Modular Trailing Arm Housing for Drivetrain Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drivable torsion beam axle designs face challenges in creating a cost-effective and modular trailing arm device that allows for easy assembly and maintenance, particularly due to the integration of electric machines and transmissions within the trailing arm, which complicates the design and increases production costs.
Innovation Solution
A trailing arm device with a modular design featuring a central housing area connected to the trailing arm, where the transmission device is partially housed and an additional detachable housing part accommodates the electric machine, enabling pre-assemblable modules that can be easily connected during final assembly, reducing production costs and allowing for adaptation to various vehicle concepts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the housing is designed in one piece with the trailing arm, then the structural strength and integration are improved, but the manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into multiple detachable parts that can be separately manufactured and then assembled. This allows each part to be produced using optimal manufacturing processes for that specific component, reducing overall manufacturing cost while maintaining the structural integrity needed for strength.
2Volume of moving object
If the transmission and electric machine are integrated into the trailing arm housing, then the device compactness is improved, but the ease of assembly and maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into detachable parts that allow the transmission and electric machine to be accessed separately. This segmentation enables modular assembly where components can be installed and maintained independently, improving ease of assembly and maintenance while maintaining compact overall device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission and electric machine are nested within the housing structure, with the housing parts forming nested compartments. This nesting arrangement achieves compact device volume while the detachable nature of the housing parts allows for easy access and assembly of the nested components.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the housing parts are permanently connected to the trailing arm, then the structural stability is improved, but the adaptability to different vehicle concepts deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into detachable parts that can be selectively assembled with the trailing arm. This segmentation provides structural stability through proper connection design while enabling adaptability by allowing different housing configurations to be matched with various vehicle concepts and trailing arm designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The detachable housing parts are designed with universal connection interfaces that can accommodate different vehicle concepts and trailing arm variations. This universality allows the same housing components to be adapted across multiple vehicle platforms, maintaining structural stability while providing design flexibility.
4Ease of repair
If the electric machine and transmission are housed in separate detachable parts, then the ease of maintenance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into separate detachable parts that enclose the electric machine and transmission. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to access and service each component independently by removing only the relevant housing part, improving ease of maintenance. The modular design actually reduces overall device complexity by organizing components into manageable, independently serviceable modules.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
Disclosed is a longitudinal control arm device (1) of a drivable semi-independent suspension (2), said device comprising a housing (5), in which a drive train (8) can be arranged and which is connected to a longitudinal control arm (4). The housing (5) comprises: a central housing region (9) which is rigidly connected to the longitudinal control arm (4); a housing part (11) on a side (R) of the central housing region (9) that faces towards a wheel, when the housing is fitted in a vehicle, for at least partially receiving a transmission assembly (7) of a drive train (8), said housing part being closed on the wheel side (R), open on the side (A) facing away from the wheel side (R) and being connected to the central housing region (9); and an additional housing part (12) on a side (A) of the central housing region (9) that faces away from the wheel side (R), said additional housing part being detachably connected on the wheel side to the central housing region (9) of the housing (5), being closed on the side (A) facing away from the wheel side (R) and being provided to partially receive an electric machine (6) of the drive train (8).