Electric Motor Gearbox Brake Control for Seamless Mode Transitions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive systems for tracked vehicles lack efficient and adaptive control mechanisms for transitioning between different operational modes, such as park, neutral, high range, and low range, which affects their performance and safety.
Innovation Solution
A drive system incorporating an electric motor, a gearbox with planetary gear sets, and a hydraulic system controlled by processing circuitry to manage brake engagement and disengagement, allowing for variable pressurization and mode transitions based on user inputs and sensor feedback, enabling seamless operation across different modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a hydraulic system with variable pressurization is used to control brake engagement, then the adaptability and precision of mode transitions are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic system serves multiple functions: it controls both the engagement and disengagement of brakes across different operational modes (park, neutral, high range, low range) and provides variable pressurization for precise control. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control systems for each brake operation, thereby improving adaptability while managing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensor feedback that monitors the operational state and provides real-time data to the processing circuitry. This feedback mechanism enables adaptive adjustment of hydraulic pressurization during mode transitions, ensuring precise brake control while automatically compensating for system variations, thus improving adaptability without requiring manual intervention.
2Measurement precision
If processing circuitry with sensor feedback is implemented for adaptive control, then the control precision and safety are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Sensor feedback continuously monitors brake engagement status and hydraulic pressure, providing real-time data to the processing circuitry. This enables closed-loop control that automatically adjusts pressurization to achieve precise brake engagement/disengagement, improving measurement precision while automating the control process to manage complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing circuitry autonomously processes sensor feedback and automatically adjusts hydraulic pressurization without requiring manual intervention. The system self-regulates brake engagement based on operational mode and sensor inputs, improving control precision while reducing the need for complex manual control mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If variable pressurization is applied to brake chambers for seamless mode transitions, then the ease of operation is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic system dynamically adjusts pressurization levels based on the current operational mode and transition requirements. During mode transitions, variable pressurization is applied smoothly to ensure seamless brake engagement/disengagement. The system optimizes energy consumption by applying pressure only when and where needed, rather than maintaining constant high pressure, thus improving ease of operation while managing energy use.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple planetary gear sets with integrated brakes are used, then the adaptability across different driving modes is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each planetary gear set is equipped with an integrated brake that serves multiple functions: it enables different gear ratios, provides holding capability for park mode, and facilitates mode transitions. This integration allows a single gearbox structure to achieve multiple driving modes (park, neutral, high range, low range) without requiring separate brake systems for each mode, thereby improving adaptability while managing structural complexity.
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 system provides efficient and adaptive control over the vehicle's operational modes, enhancing performance, safety, and allowing for precise braking and acceleration, thereby improving the overall driving experience and vehicle control.
Implementation Method 1
operate the hydraulic system to provide variable pressurization to a chamber corresponding to one of the first brake or the second brake
Implementation Method 2
the first brake and the second brake both engage corresponding elements of the first planetary gear set and the second planetary gear set to limit rotation of an output shaft of the gearbox
Data Source
AI summary
A military vehicle includes an electric motor, a gearbox, a hydraulic system, and a control system. The gearbox is driven by the electric motor and drives a tractive element. The gearbox includes a first planetary gearset, a second planetary gearset, a first brake, and a second brake. Processing circuitry is configured to obtain one or more control inputs including a brake request or a mode selection. The processing circuitry operates the hydraulic system of the military vehicle to transition the gearbox between a park mode, a neutral mode, a first driving mode, and a second driving mode according to the mode selection. The processing circuitry operates the hydraulic system to provide variable pressurization to a chamber corresponding to one of the first brake or the second brake in order to perform the brake request while operating according to the first driving mode or the second driving mode.