Parallel Drive Units for Compact Axle Integration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric drive devices for motor vehicles require significant installation space, limiting power and torque distribution, and making dual drives on an axle difficult, especially in smaller vehicle classes, with increased manufacturing costs and reduced luggage compartment space.
Innovation Solution
The drive device features two drive units arranged axis-parallel to each other, eliminating the need for a differential gear, allowing for separate wheel drive and torque distribution, with compact design and adaptable gear configurations for different vehicle types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electric drive units are installed on front and/or rear axles with transverse rotation axes, then the drive units can be mounted on wheel axles, but the installation space requirement increases and power/torque range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement by positioning drive units in alignment with each other (sharing the same transverse position) rather than distributing them across different transverse positions. This dimensional reorganization reduces the installation space footprint while maintaining the ability to mount on wheel axles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the installation positions of multiple drive units by arranging them in alignment, effectively combining their spatial footprint. This allows the drive units to share the same transverse space, reducing overall installation space requirements.
2Power
If additional installation space is provided for suitable transmissions, then power and torque range can be increased, but the load-through width in the luggage compartment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reorganizes the spatial layout by aligning drive units transverse to each other, which changes how transmission space is distributed. This allows powertrain components to be positioned in a configuration that provides necessary power range while preserving luggage compartment access and space.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dual drives on one axle are implemented with transverse axis arrangement, then torque vectoring can be realized, but the implementation becomes difficult and performance is lost in smaller vehicle classes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements torque vectoring by aligning drive units in the transverse dimension rather than using longitudinal separation. This dimensional change simplifies the mechanical arrangement and reduces implementation complexity while maintaining the torque vectoring functionality needed for smaller vehicle classes.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a drive unit (3) for a motor vehicle (1), comprising a first drive unit (5), a second drive unit (7), and a wheel axle (13) having a first partial axle (9) and a second partial axle (11), wherein the partial axles (9, 11) are arranged longitudinally (17) with respect to an axis of rotation (15) of the first partial axle (9) and/or the second partial axle (11) at least partially on opposite sides of the first drive unit (5) and the second drive unit (7), and wherein the first partial axle (9) is coupled to the first drive unit (5) and the second partial axle (11) is coupled to the second drive unit (7) in a torque-transmitting manner. It is provided that the first drive unit (5) and the second drive unit (7) are arranged parallel to each other.