Hybrid Drive Module Torsional Vibration Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

In vehicle drive trains with internal combustion engines, rotational irregularities and torque fluctuations due to periodic ignitions lead to noticeable vibrations, which existing technologies struggle to fully eliminate, especially under cramped space conditions that compromise vibration damping effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid drive module incorporating an electric machine with a stator and rotor arrangement coupled to a torsional vibration damping system, featuring a phase shifter arrangement that introduces a phase shift in rotational irregularities between two torque transmission paths, and a housing filled with fluid to enhance damping and reduce wear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional vibration damping systems are used, then rotational irregularities can be reduced to some extent, but the installation space required increases and decoupling quality deteriorates under cramped space conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotational irregularitiesVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the vibration damping function with the torque transmission function into a single integrated component. The torsional vibration damping arrangement is inserted directly into the torque transmission path between the internal combustion engine and the transmission, eliminating the need for separate vibration damping systems and reducing installation space while maintaining effective reduction of rotational irregularities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The torque transmission path is divided into two separate paths: a first torque transmission path that includes the vibration damping arrangement, and a second torque transmission path that bypasses it. This segmentation allows selective damping of torque fluctuations while maintaining efficient power transmission, and the phase shifter arrangement further segments the vibration damping into multiple frequency ranges for more effective reduction of rotational irregularities in limited space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If vibration damping arrangements are added to reduce rotational irregularities, then the decoupling quality improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotational irregularitiesVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The torsional vibration damping arrangement performs multiple functions simultaneously: it dampens torque fluctuations from the internal combustion engine, transmits drive torque to the transmission, and through the phase shifter arrangement, addresses multiple frequency ranges of rotational irregularities. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall system while effectively reducing rotational irregularities.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The phase shifter arrangement dynamically adjusts the phase of torque oscillations in the first torque transmission path relative to the second path, enabling adaptive vibration damping across different operating conditions and frequency ranges. This dynamic phase adjustment allows the system to maintain effective decoupling quality across varying engine speeds and load conditions without increasing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 effectively eliminates rotational irregularities by superimposing phase-shifted and non-phase-shifted torque oscillations, achieving a significantly smoothed torque profile, even in critical frequency ranges, while minimizing wear and optimizing space usage.

Implementation Method 1

a spring arrangement (64) counteracting a relative rotation between the primary side (60) and the secondary side (62)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a housing arrangement which is rotatable about an axis of rotation, is filled or can be filled with fluid and at least encloses the coupling arrangement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscous damping: Viscous Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2703687B1Hybrid drive module
Publication Date: 2019.05.08 ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
  • EP2703687B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2703687B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2703687B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A hybrid drive module comprises an electric machine (150) with a stator arrangement (152) and a rotor arrangement (154) coupled to a torsional vibration damping arrangement (28), wherein the torsional vibration damping arrangement (28) comprises an input region (52) and an output region (82), wherein a first torque transmission path (46) and, in parallel thereto, a second torque transmission path (48) as well as a coupling arrangement (50) for superimposing the torques transmitted via the torque transmission paths (46, 48) are provided between the input region and the output region, wherein the torsional vibration damping arrangement further comprises, at least in the first torque transmission path, a phase shifter arrangement for generating a phase shift of rotational irregularities transmitted via the first torque transmission path relative to rotational irregularities transmitted via the second torque transmission path.wherein the output area comprises a further vibration system (90) with a primary side (94) and a secondary side rotatable against the action of a spring arrangement (98) with respect to the primary side.