Electric Steering Drive System With Independent Energy Sources
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle drive systems with wheel-based steering lack operational reliability due to the absence of mechanical coupling between drive sides, requiring excessively dimensioned electric motors and complex cabling to handle regenerative power transfer, making them unreliable in case of individual drive element failures.
Innovation Solution
The system employs at least two independent energy sources, including an internal combustion engine and an accumulator, to provide electric current for both traction and steering drives, ensuring continued vehicle operation and steering capability even with individual drive element failures by using separate power units and energy converters to manage power distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If electric motors are used to transfer regenerative power from one drive side to the other, then power transfer capability is improved, but motor size and cabling complexity increase excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical power transfer system (electric motors and complex cabling) with a mechanical power transfer system. The differential gear mechanism provides direct mechanical coupling between the two drive sides, allowing regenerative power to be transferred mechanically from one side to the other without requiring oversized electric motors or complicated electrical cabling.
Solution Approach 2:
The differential gear mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it enables wheel-based steering by allowing different rotational speeds on each drive side, provides mechanical coupling for power transfer between drive sides, and allows the vehicle to rotate on the spot. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated power transfer mechanisms.
2Device complexity
If a single current supply circuit is used for steering and traction, then system simplicity is improved, but operational reliability deteriorates due to failure risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the current supply system into two independent circuits: one circuit supplies the traction motors for vehicle propulsion, while the other circuit supplies the steering motor for directional control. This segmentation ensures that a failure in one circuit does not affect the other, maintaining operational reliability while keeping each individual circuit relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The differential gear mechanism acts as a mechanical intermediary that couples the two independently powered drive sides together. This mechanical coupling allows the system to maintain simplicity through independent electrical circuits while achieving reliability through mechanical integration that enables continued operation even when one electrical system fails.
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 enhances operational reliability by allowing the vehicle to continue driving and steering with independent energy sources, reducing the need for oversized motors and complex cabling, and ensuring safe shutdown in case of component failures.
Implementation Method 1
an internal combustion engine and an accumulator, to provide electric current
Implementation Method 2
A generator which is driven by an internal combustion engine is provided for the generation of the electric power
Implementation Method 3
an internal combustion engine and an accumulator, to provide electric current
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an electric steering and drive system for a vehicle having a wheel-based steering system, having drive elements for traction tracks or for wheels and having two drive shafts, the first end of which is connected to the drive element of the respective one vehicle side and the second end of which is connected to a differential gear mechanism arrangement, and at least one traction motor is connected to at least one of the two drive shafts, and having an electric steering drive which is drive-connected to the differential gear mechanism arrangement, it being possible for the traction motors and steering drives to be supplied with electric current from at least two energy sources which are independent of one another.