Planetary Outrunner Motor Assembly for Flexible Torque-Speed Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
The development of electric motors for various vehicle applications is hindered by the need for motors tailored to specific torque, speed, and power requirements, leading to increased costs and time in the development and testing process.
Innovation Solution
An electric motor assembly combining outrunner electric motors with a planetary drive system, featuring a center gear and an annulus gear, allows for flexible torque and speed output by enabling the addition of motor power or torque depending on speed and direction of rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If motors are specifically designed for each application's torque, speed, and power requirements, then the motor performance is optimized for that application, but the development cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a single planetary gear assembly that can accommodate multiple different motor configurations. The assembly includes a sun gear, planet gears, and a ring gear that can work with various motor types and specifications, allowing one universal platform to serve multiple application-specific needs without requiring separate development for each motor variant
2Adaptability or versatility
If motors are specifically designed for each application's torque, speed, and power requirements, then the motor performance is optimized for that application, but the development cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The planetary gear assembly serves as a universal platform that can be manufactured once and used across multiple applications. By standardizing the gear assembly design with adjustable parameters, the patent reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining the ability to optimize performance for different applications through motor selection rather than complete redesign
3Speed
If high-speed motors are used to achieve high RPM output, then the speed capability is improved, but the torque output decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the gear ratio adjustable rather than fixed. The planetary gear assembly can be reconfigured to provide different ratios between the high-speed motor input and the output shaft, allowing the system to dynamically adapt between high-speed/low-torque and lower-speed/high-torque operating conditions based on application requirements
4Volume of moving object
If a compact motor assembly is created by placing motors inside the planetary gear assembly, then the overall size is reduced, but the gear tooth pressure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing the motors within the internal space of the planetary gear assembly. The motors are positioned inside the ring gear structure, utilizing the available volume efficiently. This nested arrangement reduces the overall assembly size while the gear design compensates for the increased tooth pressure through optimized tooth geometry and material selection
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
This configuration provides a compact, flexible, and efficient electrically powered drive shaft capable of producing a wide range of torque and speed outputs, suitable for various applications, while allowing for the use of plastic gears due to low pressure between gear teeth.
Implementation Method 1
A set of planetary gears, supported by a carrier, connects sun gear and ring gear, with the planet gear carrier providing an output shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A motor assembly including an annulus gear including an annulus gear body having a hollow cylindrical form, and a plurality of annulus gear teeth disposed on an inner surface of the annulus gear body; at least one first outrunner motor disposed in an interior of the annulus gear, the at least one first motor being arranged to drive the annulus gear; a carrier disposed at least partially in the interior of the annulus gear, the carrier including a plurality of carrier gears rotationally connected to the carrier body, the carrier gears being engaged with the annulus gear; a center gear disposed in the interior of the annulus gear, the carrier gears being engaged with the center gear; and at least one second outrunner motor disposed in the interior of the annulus gear, the at least one second motor being arranged to drive the center gear.