Final Drive AWD Coupling Integrated Radial Bearing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing design of all-wheel drive (AWD) couplings and final drives in vehicles is costly, heavy, and inefficient due to the separate journaling of rotating parts, which results in energy losses and complex mounting processes.
Innovation Solution
The ingoing axle of the AWD coupling is radially journaled only by the pinion axle in the final drive, using a radial bearing arrangement to achieve necessary stability, reducing the need for separate radial bearings and simplifying the mounting process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate radial bearings are provided for the AWD coupling and final drive, then the journaling stability is improved, but the device complexity, weight, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the journaling function for both the AWD coupling and final drive into a single radial bearing arrangement. The bearing simultaneously supports the ingoing axle of the AWD coupling and the pinion axle of the final drive, eliminating the need for separate bearing arrangements and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining journaling stability
Solution Approach 2:
The single radial bearing arrangement performs multiple functions: it journals the AWD coupling ingoing axle, journals the final drive pinion axle, and provides structural support for both units. This multi-functional bearing design reduces the total number of components needed while ensuring reliable operation of both systems
2Reliability
If separate radial bearings are provided for the AWD coupling and final drive, then the journaling stability is improved, but the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple bearing functions into a single radial bearing arrangement, directly reducing the total weight of the bearing system. By eliminating redundant bearing components and their associated mounting structures, the overall weight of the stationary bearing system is reduced while maintaining the required journaling stability for both AWD coupling and final drive
3Reliability
If separate radial bearings are provided for the AWD coupling and final drive, then the journaling stability is improved, but the mounting complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the mounting processes for the AWD coupling and final drive journaling into a single bearing installation. This unified approach simplifies the mounting procedure by reducing the number of separate bearing installations required, while still providing the necessary journaling stability for both units through the single radial bearing arrangement
4Reliability
If separate radial bearings are provided for the AWD coupling and final drive, then the journaling stability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the journaling functions into a single radial bearing arrangement, reducing the total number of bearings that need to be manufactured, procured, and installed. This consolidation directly reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining the required journaling stability through the optimized single bearing design that serves both AWD coupling and final drive functions
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 significantly reduces bearing losses, costs, and weight by eliminating the need for separate radial bearings and simplifying the integration of AWD and final drive units, while maintaining the required journaling stability.
Implementation Method 1
a radial bearing arrangement, preferably consisting of two radial bearings, is arranged between a stub axle at the end of the pinion axle and a bearing sleeve at the end of the ingoing axle
Data Source
AI summary
A final drive for a road vehicle comprises a pinion gear on a pinion axle journaled in a housing, the pinion gear being in gear engagement with a crown gear journaled for rotation transversely to the pinion axle. The final drive is combined with an all wheel drive (AWD) coupling, comprising a disc package axially controlled by a hydraulic piston for optionally transmitting torque from an ingoing axle to the pinion axle, the disc package being rotatably connected to the pinion axle. The ingoing axle of the AWD coupling is radially journaled only by the pinion axle in the final drive.