Nested Electric Motor Gearbox for Compact Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle transmissions with electric motors often require significant installation space and higher construction costs due to inefficient arrangements of planetary gear sets, shifting elements, and electric motors, which limits their compactness and cost-effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
The transmission design optimizes the arrangement of planetary gear sets, shifting elements, and electric motors by positioning them in a nested configuration within the cylindrical volume of the electric motor, reducing overall length and allowing for a more compact, cost-effective structure with a multi-ratio automatic transmission capability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If planetary gear sets, shifting elements, and electric motors are arranged in a conventional configuration, then the transmission can achieve multi-ratio automatic transmission capability, but the installation space requirement increases and construction costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by positioning the first group of shifting elements and the main gear set within the cylindrical volume enclosed by the electric motor. The shifting elements are arranged in the annular space between the rotor and stator, while the main gear set is positioned in the central cylindrical space, effectively utilizing the motor's internal volume to reduce overall transmission size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the radial and axial dimensions of the cylindrical motor volume to arrange transmission components in three-dimensional space. The shifting elements are distributed radially in the annular region, while the main gear set occupies the axial central region, transforming a linear arrangement into a spatial configuration that reduces installation space.
2Adaptability or versatility
If planetary gear sets, shifting elements, and electric motors are arranged in a conventional configuration, then the transmission can achieve multi-ratio automatic transmission capability, but construction costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the transmission components with the electric motor structure by arranging the shifting elements and main gear set within the motor's cylindrical volume. This integration eliminates the need for separate housing structures and reduces the number of assembly operations, thereby lowering construction costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The cylindrical volume of the electric motor serves multiple functions: it provides the magnetic circuit structure, acts as a housing for the transmission components, and defines the spatial arrangement for the main gear set and shifting elements. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying manufacturing.
3Volume of stationary object
If the transmission components are arranged to reduce installation space, then compactness is improved, but the arrangement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns specific functions to specific regions within the cylindrical volume: the annular region between rotor and stator accommodates the first group of shifting elements, while the central axial region houses the main gear set. This localized arrangement simplifies the design by clearly defining component positions based on their functional requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A transmission includes an electric motor arranged between a drive shaft connection area and an output shaft connection area. The electric motor encloses a cylindrical volume. A first group of shifting elements is arranged adjacent to and axially along a drive shaft in the direction of the drive shaft connection area offset to the electric motor or is at least partially arranged within the cylindrical volume of the electric motor. Shift forks of the first group of shifting element actuators are arranged adjacent to and axially along the drive shaft in the direction of the drive shaft connection area offset to the first group of shifting elements. A main gear set is arranged at least partially within the cylindrical volume of the electric motor or adjacent to axially along the drive shaft in the direction of the output shaft connection area offset to the electric motor.