Electric Vehicle Running Gear Layout and Frame Simplification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle designs with drive wheels driven by an electromotor have complex frame structures due to the arrangement of the electromotor and speed reduction gear, which complicates the support and compact mounting of the running gear in a narrow space.
Innovation Solution
The electric vehicle design features a running gear support frame with a pair of right and left side frames, front and rear cross frames, and upper side frames that surround the electromotor and speed reduction gear, with the electromotor's axis direction aligned along the vehicle's right-to-left direction, allowing for stable support and compact arrangement by using motor and speed reduction gear support brackets with damper members to absorb vibrations and facilitate efficient component placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the electromotor is arranged in the right-to-left center of the vehicle body with its axis direction along the vehicle longitudinal direction, then the speed reduction gear can be positioned to extend drive shafts of the same length to the right and left drive wheels, but the frame structure becomes complicated and curved to surround and support the electromotor
Solution Approach 1:
The electromotor is repositioned from the longitudinal center arrangement to a lateral arrangement between the speed reduction gear and the side frame, changing the spatial dimension of component layout. This dimensional shift allows the frame to maintain a simpler linear structure while still achieving uniform drive shaft lengths through the speed reduction gear's central positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The speed reduction gear serves as an intermediary component positioned in the right-to-left center, mediating between the electromotor and the drive shafts. This intermediary arrangement allows the electromotor to be placed laterally while still achieving symmetric drive shaft extension through the speed reduction gear's central location
2Ease of manufacture
If the speed reduction gear is positioned in the right-to-left center to transmit power to drive shafts, then power transmission is simplified, but the electromotor arrangement requires a complicated curved frame to surround it
Solution Approach 1:
The electromotor is extracted from the longitudinal center position and relocated to the lateral space between the speed reduction gear and the side frame. This extraction removes the conflict between central power transmission and frame simplicity, allowing the frame to maintain a simple linear structure while power transmission remains efficient through the centrally positioned speed reduction gear
Solution Approach 2:
The component layout transitions from a longitudinal arrangement to a lateral arrangement, utilizing the width dimension of the vehicle body. This dimensional change allows the electromotor to be positioned in the available lateral space without interfering with the simple linear frame structure, while the speed reduction gear's central position ensures efficient power transmission
3Device complexity
If the electromotor axis is arranged along the vehicle right-to-left direction to extend on one side of the speed reduction gear, then the frame structure is simplified, but the running gear must be stably supported in a narrow space
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is localized to specific critical points: the front end and rear end of the speed reduction gear are supported on the cross frames, and the side end is supported on the side frame. This localized support approach provides stable support in the narrow space while maintaining overall frame simplicity, applying support quality where needed rather than throughout the entire structure
Solution Approach 2:
The running gear support frame performs multiple functions: it provides structural support for the speed reduction gear and electromotor, serves as a mounting platform for suspension arms, and defines the narrow space for compact component arrangement. This multi-functionality achieves stable support while maintaining frame simplicity and compact layout
4Volume of moving object
If the running gear is compactly mounted in a narrow space with the electromotor extending on one side, then space utilization is improved, but additional support brackets and dampers are needed to stabilize the running gear
Solution Approach 1:
Vibration damping is applied locally at the support points where the running gear connects to the frame. Damper members are installed specifically at the front end, rear end, and side end support locations, providing vibration suppression only where needed for stable support in the compact arrangement, rather than throughout the entire running gear assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The support brackets and damper members are pre-configured as integrated components of the running gear support system. The motor support bracket and speed reduction gear support brackets are designed with built-in damper mounting capabilities, allowing vibration suppression to be prepared in advance as part of the compact running gear assembly rather than added later
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 simplifies the frame structure, stabilizes the running gear, suppresses vibrations, and achieves a compact layout by ensuring the electromotor is supported without forming a complicated curved frame, allowing for efficient assembly and balanced component arrangement.
Implementation Method 1
motor and speed reduction gear support brackets with damper members to absorb vibrations
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
To provide an electric vehicle including right and left drive wheels, capable of simplifying a frame structure while communalizing components and achieving efficient arrangement of a running gear and electrical components. An electric vehicle includes a running gear 12 including an electromotor 13 and a speed reduction gear 14, and a running gear support frame 35 provided to surround the running gear 12. The speed reduction gear 14 is arranged in the right-to-left center of a vehicle body. The electromotor 13 is configured in such a manner that an axis direction is arranged along a vehicle right-to-left direction so that the electromotor 13 extends to one side in a right-to-left direction of the speed reduction gear 14, and is arranged between the speed reduction gear 14 and a left lower side frame 27 of the running gear support frame 35.