Motor Unit Oil Distribution via Vertical Axis Offset
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing motor design faces challenges in efficiently feeding oil to the gear surfaces due to the large distance between the central axes of the differential and motor, making it difficult for oil scraped up by the differential to reach the motor shaft effectively.
Innovation Solution
The motor unit design includes a rotor, reduction gear, differential, and housing with an oil passage that allows oil to be fed from a lower region of the housing to the motor, with the motor and differential axes aligned in parallel, ensuring efficient oil distribution to the gear surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the central axes of the motor, reduction gear, and differential are arranged in sequence along the horizontal direction, then the motor structure is simplified, but the distance between the differential axis and motor axis becomes large, making it difficult for oil to reach the motor shaft
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement from a linear horizontal sequence to a three-dimensional configuration where the intermediate axis is positioned vertically below the motor axis. This vertical offset creates a shorter horizontal distance for oil flow while maintaining the sequential functional arrangement, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and reliable oil supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate gear and its axis serve as a spatial intermediary that bridges the motor and differential. By positioning the intermediate axis vertically below the motor axis and horizontally between the motor and differential, it creates an efficient oil flow path without requiring the differential to directly supply oil across a large horizontal distance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the differential is positioned far from the motor, then the motor and differential can be independently designed, but the oil scraped up by the differential cannot be easily fed to the motor shaft
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension to the spatial arrangement, positioning the intermediate axis below the motor axis. This creates a compact horizontal footprint that facilitates easy oil feeding from the differential to the motor shaft, while still allowing independent design of each component through standardized mounting interfaces.
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 enables efficient lubrication and cooling of the motor and reduction gear, improving the motor's performance by ensuring consistent oil distribution and reducing the risk of oil starvation at the gear surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
an oil passage to lead the oil from the vertically lower region of the housing space to be fed to the motor
Data Source
AI summary
A motor unit includes a motor including a rotor, a reduction gear including an intermediate gear to rotate about an intermediate axis, a differential including a ring gear arranged to rotate about a differential axis, a housing, oil in a vertically lower region of a housing space, and an oil passage to feed the oil to the motor. At least a portion of the ring gear is lower than a liquid surface of the oil in the vertically lower region of the housing space. A motor axis, the intermediate axis, and the differential axis to extend in parallel with one another in a horizontal direction. Each of the intermediate axis and the differential axis is lower than the motor axis. A line segment imaginarily joining the motor axis and the intermediate axis, a line segment imaginarily joining the intermediate axis and the differential axis, and a line segment imaginarily joining the motor axis and the differential axis when viewed in an axial direction of the motor axis are defined as first, second, and third line segments, respectively. The first line segment extends substantially along a vertical direction. The second line segment extends substantially along a horizontal direction.