In-Wheel Drive Carrier Layout for Standard Wheel Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing in-wheel driving systems require a dedicated wheel due to increased wheel bearing size and pitch circle diameter of wheel bolts, leading to unnecessary cost and inefficiency, as they cannot utilize standard wheels.
Innovation Solution
The in-wheel driving device couples the wheel and carrier using wheel bolts, with a carrier that expands to match the wheel bearing's outer diameter, allowing direct coupling and maintaining the existing pitch circle diameter, thus enabling the use of standard wheels and effective lubricant oil sealing through a sealing member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the wheel bearing size is increased to accommodate the in-wheel motor and speed reducer, then the motor and speed reducer can be disposed in the wheel, but the pitch circle diameter of wheel bolts increases requiring a dedicated wheel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flange extending in the axial direction (another dimension) from the carrier, with wheel bolt holes formed in the flange. This allows the wheel bolts to be positioned at a smaller pitch circle diameter in the radial direction while maintaining sufficient space for the in-wheel motor and speed reducer along the axial direction, thereby enabling compatibility with standard wheels.
2Length of stationary object
If the carrier size is reduced to maintain standard wheel compatibility, then standard wheels can be used, but the in-wheel motor and speed reducer may interfere with existing parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the spatial conflict by extending the flange in the axial direction, allowing the wheel bolt holes to be positioned at a smaller radial distance from the center while maintaining adequate space for the in-wheel motor and speed reducer along the axial direction. This dimensional transition enables compact carrier design without interference with existing wheel parts.
3Reliability
If a dedicated wheel is manufactured for the in-wheel driving system, then proper fit and function are achieved, but unnecessary cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the carrier with a flange that has wheel bolt holes positioned to match standard wheel specifications, enabling the carrier to serve multiple functions: supporting the in-wheel motor and speed reducer while maintaining compatibility with standard wheels. This universal design eliminates the need for dedicated wheels, reducing manufacturing costs while ensuring proper fit and function.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are in-wheel driving devices. The devices include a wheel bearing including a hub and an outer ring disposed outward of the hub in a radial direction, a speed reducer including a carrier coupled to a wheel, an annular sealing member disposed between the hub and the carrier and brought into close contact with the carrier to seal lubricant oil supplied into the speed reducer, and wheel bolts that couple the wheel and the carrier and pass through wheel bolt holes formed in the carrier spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction. The sealing member is concentric with a first virtual circle passing through centers of the wheel bolt holes. The first virtual circle has a larger diameter than the sealing member such that the wheel bolts are located outward of the sealing member in the radial direction.