrically all-wheel drivable motor vehicles require complex arrangements to enable all-wheel drive, particularly in passenger vehicles, often involving additional components and non-standardized designs.

Innovation Solution

A drive train configuration with two electric machines connected via gearings to axle halves and a differential, allowing torque vectoring and transmission to a second axle through a shared shaft, enabling all-wheel drive with standardized, structurally simple means, and using a common housing for gearings and differentials with needle bearings for simplified construction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If two electric machines are arranged to drive both axles directly, then all-wheel drive capability is achieved, but device complexity increases due to additional components and non-standardized designs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveall-wheel drive capabilityVSAvoiddrive train structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The first electric machine is designed to perform multiple functions: it can independently drive the first axle through the first gearing, and simultaneously drive the second axle through the differential and shaft connection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a second electric machine dedicated to the second axle, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining all-wheel drive capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The drive train merges the functions of two separate drive systems into one unified system. The differential serves as a common connection point that distributes torque from the first electric machine to both axles, combining what would traditionally require two independent electric machines into a single integrated drive unit

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a second electric machine is added to drive the second axle independently, then torque vectoring capability is improved, but device complexity and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetorque vectoring capabilityVSAvoiddrive train weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The first electric machine universally serves both axles, providing torque distribution and vectoring capabilities that would traditionally require a second dedicated motor. By making the first electric machine perform dual functions, the system achieves torque vectoring without the additional weight of a second electric machine

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of physically copying the second electric machine setup for the second axle, the system uses a virtual copy approach where the first electric machine's output is replicated and distributed to both axles through the differential and shaft mechanism, achieving similar functional outcomes without duplicate heavy components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Ease of manufacture

If standardized components are used for the drive train, then ease of manufacture is improved, but adaptability to achieve all-wheel drive with electric machines positioned at one axle is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestandardizationVSAvoidall-wheel drive configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The differential is designed with universal functionality to accept torque input from the first electric machine and distribute it to both the first and second axles. This universal design allows standardized components to be configured for all-wheel drive without requiring custom non-standardized parts, bridging the gap between standardization and adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9096126B2Drive train of a purely electrically all-wheel drivable motor vehicle

Publication Date: 2015.08.04 DR ING H C F PORSCHE AG

AI summary

A drive train (1) of a purely electrically all-wheel drivable motor vehicle has a first axle (2) with axle halves (7, 8) and a differential (9) connecting them, a second axle (3) with axle halves (4, 5) and a differential connecting them, and first and second electric machines (19, 20) for driving the axles (2, 3). The first electric machine (19) is connected via a first transmission (24) to one axle half (7) of the the first axle (2) and the second electric machine (20) is connected via a second transmission (25) to the other axle half (8) of the first axle (2). The two differentials (6, 9) are connected to each other via a shaft (13). The drive train provides an all-wheel drive with simple construction, and standardization.