Electric Work Vehicle Layout for Width and Weight Balance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric work vehicles face issues with weight imbalance and increased width due to the positioning of batteries, motors, and transmission devices, leading to complex power transmission structures.

Innovation Solution

The configuration positions the transmission device backward of the battery, with the motor and inverter under the battery, allowing for a well-balanced weight distribution and reduced width, and simplifies the power transmission structure by eliminating the need for additional components to bypass the inverter.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If the battery capacity is increased to extend travel distance, then the travel distance is improved, but the vehicle width and weight are increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetravel distanceVSAvoidvehicle width
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent redistributes components along the front-back dimension of the vehicle rather than arranging them side-by-side. The transmission device is positioned behind the battery, and the motor is positioned behind the transmission device, creating a longitudinal arrangement that reduces the lateral width requirement while accommodating larger battery capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If the transmission device is placed under the battery, then the power transmission is simplified, but the front-back weight balance is deteriorated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmission structureVSAvoidfront-back weight balance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of placing the transmission device directly under the battery (vertical arrangement), the patent positions it behind the battery (longitudinal arrangement). This spatial reconfiguration maintains the simplicity of power transmission while distributing weight along the front-back axis to achieve better balance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If the motor is positioned leftward of the battery and the inverter rightward, then the power transmission path is shortened, but the vehicle width is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmission pathVSAvoidvehicle width
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the motor and inverter into a single integrated unit positioned behind the battery. This merging eliminates the need for separate leftward and rightward placements, reducing vehicle width while maintaining efficient power transmission through the integrated design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 results in a balanced weight distribution, reduced width, and simplified power transmission, enhancing the stability and efficiency of the electric work vehicle.

Implementation Method 1

an inverter configured to convert direct-current electric power from the battery into alternating-current electric power and supply the alternating-current electric power to the motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPower conversion (DC to AC):

Implementation Method 2

a motor drivable on electric power supplied by the battery

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion:

Data Source

PatentEP3988366B1Electric work vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP3988366B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3988366B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3988366B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electric work vehicle includes: a battery 4; a motor M positioned under the battery 4 and drivable on electric power supplied by the battery 4; a travel device drivable by the motor; an inverter 14 positioned under the battery 4 and forward of the motor M and configured to convert direct-current electric power from the battery 4 into alternating-current electric power and supply the alternating-current electric power to the motor M; and a transmission device positioned backward of the battery 4 and configured to transmit a driving force of the motor M to the travel device, wherein the motor M and the inverter 14 are arranged in a front-back direction of a machine body. (Fig. 2)