Integrated Final Drive Assembly Reducing Axle Width
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing axle assemblies with planetary gears and wheel bearings are costly, heavy, and wide due to the use of forged components and placement of bearings, which increases stress and overall weight, necessitating a more efficient design.
Innovation Solution
A final drive design featuring a planetary gear assembly with a ring gear, sun gear, and planet gears integrated within a housing, where at least one bearing is mechanically coupled to the housing, allowing for torque multiplication and reduced stress through a compact design, and the use of a wheel supported by these bearings, with a preload member to manage horizontal loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If forged components with special heat treatment are used for spindle and hub, then strength and stress resistance are improved, but cost and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the spindle, hub, and bearing functions into a single integrated axle assembly. The bearing is positioned inside the hollow spindle, eliminating the need for separate forged spindle and hub components while maintaining structural integrity and stress resistance through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing is nested within the hollow interior of the spindle, with the bearing's inner race positioned inside the spindle's hollow space. This nesting arrangement allows the bearing to support radial and axial loads on the spindle without requiring additional external forged components.
2Strength
If bearings are placed next to planetary gear assembly, then support for high stresses is improved, but width of assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing bearings externally alongside the planetary gear assembly (increasing width), the patent positions the bearing internally within the hollow spindle structure. This dimensional repositioning moves the bearing from an external radial arrangement to an internal axial arrangement, reducing overall assembly width while maintaining stress support capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used in final drive, then functionality is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functional components into a single integrated axle assembly structure. The spindle serves as both a structural support element and a bearing mounting structure, while the bearing is integrated within the spindle's hollow interior. This consolidation reduces the number of separate manufactured components while maintaining all necessary functions of support, rotation, and load bearing.
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
The design reduces the overall cost, weight, and width of the axle assembly by distributing loads effectively and using lower-cost materials, while maintaining high torque transfer efficiency and reducing structural stresses.
Implementation Method 1
The planetary gear assembly multiplies torque from the axle to a planet gear carrier
Implementation Method 2
at least one bearing mechanically coupled to the external surface of the housing and a wheel rotatably supported by the at least one bearing
Data Source
AI summary
A final drive includes a planetary gear assembly and at least one bearing. The at least one bearing defines an annulus having an internal space where at least a portion of the planetary gear assembly is located within the internal space. A final drive includes a planetary gear assembly, and at least one bearing, where the at least one bearing defines an annulus having an internal space, and where at least a portion of the planetary gear assembly is located within the internal space.