Hub Motor Arrangement With Offset Motor for Lightweight Ride-Ons
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hub motor arrangements are too expensive and heavy for use in children's vehicles, making them unsuitable for providing a desirable operating experience at a reasonable cost.
Innovation Solution
A hub motor arrangement that incorporates a standard, commercially-available 'off-the-shelf' electric motor with a planetary gear transmission system, where the motor is positioned along the central axis and offset laterally to optimize space and reduce weight, allowing for a cost-effective and efficient drive system in small vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a custom or large electric motor arrangement is used in hub motors, then the power and performance are improved, but the weight and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the motor system into two separate components: a compact off-the-shelf motor and a planetary gear transmission system. This segmentation allows the motor to be small and lightweight while the gear system provides the necessary torque multiplication, resolving the contradiction between power output and motor weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The planetary gear system acts as an intermediary between the small motor and the wheel hub. It transmits and amplifies the motor's torque through gear ratios, enabling a lightweight motor to deliver the power needed for vehicle propulsion without requiring a large, heavy motor assembly.
2Power
If a custom or large electric motor arrangement is used in hub motors, then the power and performance are improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal planetary gear transmission design that can be paired with various standard off-the-shelf motors. This multi-functional approach allows the same gear system to work with different motor sizes and types, reducing development costs and enabling the use of inexpensive, readily available motor components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies the use of standard off-the-shelf motors that are inexpensive and readily available, replacing expensive custom-built motor arrangements. These commercial motors can be easily replaced if needed, reducing both initial manufacturing cost and long-term maintenance expenses.
3Volume of moving object
If the motor is positioned centrally on the axis of rotation, then the space utilization is optimized, but the lateral offset required for gear engagement creates design complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the motor housing with the planetary gear carrier, integrating two functional components into a single compact unit. This merging eliminates the need for separate mounting structures and reduces the overall volume while maintaining the lateral offset necessary for proper gear engagement between the sun gear and planet gears.
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 lightweight and cost-effective hub motor arrangement that offers equivalent power to traditional hub motors, with longer battery life and reduced weight, enabling efficient propulsion of small vehicles like electric scooters and bicycles.
Implementation Method 1
A sun gear is driven by a motor and drives the plurality of planet gears. A ring gear is driven by the plurality of planet gears. The ring gear drives the housing for rotation about the axis of rotation.
Data Source
AI summary
A ride-on vehicle, such as for a child, includes a vehicle body and one or more wheels that support the vehicle body relative to a surface. At least one of the wheels includes a hub motor arrangement that provides a drive torque for propelling the vehicle. The hub motor arrangement includes a housing defining an interior space. An axle or other mounting element(s) define an axis of rotation of the housing. Preferably, the axle or other mounting element(s) do not pass completely through the housing. A motor drives the housing through a transmission. Preferably, the motor is a standard, compact motor that is positioned on the axis of rotation and can be laterally offset from a central plane of the housing. In some embodiments, a traction element is carried directly by the housing.