Multi-Motor Drive Shaft Assembly for Redundant Gearbox Input
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft propulsion systems with a single electric motor are prone to failure and inefficient in meeting power demands, while dual motor systems introduce new complexities.
Innovation Solution
A motor assembly with a housing containing multiple radial flux motors and an integral one-piece drive shaft, supported by bearings and sealed with o-rings, which engages with a gearbox to provide redundant power and efficient energy transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single electric motor is used in the propulsion system, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability decreases and power demand efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple electric motors (typically three) into a single integrated propulsion unit with a common housing, shared control electronics, and a unified gearbox interface. This merging approach maintains reduced system complexity while achieving redundant power delivery, as any single motor failure does not cripple the entire propulsion system.
Solution Approach 2:
The propulsion system segments the power delivery function across multiple independent motor units within a single housing. Each motor can operate independently or in combination with others, allowing the system to maintain reliability through partial operation while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through integrated design.
2Device complexity
If a single electric motor is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the power demand efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple motor units are merged into a single integrated assembly with shared housing, mounting structures, and control electronics. This combining approach enables the system to meet high power demands through cumulative output from multiple motors while avoiding the complexity of managing completely separate motor systems.
3Reliability
If two or more motors are used in the propulsion system, then the reliability improves and power demand efficiency is met, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple motor units into a single consolidated assembly with common housing, shared mounting interfaces, and unified control electronics. This merging reduces the overall device complexity compared to having separate motor assemblies, while maintaining the reliability benefits of multiple independent power sources through their redundant configuration within the integrated unit.
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 provides a redundant power source, enhancing reliability and efficiency by ensuring continuous operation even if one motor fails, while allowing for differential thrust control and efficient energy transfer to the rotor assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of radial flux motors (302) disposed within the stack housing (301)
Data Source
AI summary
A motor assembly is described and includes a housing having a forward endplate and a rear endplate; a plurality of motors disposed within the housing; and a drive shaft driven by the plurality of motors and having a first end extending through the forward endplate of the housing and a second end extending through the rear endplate of the housing, wherein the first end of the drive shaft is configured to engage with a gearbox.