Electrified Axle Assembly With Coplanar Dual-Motor Gear Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle axle assemblies lack efficient integration of electric motors, leading to suboptimal power transmission and reduced ground clearance in electrified vehicles.
Innovation Solution
The electrified axle assembly incorporates a dual-motor setup with idler shafts, output shafts, and planetary gear sets, allowing for efficient power transmission and improved ground clearance by positioning the electric motor coplanar with the axles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a traditional single motor configuration is used, then the device complexity is lower, but the power transmission efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the power transmission system into two separate motor assemblies, each with its own motor, idler shaft, and gear train. This segmentation allows each motor to independently drive one axle, optimizing power transmission efficiency for each wheel while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions the motors and gear trains in a coplanar arrangement with the axles, utilizing the vertical dimension to stack components efficiently. This dimensional reorganization allows the dual-motor system to achieve superior power transmission without proportionally increasing the horizontal footprint or overall complexity
2Stability of the object's composition
If the electric motor is positioned traditionally, then the mounting is simpler, but the ground clearance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the motor assembly to be coplanar with the axles rather than above them, utilizing the vertical space between the axles and the vehicle body. This dimensional shift maintains ground clearance by removing the motor from the vertical space above the axles, while the coplanar configuration simplifies mounting through direct integration with the existing axle housing structure
3Ease of operation
If power delivery to each axle is independent, then the handling is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates two independent motor assemblies, each capable of independently driving one axle. This segmentation enables differential power delivery to each wheel for improved handling and traction control, while the modular nature of each assembly keeps the overall system complexity manageable through standardized components
Solution Approach 2:
The coplanar arrangement of motors and axles allows independent power delivery without requiring complex cross-axle mechanical linkages. By positioning components in the same plane, the patent simplifies the mechanical connection paths while maintaining the independence needed for enhanced handling characteristics
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 power transmission efficiency, improves ground clearance, and allows for better handling by enabling independent power delivery to each axle, thus addressing the limitations of traditional axle assemblies.
Implementation Method 1
a drive wheel meshed with a pinion of the first motor
Implementation Method 2
a first idler gear meshed with a first output gear of the first output shaft, and a second idler gear meshed with a second output gear of the first output shaft
Implementation Method 3
a first planetary gear set mechanically coupled between the first output shaft and the first axle
Implementation Method 4
a pair of roller bearings positioned between the first output shaft and a planet carrier of the first planetary gear set
Data Source
AI summary
An electrified axle assembly includes a first and second motor, a first and second idler shaft, and one or more output shafts mechanically engaged with the first and/or second idler shafts and one or more axles. In some embodiments, the electrified axle assembly may include two output shafts, with each output shaft meshed with a corresponding one of the idler shafts and a corresponding one of the axles. In other embodiments, the electrified axle assembly may include a single output shaft meshed with each of the idler shaft and each axle. Additional single motor and single and dual speed embodiments are also disclosed.