Power-Split Axle Drive for Adjustable Axle Lead and Braking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power-split axle drives for agricultural vehicles are structurally complex and inefficient, with high speed and torque requirements for additional electric motors leading to inadequate torque transmission and poor braking capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A power-split axle drive system with a main drive element, additional drive elements, and a power-split transmission, featuring adjustable torque transfer via shafts and gear sets, including a clutch system for efficient torque and rotational movement distribution between vehicle axles, and a control device for regulating axle lead and braking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If additional electric motors are used to provide torque to the power-split transmission, then the drive capability is improved, but the device complexity and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power-split transmission serves multiple functions: it transmits torque from the main drive element to both vehicle axles, enables independent speed control of the first vehicle axle, and provides braking capability through the auxiliary drive element. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining improved drive capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the torque transmission path and the auxiliary drive path into a single integrated power-split transmission system. The auxiliary drive element is connected to the power-split transmission to superimpose rotational movement on the main drive element's rotational movement, merging multiple drive functions into one unified system rather than using separate independent systems.
2Power
If high speed and torque are required from auxiliary drive elements, then the drive performance is improved, but the torque transmission becomes inadequate due to system limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The power-split transmission acts as an intermediary mechanism between the auxiliary drive element and the vehicle axle. It superimposes the rotational movement of the auxiliary drive element onto the rotational movement of the main drive element, enabling effective torque transmission even when the auxiliary drive element operates at high speed with relatively low torque output.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the auxiliary drive element by allowing it to operate at high speed with lower torque, rather than requiring low speed with high torque. The power-split transmission converts this high-speed rotational movement into effective torque contribution through the superposition mechanism, thereby maintaining torque transmission effectiveness.
3Reliability
If the power-split transmission is used for braking, then the braking capability is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power-split transmission is designed to perform multiple functions including torque transmission to both axles, independent speed control of the first axle, and braking. By making the transmission system multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated braking systems, thereby improving braking capability without proportionally increasing structural complexity.
4Ease of operation
If the first vehicle axle speed is controlled by auxiliary drive, then the drivability and handling characteristics are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power-split transmission serves as an intermediary that enables independent speed control of the first vehicle axle through the auxiliary drive element. By superimposing rotational movements at the transmission level, the system achieves independent axle speed control without requiring complex separate control systems for each axle, thereby improving drivability while limiting complexity increase.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a power-split axle drive (20) for an agricultural vehicle (10), comprising a first auxiliary drive element (50), a first vehicle axle (26), a second vehicle axle (28), and a main drive element (22) for providing torque that can be transmitted to a main gearbox (24) via a first shaft (W1). The main gearbox (24) is connected to the second vehicle axle (28). The torque of the main drive element (22) drives at least the second vehicle axle (28) via the main gearbox (24). The power-split axle drive (20) includes a power-split gearbox (52), wherein the power-split gearbox (52) is connected to the second vehicle axle (28) and the main gearbox (24) via a first gear set (54) and to the first vehicle axle (26) via a second shaft.The first auxiliary drive element (50) can be connected to the power-split transmission (52) via a first switching element (56). The invention further relates to an agricultural vehicle (10) and a method for operating a power-split axle drive (20).