Integrated Motor-Engine Drive Unit Vibration Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hybrid vehicles face challenges in improving vehicle motion performance while minimizing drive unit vibration and maintaining occupant comfort, particularly when the drive unit is positioned near the center of the vehicle, where space is limited and vibration is exacerbated by the proximity to the drive wheel.

Innovation Solution

The integration of the engine and motor housings, along with the output shafts, forms a compact unit where the motor's weight acts as a balance weight for the engine, reducing overall length and vibration, and the rotor's weight section functions as a balance weight to suppress vertical displacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the drive unit is arranged in the area near the center of the vehicle, then vehicle motion performance is improved, but the mounting space is limited and vibration is exacerbated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle motion performanceVSAvoiddrive unit vibration

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The motor housing and engine housing are merged into a single integrated housing structure. The motor is positioned adjacent to the engine with their housings joined together, creating a compact drive unit that reduces overall length and minimizes vibration through structural integration and mass distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The motor's weight is utilized as a balance weight for the engine. By positioning the motor adjacent to the engine and integrating their housings, the motor's mass counteracts the engine's vibration, reducing vertical displacement and improving ride comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the motor housing is directly coupled to the engine housing to increase weight, then engine vibration is suppressed, but the drive unit weight increases and vehicle motion performance degrades

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine vibrationVSAvoiddrive unit weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The motor housing and engine housing are merged into a single integrated structure. This combines the masses of both components into one unit, achieving vibration suppression through mass distribution without adding extra weight, as the motor's own mass is utilized rather than adding separate balance weights.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The motor serves dual functions: it provides driving power and simultaneously acts as a balance weight for the engine. The integrated housing structure enables the motor to fulfill both roles, eliminating the need for additional vibration suppression components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Length of moving object

If the length of the drive unit is shortened, then the distance to the drive wheel is reduced and vertical displacement is suppressed, but the mounting complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrive unit lengthVSAvoidmounting complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The motor housing and engine housing are merged into a single integrated housing, which shortens the overall length of the drive unit in the axial direction. This integration simplifies the structure by eliminating separate mounting interfaces and reduces the number of components that need to be assembled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The motor is positioned within the overall drive unit structure adjacent to the engine, with their housings integrated. This nested arrangement optimizes space utilization and shortens the drive unit length while maintaining ease of assembly through standardized mounting interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 effectively reduces drive unit vibration and enhances vehicle motion performance by compacting the drive unit, allowing it to be positioned closer to the center of the vehicle, thereby improving handling and comfort.

Implementation Method 1

The rotor has: a main body section that generates a rotational magnetic field with the stator; and a weight section that functions as a balance weight of the engine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentUS11608052B2Vehicle

Publication Date: 2023.03.21 MAZDA MOTOR CORP

AI summary

Provided is a vehicle capable of suppressing vibration of a drive unit having an engine and a motor to be small and having high vehicle motion performance. The drive unit for travel of the vehicle includes an engine and a motor. The engine is a rotary engine and has an engine output shaft and an engine housing. The motor has a motor output shaft, a rotor, and a stator that are accommodated in a motor housing. The engine housing of the engine and the motor housing of the motor are directly joined to each other. The engine output shaft and the motor output shaft are directly joined to each other. The rotor of the motor has: a main body section that generates a rotational magnetic field with the stator; and a weight section that functions as a balance weight of the engine.