Electric Work Machine Drivetrain Layout for Ground Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing drivetrains of working machines, such as backhoe loaders, face a reduction in ground clearance due to the offset connection between the front axle and transmission, which compromises off-road mobility, as they require an oil pan for the internal combustion engine.
Innovation Solution
A drivetrain configuration with a first driven axle and a second driven axle, where the wheels of the first axle have a smaller effective diameter than the second axle, utilizing an electric traction motor, transmission, and an axle disengagement device, allowing the drive shafts to extend in a single plane, thereby eliminating the need for a vertical offset and maintaining ground clearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If an internal combustion engine with oil pan is used, then the engine can provide sufficient power, but the ground clearance is reduced due to vertical offset connection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the internal combustion engine with an electric motor, eliminating the need for an oil pan and associated vertical offset connections. This substitution allows the drivetrain components to be arranged in a single plane, maximizing ground clearance while maintaining power delivery capability through electric propulsion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a three-dimensional vertical offset arrangement (required by oil pan geometry) to a two-dimensional planar arrangement of drivetrain components. By eliminating the vertical dimension requirement, the design achieves optimal ground clearance while maintaining all necessary mechanical connections in a single horizontal plane.
2Ease of manufacture
If the front axle connection is offset vertically to accommodate the oil pan, then the oil pan can be installed, but the off-road mobility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The electric motor eliminates the oil pan requirement entirely, removing the need for vertical offset connections and thereby restoring full off-road mobility capability without compromising manufacturing simplicity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If wheels of the first axle have smaller effective diameter than the second axle, then the drivetrain can accommodate different axle requirements, but the shaft arrangement becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the complexity of accommodating different wheel diameters by eliminating vertical offset requirements. All shafts are arranged in a single horizontal plane, allowing the drivetrain to handle different axle configurations without increasing vertical complexity, thereby simplifying the overall shaft arrangement.
Data Source
AI summary
A drivetrain of a working machine, including at least a first driven axle and a second driven axle, wherein respective wheels of the first driven axle have a smaller effective diameter than respective wheels of the second axle, an electric traction motor, a transmission, and an axle disengagement device. A drive shaft of the transmission is connected to a driven shaft of the electric traction motor. A first driven shaft of the transmission is connected to a drive shaft of the axle disengagement device. A driven shaft of the axle disengagement device is configured to be connected to the first axle. A second driven shaft of the transmission is configured to be connected to the second axle. The driven shaft of the electric traction motor, the first driven shaft of the transmission and the second driven shaft of the transmission extend in one plane.