Planetary Gear Drive with Resistor Braking for Clutchless Starting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clutch mechanisms in vehicle drive systems are heavy, expensive, and consume more fuel due to heat generation during starting, and they occupy significant space. Additionally, hybrid vehicles reliant on energy storage for starting may fail if the storage is out of operation.
Innovation Solution
A drive system utilizing a planetary gear connected to both a combustion engine and an electric machine, where the electric machine is connected to an electric circuit with a resistor to provide a braking moment for starting, allowing the vehicle to start even without a functional energy storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional clutch mechanism is used to disconnect the input shaft from the combustion engine during gear changing, then gear shifting is enabled, but fuel consumption increases and clutch discs wear due to heating from sliding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical clutch mechanism with an electric machine that provides braking moment through electromagnetic forces. The electric machine connects the combustion engine to the gear box, eliminating the need for friction-based clutch discs while enabling smooth gear transitions without energy loss from sliding friction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by controlling the electric machine's rotation speed in a stepless manner. This allows precise control of the input shaft speed to match required gear engagement conditions, enabling gear shifting without the energy-wasting sliding friction inherent in conventional clutch mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If a conventional clutch mechanism is used for gear changing, then gear shifting is enabled, but the clutch mechanism becomes heavy and occupies large space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the heavy mechanical clutch assembly with a more compact electric machine system. The electric machine's electromagnetic braking mechanism provides the same gear-shifting function with significantly reduced weight and smaller spatial requirements, as it eliminates the need for large friction discs and complex mechanical actuation systems.
3Ease of operation
If a hydraulic moment converter is used for power transmission, then smooth power transfer is achieved, but energy losses occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic moment converter with an electric machine that provides direct electromagnetic coupling between the combustion engine and gear box. This substitution eliminates the energy losses inherent in hydraulic fluid circulation and mechanical friction while maintaining smooth power transfer through precise electronic control of the electric machine's braking moment.
4Reliability
If a hybrid system with energy storage is used for vehicle starting, then starting capability is improved, but the system becomes dependent on energy storage functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an electric machine as an intermediary component between the combustion engine and gear box. This electric machine can provide braking moment to enable vehicle starting without requiring a separate energy storage system, as it directly controls the power transmission and can generate the necessary braking force through electromagnetic forces alone.
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 enables the vehicle to start reliably and efficiently, reducing fuel consumption and wear on components, while also allowing the vehicle to be driven to a repair location if the energy storage is faulty.
Implementation Method 1
the electric machine is connected to an electric circuit with a resistor. Thereby a resistance is created which brakes the rotor and the third component of the planetary gear
Implementation Method 2
The planetary gear comprises a first component which is connected to an output shaft of the combustion engine, a second component which is connected to an input shaft to the gear box and a third component which is connected to a rotor of an electric machine
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The present invention concerns a drive system and a method of driving a vehicle (1). The drive system comprises a combustion engine (2) with an output shaft (2a) which is connected to a first component (10) of a planetary gear, a gear box (3) with an input shaft (3a) which is connected to a second component (12) of the planetary gear and an electric machine is connected to a third component (11) of the planetary gear. The drive system comprises an electric circuit (21) with a resistor (22) and an electric switch (23) with which the electric machine (9) is connectable to the electric circuit (21) and the resistor (22) during at least a starting process of the vehicle (1).