Integrated Planetary Gear Differential for Compact EV Drive

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drive devices for electric vehicles face challenges in achieving a balance between weight, installation size, and efficiency, particularly due to the separate requirements for manual transmission and differential components.

Innovation Solution

A drive device integrating a planetary gear mechanism with a differential, where the differential is embedded within the planetary gear mechanism, allowing for a compact and lightweight design with shared installation space, and enabling the selection of multiple gears to optimize motor operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate manual transmission and differential components are used, then functional reliability is improved, but installation space and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the manual transmission and differential into a single integrated unit where the planetary gear mechanism serves dual purposes. The ring gear of the planetary mechanism acts as the differential case, and differential gears are mounted on the planet carrier, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing installation space while maintaining functional reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The planetary gear mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides gear ratio changes through planet carrier movement while also serving as the differential housing. The ring gear structure is reused as the differential case, and the planet carrier supports both planetary gears and differential gears, maximizing component utilization and minimizing space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate manual transmission and differential components are used, then functional reliability is improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional reliabilityVSAvoiddrive device weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the manual transmission and differential into a single integrated unit where the planetary gear mechanism serves dual purposes. The ring gear of the planetary mechanism acts as the differential case, and differential gears are mounted on the planet carrier, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing installation space while maintaining functional reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The planetary gear mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides gear ratio changes through planet carrier movement while also serving as the differential housing. The ring gear structure is reused as the differential case, and the planet carrier supports both planetary gears and differential gears, maximizing component utilization and minimizing space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If planetary gear mechanism is used for manual transmission, then gear selection capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegear selection capabilityVSAvoidtransmission mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The planetary gear mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides gear ratio changes through planet carrier movement while also serving as the differential housing. The ring gear structure is reused as the differential case, and the planet carrier supports both planetary gears and differential gears, maximizing component utilization and minimizing space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11313446B2Drive device

Publication Date: 2022.04.26 MAGNA POWERTRAIN AG & CO KG

AI summary

A drive device for a motor vehicle, comprising a drive shaft, an at least two-speed manual transmission, a differential and a left and right output shaft, wherein the manual transmission is formed by a planetary gear mechanism, wherein the differential is integrated in the planetary gear mechanism.