Rotatable In-Wheel Drive Assembly for Continuous 360° Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle drive systems are inadequate for driverless vehicles, particularly in terms of maneuverability, safety, and urban driving dynamics, as they do not allow for continuous 360-degree steering and impose stress on mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, or pneumatic interfaces.
Innovation Solution
A drive arrangement featuring an in-wheel electric motor with a rotatable interface that enables continuous 360-degree steering without stressing mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, or pneumatic resources, while providing resources for the motor, suspension, and braking systems, using a cog wheel configuration and interfaces for power and fluid distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional vehicle drive systems are used, then the vehicle structure is simple, but the steering angle is limited and maneuverability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the drive motor and steering mechanism into an integrated in-wheel motor assembly. The motor shaft directly connects to the wheel hub, and the steering mechanism is incorporated within the same assembly, allowing both propulsion and steering functions to be performed by a single integrated unit. This merging enables continuous 360-degree steering capability while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The in-wheel motor serves multiple functions: it provides both drive torque for propulsion and steering torque for direction control. The single motor unit can operate in different modes - driving mode for forward motion and steering mode for angle adjustment - eliminating the need for separate steering mechanism and achieving versatile vehicle control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a rotatable interface is added to enable continuous rotation, then maneuverability is improved, but stress is applied to mechanical, electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable interface is divided into separate functional segments: a mechanical rotation joint for continuous angular movement, an electrical slip ring system for power transmission, and fluid coupling mechanisms for hydraulic/pneumatic connections. Each segment handles specific aspects of rotation independently, distributing the mechanical stress and preventing overload on any single interface component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary components such as slip rings for electrical connections and flexible couplings for mechanical power transmission. These intermediaries allow continuous rotation while maintaining stable connections, acting as buffers that protect the main drive system from stress during rotational movements.
3Volume of moving object
If in-wheel electric motors are used, then space utilization is improved, but providing resources to multiple systems becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the drive motor, steering mechanism, suspension components, and braking systems into a single integrated in-wheel assembly. All these subsystems share common mounting structures and are positioned around the wheel hub, eliminating the need for separate mechanical linkages and reducing overall vehicle space requirements while consolidating resource distribution pathways.
Data Source
AI summary
A drive arrangement for a vehicle, the drive arrangement comprising a rotatable interface arranged to be mounted to the vehicle, wherein the rotatable interface is rotatably coupled to a mounting arm to allow continuous rotation of the mounting arm in a clockwise and anti clockwise direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal and transverse axis of the vehicle; and a first electric motor having a stator and a rotor, wherein the stator is coupled to the mounting arm to allow the axis of the rotor to be substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of the rotatable interface, wherein the rotor is arranged to be coupled to a wheel of the vehicle to allow the electric motor to provide drive torque to the wheel.