Propeller Shaft Drivetrain With Decoupling Mechanisms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electric-motor four-wheel drive vehicle technologies face challenges in achieving performance equivalent to internal combustion engine vehicles due to the lack of a propeller shaft, which hinders efficient driving force redistribution and increases cost and volume, especially when dealing with wheel slip on rough roads.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a propeller shaft with differential mechanisms and decoupling mechanisms controlled by a controller, allowing efficient power transmission between front and rear wheels using two electric motors, enabling torque distribution and regenerative charging with reduced weight and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a propeller shaft is not used in electric-motor four-wheel drive vehicles, then the device complexity and weight are reduced, but the efficiency of driving force transmission and redistribution is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power transmission system into multiple independent paths: one path transmits power from the electric motor through the propeller shaft to both front and rear wheels, while another path allows direct power transmission to the front wheels. This segmentation enables flexible power distribution and improves transmission efficiency without requiring a completely complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The propeller shaft acts as an intermediary component that connects the electric motor to both front and rear wheels. By introducing this intermediary element, the system achieves efficient power redistribution between wheels while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and transmission efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If decoupling mechanisms are added to enable independent control of front and rear wheel power, then the adaptability and torque distribution capability are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The decoupling mechanisms are designed to be dynamically controllable, allowing the system to switch between coupled and decoupled states based on driving conditions. This dynamic capability enables flexible torque distribution to handle various road conditions and wheel slip scenarios while keeping the mechanism structure relatively simple through intelligent control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electric motors are used to drive front and rear wheels independently, then the regenerative charging capability and adaptability are improved, but the cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electric motor is designed to perform multiple functions: it can drive both front and rear wheels through the propeller shaft, enable independent front wheel drive when needed, and function as a generator for regenerative charging. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate motors for each function, thereby reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining high adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A driving device of an electric-motor four-wheel drive vehicle includes a propeller shaft, a first differential mechanism, a second differential mechanism, a first decoupling mechanism, a second decoupling mechanism, a first motor, and a second motor. The propeller shaft transmits power between front wheels and rear wheels. The first differential mechanism is disposed in a drive shaft of the front wheels. The second differential mechanism is disposed in a drive shaft of the rear wheels. The first decoupling mechanism decouples the first differential mechanism from the propeller shaft. The second decoupling mechanism decouples the second differential mechanism from the propeller shaft. The first motor is coupled to the propeller shaft via a part closer to the front wheels than the first decoupling mechanism or a part closer to the rear wheels than the second decoupling mechanism. The second motor is coupled between the first and second decoupling mechanisms.