Offset Electric Portal Wheel Hub for Ground Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Off-road vehicles face challenges in achieving increased suspension travel, clearance, and performance, particularly in desert racing, rock crawling, and four-wheel drive applications, where existing technologies fail to provide sufficient power and acceleration efficiently.
Innovation Solution
An electric portal wheel hub system with an offset electric motor configuration that provides direct or supplemental power to the wheel, offering increased ground clearance and torque, combined with a dual power source setup using an internal combustion engine and electric motor, allowing for customizable performance enhancements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If an electric motor is integrated into the wheel hub with vertical offset configuration, then ground clearance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electric motor, portal hub, differential, and wheel assembly into a single integrated wheel hub unit. The motor is positioned with its rotational axis vertically offset from the wheel centerline, merging powertrain functions directly at the wheel while achieving improved ground clearance without separate drivetrain components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces vertical offset between the motor rotational axis and wheel centerline, utilizing the vertical dimension to provide ground clearance benefits. This dimensional approach allows the motor to be positioned higher, clearing obstacles while still transmitting power to the wheel through the integrated gear mechanism.
2Speed
If electric motors are integrated into wheel hubs, then acceleration is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical drivetrain components (transmission, driveshaft, differential housing) with an electric motor directly integrated into the wheel hub. This substitution eliminates heavy mechanical powertrain elements while maintaining acceleration performance through direct electric drive, reducing overall system weight despite adding motor mass.
3Shape
If electric motor is offset from wheel axis, then ground clearance is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wheel hub assembly into distinct functional modules: motor mounting section, gear differential section, and wheel mounting section. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and assembled separately with standardized interfaces, reducing the cumulative precision requirements that would arise from attempting to machine the entire offset structure as a single piece.
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 electric portal wheel hub system enhances off-road vehicle performance by providing greater ground clearance, improved acceleration, and efficient energy recovery during braking, while maintaining a high weight-to-power ratio, enabling advanced vehicle dynamics and safety features like active yaw control.
Implementation Method 1
An electric motor may be coupled directly to a wheel or may be coupled through one or more gears
Implementation Method 2
The electric motor may act as a generator, such as when the electric motor is engaged to provide a braking torque to the wheel or when not required for providing torque to the wheel. The electric motor may provide a recharging supply of electricity to the battery to recharge the battery.
Implementation Method 3
The electric motor is coupled with an input gear that drives an output gear that in turn drives a stub axle
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical portal wheel hub system is coupled with a wheel and has an electric motor/generator, such as an axial flux motor configured therein and configured to provide power or torque to drive the wheel. The electric motor may be offset vertically from the rotational axis of the wheel to provide additional ground clearance. The electric motor may drive an input gear that is coupled with an output gear that in turns drives the wheel mount and wheel. The gearing ratio can be selected based on the application. A drive axle may from the vehicle may couple with the electric motor and the electric motor may be used to provide supplemental power to drive the wheels. The hub casing may provide mounts for the upper and lower A-arms as well as for a steering arm. The electric motor may act as a generator to charge a battery.