Hub Motor Arrangement Using Planetary Gearing for Lightweight Ride-On Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hub motor arrangements are too expensive and heavy for use in children's vehicles, making them unsuitable for providing a desirable operating experience at a reasonable cost.
Innovation Solution
A hub motor arrangement that incorporates a standard, commercially-available 'off-the-shelf' electric motor with a planetary gear transmission system, where the motor is positioned along the central axis and offset laterally to optimize space and reduce weight, allowing for a cost-effective and efficient drive system in small vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a custom or large electric motor arrangement is used in a hub motor, then the desired power and performance are achieved, but the hub motor becomes heavy and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the hub motor into two functional segments: a stationary stator assembly and a rotating rotor assembly. This segmentation allows the heavy stator to remain fixed while only the lighter rotor rotates, reducing the effective rotating mass and improving acceleration and energy efficiency while maintaining full motor power output capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a conventional radial magnetic field configuration to an axial flux configuration where magnetic fields are generated perpendicular to the rotor axis. This dimensional change allows for a more compact, lighter rotor design while maintaining or increasing power density, as the magnetic flux path is optimized through the axial direction rather than radially
2Power
If a custom or large electric motor arrangement is used in a hub motor, then the desired power and performance are achieved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the stator assembly to serve multiple functions: it generates the magnetic field, provides structural support for the hub motor, acts as a mounting surface for the rotor assembly, and serves as part of the overall hub structure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components, reducing part count, assembly complexity, and manufacturing cost while maintaining motor power
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the stator assembly and hub structure into a single integrated component, and similarly combines the rotor assembly with the wheel hub. This merging reduces the total number of parts, simplifies assembly procedures, and lowers manufacturing costs while preserving the full power output capability of the motor
3Ease of manufacture
If a standard off-the-shelf motor is used, then cost is reduced, but the motor may not be optimized for the specific application requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality optimization by designing the rotor and stator with specific magnetic material distributions and coil windings tailored to the exact power and torque requirements of children's vehicles. The magnetic field strength, pole configurations, and winding patterns are locally optimized for this specific application range, ensuring maximum efficiency and performance for small to medium-powered vehicles while still using standard motor components
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 solution provides a lightweight and cost-effective hub motor arrangement that offers equivalent power to traditional hub motors, with longer battery life and reduced weight, enabling efficient propulsion of small vehicles like electric scooters and bicycles.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of planet gears, each of which is supported on a respective one of the plurality of connecting shafts. A sun gear is driven by a motor and drives the plurality of planet gears. A ring gear is driven by the plurality of planet gears.
Implementation Method 2
A sun gear is driven by a motor
Data Source
AI summary
A ride-on vehicle, such as for a child, includes a vehicle body and one or more wheels that support the vehicle body relative to a surface. At least one of the wheels includes a hub motor arrangement that provides a drive torque for propelling the vehicle. The hub motor arrangement includes a housing defining an interior space. An axle or other mounting element(s) define an axis of rotation of the housing. Preferably, the axle or other mounting element(s) do not pass completely through the housing. A motor drives the housing through a transmission. Preferably, the motor is a standard, compact motor that is positioned on the axis of rotation and can be laterally offset from a central plane of the housing. In some embodiments, a traction element is carried directly by the housing.