Electric Work Vehicle Layout for Weight Balance and Maneuverability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing work vehicles face issues with heavy weight due to complex transmission configurations and deteriorated weight balance, leading to reduced maneuverability.

Innovation Solution

A work vehicle design where a battery is positioned on the hood, with first and second electric motors driving the rear wheels and work machine respectively, and a gearbox configuration that reduces the number of components and optimizes space usage, improving weight balance and reducing load.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a complex transmission device is used to transmit engine output rotation to rear wheels or work machine, then the driving function is achieved, but the weight of the work vehicle becomes heavy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving functionVSAvoidweight of work vehicle
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the engine-driven mechanical transmission system with an electric motor-driven system. The engine and its complex transmission device are substituted by electric motors that directly drive the rear wheels and work machine, eliminating the need for complex mechanical transmission components and reducing overall vehicle weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the power transmission system into separate electric motors for different functions: one electric motor drives the rear wheels for vehicle movement, while another electric motor drives the work machine. This segmentation eliminates the need for a unified complex transmission system, reducing the number of components and weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Use of energy by moving object

If the battery is mounted on the rear portion of the work vehicle, then the power supply function is achieved, but the weight balance in front-rear direction is deteriorated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply functionVSAvoidweight balance
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent moves the battery from the rear portion (one-dimensional placement) to the hood area, utilizing the three-dimensional space above the front wheels. This spatial repositioning improves the front-rear weight distribution while still achieving the power supply function.

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

3Device complexity

If the first output shaft is provided along the left-right direction and the second output shaft along the front-rear direction, then the transmission mechanism complexity is reduced, but the space utilization below the first electric motor needs optimization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission mechanism complexityVSAvoidspace utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the second electric motor below the first electric motor, creating a nested vertical arrangement. The output shaft of the second electric motor extends upward to intersect with the drive shaft, effectively utilizing the vertical space below the first electric motor while maintaining the simplified transmission configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

The design effectively reduces the vehicle's weight, enhances weight balance, and improves maneuverability by utilizing space efficiently and minimizing the transmission mechanism's complexity.

Implementation Method 1

a battery configured to store electric power supplied to the first electric motor and the second electric motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBattery (electricity): Battery (electricity)

Implementation Method 2

a first electric motor configured to drive the rear wheels

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric motor: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

a second electric motor configured to drive the work machine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric motor: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 4

the gear box for decelerating the output rotation of the first output shaft and switching a rotation direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGear: Gear

Data Source

PatentEP4136959B1Work vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.12.25 ISEKI & CO LTD
  • EP4136959B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4136959B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4136959B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a work vehicle in which deterioration in a weight balance of the work vehicle in a front-rear direction is prevented and maneuverability is improved. A hood (5) in which a predetermined space is formed is provided in a front portion of a traveling vehicle body (1), a control portion (6) on which an operator rides is provided on a rear side of the hood (5), a first electric motor (30) configured to drive rear wheels (3) and a second electric motor (40) configured to drive a work machine (4) are provided on a lower rear side of a control seat (60) of the control portion (6), and a battery (50) configured to store electric power to be supplied to the first electric motor (30) and the second electric motor (40) is provided in the space formed by the hood (5).