Electric Motor Four-Wheel Drive Apparatus with Decoupling Mechanisms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle four-wheel drive systems face challenges in efficiently transmitting driving force to all wheels while improving steerability, as they either occupy vehicle space with propeller shafts or fail to achieve efficient torque vectoring between front and rear wheels.
Innovation Solution
A drive apparatus for electric-motor four-wheel drive vehicles utilizing two electric motors, differential mechanisms, and decoupling mechanisms to efficiently transmit power to all wheels, allowing for independent control of torque distribution between the left and right wheels, thereby enhancing steerability and roadholding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If propeller shafts are used to transmit driving force to all wheels, then power transmission to all wheels is achieved, but vehicle space is occupied and steerability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the propeller shaft from the drivetrain system. Instead of using a propeller shaft to connect the differential mechanism to the rear wheels, the invention directly couples the electric motor to each wheel through independent drive units, removing the space-consuming propeller shaft while maintaining all-wheel drive capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the drivetrain into independent drive units for each wheel. Each wheel has its own decoupling mechanism and differential mechanism, allowing independent power transmission and control. This segmentation eliminates the need for a centralized propeller shaft system and enables better space utilization and steerability
2Power
If traditional four-wheel drive systems are used, then all wheels receive driving force, but torque vectoring between front and rear wheels is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic torque vectoring by equipping each wheel with an independently controllable decoupling mechanism. These mechanisms can dynamically adjust the torque distribution to each wheel based on driving conditions, enabling efficient torque vectoring between front and rear wheels. The system can independently control the coupling state of each wheel, allowing rapid and precise torque redistribution without the limitations of traditional mechanical differentials
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality control by allowing each wheel to have its own independent torque control through decoupling mechanisms. This enables different torque characteristics to be applied to different wheels based on local driving conditions, such as wheel slip, road surface conditions, and steering requirements, thereby improving overall torque vectoring efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
The invention includes first and second motors, first and second differential mechanisms, and first to eighth decoupling mechanisms. The first and second motors transmit power to left and right wheels. First differential mechanisms distribute the power from the first and second motors. The first and second mechanisms are interposed between the first differential mechanism and the left front wheel and between the differential mechanism and the left rear wheel. The third and fourth decoupling mechanisms are interposed between the first motor and the first decoupling mechanism and between the first motor and the second decoupling mechanism. The fifth and sixth decoupling mechanisms are interposed between the second differential mechanism and the right front wheel and the right rear wheel, respectively. The seventh and eighth decoupling mechanisms are interposed between the second motor and the fifth decoupling mechanism and between the second motor and the sixth decoupling mechanism.