EV Drive Unit With Integrated Power Split for Compact AWD
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive units for electric vehicles primarily support single-wheel drive or transverse distribution to drive axles, lacking a compact design for permanent or selectable all-wheel drive configurations.
Innovation Solution
A drive unit comprising an electric machine, multi-speed transmission, and a distributor device that allows for longitudinal distribution of drive power to multiple axles, enabling a compact design with permanent or selectable all-wheel drive capabilities, utilizing a distributor device to distribute power to at least two outputs, and incorporating a multi-speed transmission with selectable transmission ratios and a differential transmission for torque management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a distributor device is used to distribute drive power to multiple axles, then all-wheel drive capability is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the multi-speed transmission and distributor device into a single integrated unit. The transmission ratios are changed within the distributor device by selecting different gear stages, eliminating the need for separate transmission and distribution systems. This merging reduces overall device complexity while maintaining all-wheel drive capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributor device is designed to perform multiple functions: it distributes drive power to multiple axles and simultaneously provides multi-speed transmission. By making the distributor device universal, the patent avoids adding separate transmission systems for each axle, thereby reducing complexity while achieving versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate drive units are used for each axle, then all-wheel drive is achieved, but the overall system size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using separate drive units for each axle, the patent merges all drive functions into a single distributor device that serves multiple axles. This consolidation eliminates redundant components and reduces overall system weight while maintaining all-wheel drive capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributor device is designed as a universal component that can distribute power to multiple axles and provide multiple transmission ratios. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for duplicate drive units, thereby reducing system weight.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a multi-speed transmission is integrated with the distributor device, then transmission ratios can be changed, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the multi-speed transmission directly into the distributor device by providing multiple gear stages within the distributor. This allows transmission ratio selection without requiring a separate transmission system, reducing overall complexity while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributor device is designed to provide both power distribution to multiple axles and multi-speed transmission capabilities. This universal design eliminates the need for separate transmission systems, reducing complexity while enabling transmission ratio selection.
Data Source
AI summary
A drive unit for an electric vehicle has at least one electric machine, a multi-speed transmission, and a distributor device. The rotor of each electric machine is connected to an associated input shaft of the multi-speed transmission. The multi-speed transmission is connected on the output side to the distributor device with different transmission ratios being selectable in the multi-speed transmission. In addition, a drive power introduced into the distributor device can be distributed to at least two outputs of the distributor device. In order to provide a compact drive unit for an electric vehicle with permanent all-wheel drive or selectable all-wheel drive, the distributor device can be used to provide a longitudinal distribution of the introduced drive power in that the outputs of the distributor device are each provided for coupling to a respective drive axle of the electric vehicle.