Low-Speed EV Drive Unit Reusing EPS Motor Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicles with speeds of 60 km/h or lower require drive units that are exposed to harsh environments, leading to potential design and development delays and increased costs due to the need for enhanced reliability.
Innovation Solution
The drive unit incorporates an electric motor operating as an electric power steering motor, utilizing a shaft, stator windings, and an inverter housed within a motor housing, with a simplified electrical connection system and a compact design to enhance reliability while reducing development time and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electric motor is designed specifically for low-speed electric vehicles (60 km/h or lower), then the drive unit can be optimized for the vehicle's performance requirements, but the design and development time and costs increase due to the need for enhanced reliability in harsh environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using an electric motor originally designed for electric power steering in a public road vehicle and adapting it for use in a low-speed electric vehicle. The motor serves multiple functions - it was designed for steering assistance and is now used for propulsion, leveraging its existing reliability and performance characteristics without requiring complete redesign for the new application.
2Reliability
If an electric motor is designed specifically for low-speed electric vehicles (60 km/h or lower), then the drive unit can be optimized for the vehicle's performance requirements, but the design and development costs increase due to the need for enhanced reliability in harsh environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using an electric motor originally designed for electric power steering in a public road vehicle and adapting it for use in a low-speed electric vehicle. The motor serves multiple functions - it was designed for steering assistance and is now used for propulsion, leveraging its existing reliability and performance characteristics without requiring complete redesign for the new application.
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 provides a highly reliable drive unit for electric vehicles by leveraging existing electric power steering motor technology, thereby shortening design periods and costs while maintaining performance in challenging conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The inverter may be electrically connected to the plurality of stator windings and may be configured to supply an electric current to the plurality of stator windings when a switching control operation of the inverter is executed
Implementation Method 2
The electric motor may include: a plurality of stator windings; and a rotor which is configured to rotate the shaft
Data Source
AI summary
An electric vehicle, which includes a drive wheel, has a maximum speed of 60 km/h or lower. The drive unit includes: a shaft that is configured to apply a rotational drive force to the drive wheel; an electric motor that includes a plurality of stator windings and a rotor configured to rotate the shaft; an inverter that is electrically connected to the plurality of stator windings and is configured to supply an electric current to the plurality of stator windings when a switching control operation of the inverter is executed; and a housing that receives the electric motor and the inverter. The electric motor is configured to operate as an electric power steering motor for electric power steering in a vehicle that is configured to travel on public roads.