Hybrid ATV Powertrain Layout for Low-Speed Torque and 4WD Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current all-terrain vehicles face inefficiencies in mechanical and transmission efficiency, particularly with fuel-powered systems that have low efficiency below 5000 rpm and high fuel consumption, and hybrid vehicles struggle with four-wheel drive distribution and emissions during low-load conditions.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid power system that utilizes an engine to drive a first half shaft and a motor to drive a second half shaft, incorporating a continuously variable transmission, main speed reducers, and a planetary gear mechanism to achieve four-wheel drive and dynamic force distribution, with a controller starting the engine only after a predetermined vehicle speed is reached to optimize efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If fuel-powered CVT transmission system is used, then vehicle can operate at low speeds, but transmission efficiency is low and belt breaks easily due to high temperature

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle operating speedVSAvoidtransmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The power transmission system is segmented into two independent paths: one for the engine (through CVT to front half shaft) and one for the motor (through gear transmission to rear half shaft). This segmentation allows each power source to operate independently in its optimal efficiency range, with the motor providing efficient low-speed torque and the engine providing high-speed power, thereby resolving the contradiction between low-speed operation and transmission efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operating parameters by introducing a motor that operates efficiently at low speeds and high torques, complementing the engine which operates efficiently at high speeds. The controller dynamically adjusts the contribution of each power source based on vehicle speed and load requirements, ensuring optimal transmission efficiency across the entire operating range

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If fuel-powered engine is used, then vehicle can achieve high speed, but fuel consumption is high below 5000 rpm

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle speedVSAvoidfuel consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between motor-driven and engine-driven modes based on real-time operating conditions. At low speeds below 5000 rpm, the motor provides the primary driving force, avoiding the high fuel consumption of the engine in this range. When vehicle speed exceeds 5000 rpm, the controller transitions to engine-driven mode, utilizing the engine's high-speed efficiency. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between speed range and fuel consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The hybrid power system makes the vehicle universally adaptable to different speed and load conditions by combining two power sources with complementary characteristics. The motor handles low-speed, high-torque requirements efficiently, while the engine handles high-speed cruising efficiently, making the vehicle optimally efficient across the entire operating spectrum rather than compromising for a single operating range

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If hybrid power system with four-wheel drive is implemented, then dynamic force distribution is achieved, but component arrangement becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedynamic force distributionVSAvoidcomponent arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The four-wheel drive system is segmented into two independent power transmission paths: engine-CVT-front half shaft and motor-gear transmission-rear half shaft. This segmentation simplifies the component arrangement by avoiding the need for a complex central differential and transfer case, while still achieving independent control of front and rear wheel drive forces through the controller

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The controller acts as an intermediary that coordinates the two independent power transmission paths, dynamically adjusting the torque distribution between front and rear wheels based on driving conditions. This intermediary control achieves adaptive four-wheel drive without requiring complex mechanical linkages between the power sources

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3967533B1Hybrid power system and all-terrain vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 SEGWAY TECH CO LTD
  • EP3967533B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3967533B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3967533B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

A hybrid power system (100) includes: an engine (11); a continuously variable transmission (12), power being transferred between the continuously variable transmission and the engine; a first transmission (13), power being transferred between the first transmission and the continuously variable transmission; a first main decelerator (14), power being transferred between the first main decelerator and the first transmission; a first half shaft (15), power being transferred between the first half shaft the first main decelerator; a motor (21); a second transmission (22), power being transferred between the second transmission and the motor; a second main decelerator (23), power being transferred between the second main decelerator and the second transmission; and a second half shaft (24), power being transferred between the second half shaft and the second main decelerator.