Planetary Drive Unit With Spring-Engaged Clutches
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transmission devices in vehicles require hydraulic pressure to switch clutches, leading to increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A drive unit incorporating an electric motor, planetary gear mechanism, and clutches that utilize urging members to engage and disengage without hydraulic pressure, reducing energy consumption by controlling clutch states through mechanical means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydraulic pressure is used to actuate clutches for gear shifting, then reliable clutch engagement and disengagement is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic actuation system with a mechanical spring-based urging member system. The urging members (springs) provide the necessary force to engage and disengage clutches mechanically, eliminating the need for hydraulic pressure and associated energy consumption while maintaining reliable clutch operation
Solution Approach 2:
The urging members are designed to automatically engage and disengage clutches based on rotational speed and load conditions without requiring external hydraulic control. The system self-regulates clutch states through the mechanical properties of the springs and centrifugal forces, reducing energy consumption by eliminating continuous hydraulic pump operation
2Ease of operation
If hydraulic pressure control system is implemented for clutch switching, then precise gear ratio switching is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex hydraulic control system is replaced with a simpler mechanical system using urging members (springs) and centrifugal elements. The gear switching precision is maintained through the mechanical design of the urging members that automatically respond to rotational speed changes, eliminating the need for complex hydraulic valves and pressure control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The clutch switching system operates autonomously based on the rotational speed of the output shaft. The urging members automatically engage or disengage clutches according to pre-determined speed thresholds, eliminating the need for complex electronic control systems or hydraulic pressure regulation mechanisms while maintaining precise gear ratio transitions
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
Reduces energy consumption by eliminating the need for hydraulic actuation of clutches, enabling efficient gear shifting and smooth transitions between low-speed and high-speed travel modes.
Implementation Method 1
The first urging member urges the second clutch to turn the second clutch to an engaged state
Implementation Method 2
The first clutch is a centrifugal clutch. The first clutch includes a centrifugal element and an engaged groove
Implementation Method 3
The first clutch further includes a magnet. The magnet is disposed radially inside the centrifugal element and attracts the centrifugal element by a magnetic force
Data Source
AI summary
A drive unit includes an electric motor, a planetary gear mechanism, an input member, an output member, a first clutch, a stationary member, a second clutch, and a first urging member. The planetary gear mechanism includes a sun gear, a planet gear, a ring gear, and a planet carrier. The input member couples the electric motor and either the ring gear or the sun gear to each other. The output member is coupled to the planet carrier. The first clutch selectively couples/decouples the input member and the output member. The second clutch selectively couples/decouples the stationary member and the other of the ring gear and the sun gear. The first urging member urges the second clutch to turn the second clutch to an engaged state.