Integrated Motor-Transmission Housing With Shared Cooling Lubrication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle electric assemblies have a bulky and inefficient structure, leading to high weight, increased costs, and reduced endurance capabilities due to large, separate motor and transmission assemblies with inadequate cooling and space utilization.
Innovation Solution
An integrated electric assembly design where the motor and transmission share a compact box assembly, utilizing a mounting plate for cooling lubrication and an oil pump to circulate cooling lubricating liquid, reducing the need for multiple components and bolts, and enhancing heat dissipation through a combination of liquid and air cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If motor assembly and transmission assembly are individually disposed and connected through bolts, then each assembly can be independently manufactured and maintained, but the overall structure becomes bulky, occupies more space, and increases weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the motor assembly and transmission assembly into a single integrated electric assembly. The motor housing and transmission housing are merged into one unified structure, eliminating the need for separate bolt connections and reducing overall volume. This merging approach maintains manufacturing feasibility while significantly compacting the assembly footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated electric assembly housing performs multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as both the motor housing and transmission housing, provides structural support, and facilitates cooling fluid circulation. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized production processes.
2Strength
If box assemblies at connection locations have relatively large wall thicknesses, then structural strength is improved, but space is wasted and the structure becomes less compact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing thicker wall sections only at specific connection locations where strength is required, while using thinner walls in non-critical areas. This localized reinforcement maintains necessary structural strength while minimizing overall volume and improving compactness of the electric assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated housing design redistributes structural strength across three dimensions by creating a unified shell structure that leverages the geometry of the entire assembly rather than relying on thick walls in single locations. This dimensional optimization reduces material usage while maintaining strength.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate assemblies are used, then component modularity is achieved, but the number of components increases and mounting becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the motor and transmission into a single integrated assembly that functions as one modular unit. This eliminates the need for multiple separate mounting operations while maintaining the adaptability benefits of modularity at the system level. The integrated assembly can be mounted as a single component, significantly simplifying installation procedures.
4Adaptability or versatility
If separate motor and transmission assemblies are used, then each assembly can be optimized independently, but the overall mass increases and affects vehicle endurance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines motor and transmission into one integrated assembly, eliminating redundant structural components, fasteners, and cooling systems. This merging reduces overall mass while maintaining the ability to independently optimize motor and transmission designs through separate engineering processes before integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated design allows for feedback loops in the design process where weight savings from integration can be reinvested into performance optimizations, and vice versa. This iterative optimization process continues until the best balance between independent optimization capability and minimum weight is achieved.
5Device complexity
If inadequate cooling system is used, then device complexity is reduced, but heat dissipation is insufficient and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling systems for the motor and transmission into a single integrated cooling circuit. This unified cooling system uses one set of cooling channels, pumps, and fluid circulation paths to cool both components, reducing system complexity while maintaining adequate heat dissipation for both the motor and transmission through shared cooling infrastructure.
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
The solution results in a more compact, lightweight, and efficiently cooled electric assembly with improved reliability, stability, and reduced energy loss, enhancing the vehicle's endurance and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The cooling lubricating liquid fills the transmission holding cavity and cools the box assembly through the mounting plate
Implementation Method 2
the oil pump is disposed on the box assembly and configured to transport the cooling lubricating liquid in the transmission holding cavity to the transmission and the mounting plate
Data Source
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AI summary
This application discloses an electric assembly and a vehicle having the same. The electric assembly includes: a box assembly, where an mounting plate is disposed in the box assembly, and the mounting plate divides a space within the box assembly into a motor holding cavity and a transmission holding cavity; a motor, disposed in the motor holding cavity; a transmission, disposed in the transmission holding cavity, where the motor is power-coupled to the transmission; and a cooling lubricating liquid, filling the transmission holding cavity and cooling the box assembly.