Selectively Movable Electric Propulsion Motor for Vehicle Powertrain Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electric propulsion motor designs in vehicles, positioned in a fixed horizontal plane, compromise cooling performance, ground clearance, aerodynamics, noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH), and turning performance.
Innovation Solution
A powertrain system with selectively movable electric propulsion motors, whose position can be adjusted based on sensor inputs using a motor actuator and control system, allowing for orientation in a substantially vertical direction and movement relative to the vehicle drive axle to optimize performance factors such as NVH, ground clearance, and aerodynamics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the electric propulsion motor is positioned in a fixed horizontal plane, then the motor mounting structure is simple, but the cooling performance and ground clearance are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The motor mounting system transitions from a fixed horizontal position to a dynamically adjustable configuration. The motor can be selectively positioned in multiple orientations (horizontal or vertical) and at different locations (front or rear of differential assembly) based on operating conditions such as cooling requirements, ground clearance needs, or aerodynamic considerations.
2Device complexity
If the electric propulsion motor is positioned in a fixed horizontal plane, then the mounting structure is simple, but the aerodynamics and NVH performance are negatively impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The motor mounting system allows dynamic repositioning between horizontal and vertical orientations, and between front and rear positions relative to the differential assembly. This enables optimization of aerodynamic flow patterns and noise vibration harshness characteristics based on vehicle operating conditions.
3Device complexity
If the electric propulsion motor is mounted in a fixed position, then the mechanical structure is simplified, but the turning performance and ground clearance are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The motor mounting system provides selective positioning capability where the motor can be located at different positions (front or rear of differential assembly) and in different orientations. This dynamic configuration optimizes turning performance by adjusting motor position relative to the vehicle's center of gravity and contact patches, while also maintaining adequate ground clearance.
Data Source
AI summary
A powertrain for a vehicle may include a vehicle chassis, a rotatable vehicle drive axle, at least one selectively movable electric propulsion motor having a rotatable motor shaft rotatable about an axis defined by the rotatable vehicle drive axle, a motor actuator connected to the at least one selectively movable electric propulsion motor, and a control system in communication with the motor actuator. The control system may include a memory device in communication with the control system having instructions that when executed by the control system causes the control system to receive at least one input from at least one sensor and instruct the motor actuator to rotate the at least one selectively movable electric propulsion motor based on the at least one input from the sensor.