Articulated Rigid Axle Bevel Gear Layout for Axis Offset Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of an electric machine as a drive in an articulated rigid axle requires a transmission ratio stage, increasing the axial offset and necessitating additional fitting space, which is inefficient and space-consuming.
Innovation Solution
An articulated rigid axle with an axle bridge and electric machine, utilizing a bevel gear transmission stage to compensate for the axis offset between the wheel and drive axles, allowing for a sufficient gear ratio within the existing space, integrated with bevel gear wheels and roller bearings for a robust bearing arrangement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a transmission ratio stage is added to increase drive torque, then the required gear ratio is achieved, but the axial offset increases and fitting space is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional parallel shaft arrangement to a bevel gear configuration where the drive shaft and wheel shaft are arranged at an angle to each other. This dimensional change allows the transmission ratio stage to be integrated without increasing axial offset in the original direction, as the gear transmission now operates in a different spatial orientation, effectively utilizing the angular dimension to resolve the space constraint.
Solution Approach 2:
The bevel gear transmission stage merges the functions of torque multiplication and axis angle compensation into a single integrated component. Rather than adding a separate transmission stage that would increase axial offset, the bevel gear combines gear ratio achievement with angular alignment, eliminating the need for additional space-consuming components.
2Power
If drive output shafts are arranged at an oblique angle to achieve gear ratio, then sufficient final gear ratio is produced, but additional axis separation is created
Solution Approach 1:
The bevel gear acts as an intermediary element between the drive shaft and the wheel shaft. It mediates the angular mismatch by transforming the rotational motion from one axis orientation to another, allowing the drive output shafts to be arranged at an oblique angle for gear ratio achievement while the bevel gear compensates for the resulting axis separation, preventing it from translating into increased fitting space requirements.
3Volume of moving object
If bevel gear transmission stage is used to compensate axis offset, then space is saved, but complex bearing arrangement is required
Solution Approach 1:
The bevel gear transmission stage is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the necessary gear ratio, compensates for axis offset, and integrates with a bearing arrangement that supports both the drive shaft and wheel shaft. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby saving space despite the inherent complexity of bevel gear bearings.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing arrangement is nested within the bevel gear transmission stage structure. The rollers and bearing components are integrated into the gear assembly, with inner and outer rollers positioned within the bevel gear housing. This nesting allows the bearing system to occupy the same spatial envelope as the gear transmission, minimizing additional space requirements while supporting the complex bearing arrangement.
Data Source
AI summary
An articulated rigid axle of a vehicle (1) with an axle bridge (2) has at least one electric machine as drive, where the at least one electric machine is connected via at least one gear ratio step to at least one drive output shaft (3, 4). A steered vehicle wheel (7, 8) is mounted to rotate is connected to each drive output shaft (3, 4). The gear ratio step is in the form of a bevel gear transmission stage (9, 10) for compensating an axis offset between a wheel axis (11) of the vehicle wheels (7, 8) and a drive axle (12) of the electric machine. In addition, a vehicle (1) with at least one rigid axle is proposed.