Integrated Differential Planetary Gear Mechanism for Vehicle Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driving force adjustment apparatuses for vehicles suffer from increased weight and complexity due to separate differential and planetary gear mechanisms, which worsen mountability and weight distribution.
Innovation Solution
A driving force adjustment apparatus that integrates a differential mechanism with a planetary gear mechanism, including four elements with two degrees of freedom, connected to the driving source, motor, and gear trains to distribute and adjust driving forces between the left and right wheels, reducing weight and size while enhancing mountability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a differential mechanism and planetary gear mechanism are arranged separately as in prior art, then the functions of driving force distribution and adjustment can be achieved, but the apparatus weight and size increase, worsening mountability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the differential mechanism and planetary gear mechanism into a single integrated transmission system. The differential mechanism's planet gears serve dual purposes: distributing driving force to left and right wheels while simultaneously acting as the planetary gear mechanism's working components for adjusting driving force distribution. This merging eliminates separate mechanisms, reducing apparatus weight and size while maintaining both driving force distribution and adjustment functions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two separate planetary gear mechanisms are used for driving force distribution adjustment, then the adjustment function is achieved, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the differential mechanism's planet gears serve multiple functions simultaneously. These planet gears function as both the differential mechanism's force distribution elements and the planetary gear mechanism's adjustment elements. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mechanisms, reducing device complexity and component quantity while achieving both driving force distribution and adjustment capabilities.
3Reliability
If the motor rotation is restrained to improve traction performance, then traction is enhanced, but the motor cannot passively absorb rotational speed differences during vehicle turning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic control system that adjusts motor restraint based on driving conditions. The control unit monitors vehicle operation state and dynamically adjusts the motor's rotational freedom: allowing passive rotation during normal turning to absorb speed differences, and restraining rotation during low-traction conditions to enhance traction performance. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between traction enhancement and passive speed difference absorption.
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~2C
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A driving force adjustment apparatus comprises a driving source (1) that drives a left shaft (3) and a right shaft (4) of a vehicle, and a motor (2) that regulates driving forces that are to be distributed to the left shaft (3) and the right shaft (4). The driving force adjustment apparatus further comprises a left side gear train (A) that adjusts a reduction ratio of the left shaft (3); a right side gear train (B) that adjusts a reduction ratio of the right shaft (4); and a planetary gear mechanism (5) that comprises four elements and has two degrees of freedom, the four elements being connected each to one of the driving source (1), the motor (2), the left side gear train (A), and the right side gear train (B). This configuration integrates the differential mechanism for the left and right wheels (L,R) and the mechanism for adjusting the driving forces of the left and right wheels, aiming at enhancement in moutability and weight reduction.