Electric Machine Rotor Clutch Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical machines in motor vehicle drive trains lack efficient integration of a clutch device and actuating mechanism within the rotor, leading to suboptimal power transmission and increased space requirements.
Innovation Solution
An electrical machine with a stator and rotor, featuring a clutch device and actuating device integrated into the rotor, where the clutch device is arranged between the internal combustion engine and the electric machine, and the actuating device uses a ramp mechanism and epicyclic gear train to enable efficient power transmission with reduced actuation force and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the clutch device and actuating device are integrated into the rotor of the electric machine, then space requirements are reduced and power transmission efficiency is improved, but the structural complexity of the rotor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch device and actuating device are integrated into the rotor of the electric machine, combining multiple functional components into a single structural unit. This merging reduces the overall space requirements and eliminates the need for separate clutch housings and actuating mechanisms that would otherwise be required in conventional configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotor is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the rotating component of the electric machine and as the housing for the clutch device and actuating mechanism. This multi-functionality allows the same structural element to perform both electromagnetic conversion and mechanical power transmission/coupling functions, thereby reducing overall system complexity despite the increased functional integration.
2Productivity
If the clutch device is arranged between the internal combustion engine and the electric machine, then power transmission efficiency is optimized, but the actuation force requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating device serves as an intermediary mechanism between the control system and the clutch device. It translates small actuating forces into the larger forces required to engage and disengage the clutch, using mechanical advantage through levers, cams, or hydraulic/pneumatic amplification mechanisms integrated within the rotor structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating device utilizes dynamic mechanical elements such as springs, dampers, and movable cam surfaces that can adapt the force requirements during engagement and disengagement. These dynamic elements allow the clutch to be actuated with reduced force by leveraging the natural motion and elastic properties of the components during the transition states.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A clutch device having an actuating device for a drivetrain of a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine, having an electric machine with a stator and a rotor, and having a transmission device, wherein the clutch device is arranged in the drivetrain between the internal combustion engine at one side and the electric machine and the transmission device at the other side, wherein the clutch device and the actuating device are integrated into the rotor of the electric machine in order to structurally and/or functionally improve the clutch device.