Integrated Drivetrain Swingarm for Compact Rear Axle Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing vehicle drivetrain systems require additional mechanisms like hangers or rear rocker arms to connect to the wheel axle, increasing the overall cost and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A drivetrain device mounted between the vehicle frame and wheel axle, featuring a driving assembly with a transmitting mechanism and a shock absorber, which provides power transmission and shock absorption, eliminating the need for external connecting mechanisms and simplifying the structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a drivetrain is mounted on the vehicle frame and connected to the wheel axle by a hanger or rear rocker arm, then the connection function is achieved, but the total cost increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the rear rocker arm and hanger into a single integrated drivetrain assembly. The drivetrain is directly mounted on the vehicle frame and connects to the wheel axle through its own mounting structure, eliminating the need for separate connecting mechanisms. This integration reduces the number of parts and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining the required connection function.
Solution Approach 2:
The drivetrain assembly serves multiple functions: it provides power transmission to the wheel axle and simultaneously acts as the connecting mechanism between the frame and wheel axle. By making the drivetrain multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for dedicated connecting components like hangers or rear rocker arms, thereby reducing device complexity and manufacturing cost.
2Volume of moving object
If additional connecting mechanisms like hanger or rear rocker arm are used, then the connection between drivetrain and wheel axle is achieved, but the occupied space below the vehicle frame increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the connection function with the drivetrain assembly itself. The drivetrain is directly mounted to the vehicle frame and connects to the wheel axle through integrated mounting structures, eliminating the need for additional space-consuming connecting mechanisms like hangers or rear rocker arms. This merging approach reduces the occupied space below the vehicle frame while maintaining the connection function.
3Device complexity
If the drivetrain is directly connected to the wheel axle by a gear set, then the structure is simplified and cost is reduced, but the shock absorbing and buffering functions must be provided by the same assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The drivetrain assembly is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: power transmission through the gear set and shock absorption through the shock absorber mounted on the drivetrain. This multi-functional design allows the same assembly to provide both mechanical connection and damping functions, maintaining reliability while simplifying the overall structure and reducing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The shock absorber is mounted on the drivetrain assembly to provide shock absorbing and buffering functions. This intermediary component protects the direct gear set connection from shock loads, ensuring reliable power transmission while maintaining the simplified structure. The shock absorber acts as a mediator that protects the mechanical connection from harmful vibrations and shocks.
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 reduces the occupied space below the vehicle frame, allows efficient use of space, and directly connects the transmitting mechanism to the wheel axle via a gear set, thereby lowering the total cost and enhancing structural simplicity.
Implementation Method 1
The shock absorber is mounted between the vehicle frame and the driving assembly, and is configured to provide shock absorbing and buffering functions between the vehicle frame and the driving assembly
Implementation Method 2
The driving mechanism is mounted at a side of the transmitting mechanism, and is configured to output power to the transmitting mechanism, which transfers the power outputted by the driving mechanism to the wheel axle
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle drivetrain device, configured to be mounted between a vehicle frame and a wheel axle of a vehicle, comprises a driving assembly and a shock absorber, connected to the vehicle frame and the driving assembly. The driving assembly comprises a transmitting mechanism, pivotally connected to the vehicle frame and connected to the wheel axle, and a driving mechanism mounted at a side of the transmitting mechanism and outputting power to the wheel axle through the transmitting mechanism. The driving assembly of the vehicle drivetrain device possesses functions of a rear rocker arm and provides power. Therefore, a space between the vehicle frame and the wheel axle can be used efficiently, and the occupancy of a usable space below the vehicle frame is decreased. Furthermore, the transmitting mechanism can be directly connected to the wheel axle by a gear set, simplifying a total structure, thereby lowering the cost.