Robotic Power Assembly with Differential and Water Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current robotic platforms for autonomous driving collision tests face challenges with high structural height, inadequate heat dissipation, and poor reliability under extreme conditions of high-speed collision and rolling, due to rigid motor coupling and lack of effective cooling systems.
Innovation Solution
A power assembly for a robotic platform featuring a motor, transmission mechanism, suspension, and water jackets with a non-screw mounting design and active cooling system, where the motor is housed in a compact assembly with a transmission mechanism and suspension that allows upward and downward rotation, and a dual water jacket system for efficient heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a dual motor structure is used to meet power requirements, then system power is improved, but rigid coupling of output shafts causes high transmission heat and low efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
A differential mechanism is introduced as an intermediary between the single motor and wheels. The differential mechanism includes a pinion gear, crown gears, and a connecting rod that transfers power to both wheels independently, eliminating the need for rigid coupling of motor output shafts and reducing transmission heat while maintaining system power.
2Power
If motor size is increased to provide sufficient power, then power output is improved, but heat dissipation becomes difficult under high temperature conditions
Solution Approach 1:
A water cooling system is pre-installed around the motor, consisting of a water tank and water channels. Water is pumped through these channels to absorb heat from the motor during operation, preventing overheating before it occurs and enabling continuous operation under high temperature conditions.
3Reliability
If the robotic platform height is reduced to meet safety requirements, then test safety is improved, but structural space for power assembly is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The power assembly adopts a horizontally extended layout rather than vertical stacking. The motor, transmission mechanism, and water cooling system are arranged horizontally within the limited space, maximizing utilization of available volume while maintaining the low profile required for test safety.
4Productivity
If continuous operation at high speed is required, then productivity is improved, but heat accumulation increases and continuous working capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The water cooling system operates continuously during high-speed operation, with water constantly circulating through the water channels to absorb and remove heat. This continuous cooling action maintains motor temperature within acceptable ranges, enabling sustained high-speed operation without heat accumulation limiting productivity.
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 design reduces the structural height, enhances reliability and stability, prevents structural overload, and ensures continuous operation under high-temperature conditions by using a dual redundant braking system and efficient heat dissipation, improving the robotic platform's performance in extreme tests.
Implementation Method 1
a dual water jacket system for efficient heat dissipation
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a power assembly for a robotic platform for a Global Vehicle Target (GVT) of autonomous driving. The power assembly includes an assembly housing, a motor, a transmission mechanism, a standby brake, a suspension and wheels, where when the power assembly is in use, a driving force output by the motor is transmitted to the wheels by means of the transmission mechanism, so as to drive the wheels to rotate, the standby brake is used for braking an output shaft of the motor, a top of the suspension supports the assembly housing, and when a load borne by the assembly housing changes, the suspension contracts or extends to drive the wheels to rotate upwards and downwards with a housing of the transmission mechanism as a swing arm and a rotating shaft of the motor as a swing arm rotation center.