Electric Work Vehicle Drivetrain Layout for Compact Component Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing electric work vehicles poses challenges in accommodating electric drivetrain and component storage configurations within the typical design envelope of conventional engine-driven work vehicles.
Innovation Solution
The electric work vehicle features a chassis with a cab supported between the ends, a work implement assembly at one end, and a storage compartment extending between the cab and the opposite end. The storage compartment houses a battery module and an electric traction motor, with the motor being coaxially aligned with the transmission to facilitate torque transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If electric vehicle components (battery module, electric traction motor) are accommodated within the typical design envelope of conventional engine-driven work vehicles, then the conversion from engine-driven to electric is straightforward with minimal design changes, but the space available for component storage is limited and components must be tightly integrated
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle body is divided into distinct storage compartments: a forward storage compartment for the battery module and electric traction motor, and a rear storage compartment for additional components. This segmentation allows each component to be positioned in optimized locations while maintaining the overall compact design envelope of conventional vehicles.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric traction motor is positioned with its output shaft coaxially aligned with the transmission input shaft, utilizing the longitudinal dimension of the vehicle. This coaxial arrangement optimizes space utilization and simplifies the drivetrain integration without requiring additional lateral or vertical space.
2Power
If the electric traction motor is positioned within the storage compartment with coaxial alignment to the transmission, then torque transfer is optimized and drivetrain efficiency is improved, but the positioning constraints increase and installation complexity rises
Solution Approach 1:
The forward storage compartment is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support for the vehicle, houses the battery module, accommodates the electric traction motor, and facilitates torque transfer to the transmission. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated spaces for each function, simplifying overall vehicle design.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric traction motor and transmission are merged into a closely integrated drivetrain assembly where the motor's output shaft is coaxially aligned with the transmission input shaft. This merging eliminates the need for complex coupling mechanisms and intermediate alignment procedures, reducing installation complexity while maintaining optimal torque transfer.
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 configuration allows for efficient accommodation of electric vehicle components within the existing design envelope of conventional vehicles, enabling straightforward conversion of engine-driven vehicles to electric without significant design changes.
Implementation Method 1
a battery module positioned within the storage compartment
Implementation Method 2
an electric traction motor positioned within the storage compartment and configured to be operated via power supplied from the battery module
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, an electric work vehicle includes a chassis extending in a longitudinal direction between a first end and an opposed second end, and a cab supported between the first and second ends of the chassis. The work vehicle also includes a work implement assembly positioned at the first end or the second end, and a storage compartment defining a storage volume extending in the longitudinal direction between the cab and the first end or the second end. Moreover, the electric work vehicle includes a battery module positioned within the storage compartment, and a drivetrain including an electric traction motor positioned within the storage compartment and configured to be operated via power supplied from the battery module. The electric traction motor is coupled to a transmission of the drivetrain to allow torque to be transferred from the traction motor to corresponding traction devices of the electric work vehicle.