Modular Axle and Wheel System for Reconfigurable Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle configurations, particularly dually vehicles, have fixed motive wheel and axle configurations that are not easily reconfigurable, limiting the ability to adjust load carrying capacity and torque output post-manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A modular axle and motive wheel system that allows for the selective attachment and detachment of inner and outer motive wheels, hub motors, and spacers, enabling the conversion between single and dual wheel configurations, thereby adjusting torque output and load carrying capacity as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dually vehicles are designed with two motive wheels per side to increase load carrying capacity, then the load carrying capacity and torque output are improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of reconfiguration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The axle system is divided into modular components including inner motive wheels, outer motive wheels, hub motors, and spacers that can be independently attached and detached. This segmentation allows the system to be reconfigured between single and dual wheel configurations without replacing the entire axle assembly, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability for different load carrying requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The axle configuration is made dynamic and reconfigurable rather than fixed. The system can transition between different operational states (single wheel or dual wheel per side) through the selective attachment and detachment of modular components, enabling the vehicle to adapt its load carrying capacity and torque output based on actual operational needs without permanent structural changes
2Power
If the entire powertrain is reconfigured to increase torque output for heavier loads, then the torque output and power are improved, but the ease of manufacture and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power delivery system is segmented into the existing powertrain and the modular axle/wheel components. By separating the torque generation (powertrain) from torque delivery (axle and wheels), the system can adjust torque output through axle configuration changes rather than powertrain reconfiguration, simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs
Solution Approach 2:
The ability to adjust torque output is extracted from the powertrain and relocated to the axle system through the addition of outer motive wheels and hub motors. This extraction allows torque output adjustment without modifying the engine or powertrain, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving the desired power flexibility
3Manufacturing precision
If fixed axle configurations are used at manufacture, then the manufacturing precision and quality control are improved, but the adaptability and flexibility post-manufacture deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The axle system is segmented into standardized modular components with precise manufacturing specifications for each individual part (inner wheels, outer wheels, hub motors, spacers). This allows each component to be manufactured with high precision independently, while the modular interface design enables flexible reconfiguration of these precisely manufactured parts post-manufacture without compromising overall system precision
Solution Approach 2:
The modular components are designed with universal interfaces and standardized dimensions that allow the same components to serve multiple functions and configurations. The inner motive wheels, outer motive wheels, and spacers can be arranged in different configurations (single or dual wheel per side) using the same set of precisely manufactured parts, maintaining manufacturing precision while achieving reconfiguration flexibility
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
Enables flexible reconfiguration of vehicle axle configurations to increase or decrease load carrying capacity and torque output without requiring significant changes to the engine or powertrain, simplifying maintenance and upgrading processes.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of inner electric hub motors each comprising an inner stator and an inner rotor, the inner rotors configured for reversible motive rotation of the inner motive wheels by and about the inner stators
Implementation Method 2
comprising an outer electric hub motor comprising an outer stator and an outer rotor, the outer rotors configured for reversible motive rotation of the outer motive wheels by and about the outer stators
Data Source
AI summary
A modular axle and motive wheel system comprises: a pair of opposed axle ends and attached axle hubs; a pair of inner motive wheels each comprising an outer surface and configured for radially extending rotatable disposition on the hubs; and a pair of inner electric hub motors each comprising an inner stator and an inner rotor, the inner stators configured for attachment to the axle hubs, the inner rotors configured for attachment to the outer surface of the inner motive wheels, the inner rotors configured for rotation of the inner motive wheels by and about the inner stators; the inner motive wheels configured for attachment of a pair of outer motive wheels each comprising an outer electric hub motor comprising an outer stator configured for selective attachment to the inner stator and an outer rotor configured for attachment to the outer motive wheel and rotation of the outer motive wheels.