Hybrid Drive Device Nested Clutch Torque Limiter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hybrid vehicles face challenges in expanding the EV travel region while maintaining a compact drive device design, as existing systems struggle to effectively utilize both electric rotating machines for EV travel and manage axial length.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid vehicle drive device incorporating a planetary gear mechanism, one-way clutch, and torque limiter, where the sun gear is connected to a first electric rotating machine, the carrier is connected to the engine, and the ring gear is connected to a second electric rotating machine and drive wheels, with the one-way clutch and torque limiter disposed inside a hollow rotary member to regulate rotation and torque transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If both electric rotating machines are used as power sources for EV traveling, then the EV travel region can be expanded, but the axial length of the drive device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The one-way clutch and torque limiter are nested inside the hollow rotary member, utilizing the internal space of the rotary member to accommodate additional components. This nesting arrangement allows the drive device to support dual electric rotating machines for expanded EV travel capability while maintaining a compact axial length, as the additional components do not increase the overall axial dimension of the drive device.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of arranging components sequentially along the axial direction, the invention places the one-way clutch and torque limiter in the radial direction by nesting them inside the hollow rotary member. This dimensional reorganization allows the drive device to accommodate more functional elements without increasing axial length, thereby enabling expanded EV travel region while maintaining compact dimensions.
2Length of moving object
If the one way clutch and torque limiter are disposed inside the rotary member, then the axial length is suppressed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow rotary member serves multiple functions: it acts as a structural rotation element for power transmission and simultaneously serves as a housing for the one-way clutch and torque limiter. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated housings or mounting structures, thereby suppressing axial length while minimizing the increase in device complexity through functional integration.
3Length of moving object
If the ring gear is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the hollow rotary member, then the axial length is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ring gear is nested on the inner peripheral side of the hollow rotary member, creating a compact concentric arrangement. This nesting configuration reduces axial length by eliminating the need for separate mounting structures or spacing elements. The concentric nesting also provides natural alignment references, helping to manage manufacturing precision requirements through geometric constraint.
Data Source
AI summary
A hybrid vehicle drive device includes a planetary gear mechanism, a one way clutch, and a torque limiter, wherein a sun gear of the planetary gear mechanism is connected to a first electric rotating machine, a carrier thereof is connected to an engine, and a ring gear thereof is connected to a second electric rotating machine and drive wheels, respectively, the ring gear is disposed on an inner peripheral side of a hollow rotary member as well as connected to drive wheels via counter drive gear disposed on an outer peripheral side of the rotary member, the one way clutch regulates a rotation of the carrier in a negative direction when it is assumed that a rotation direction of the ring gear at the time a hybrid vehicle travels forward is a positive direction, the torque limiter operates in response to transmission torque of the one way clutch and restricts the transmission torque of the one way clutch, and the one way clutch and the torque limiter are disposed inside of the rotary member.