Hybrid Drive Rotor Support Structure for Bearing Wear Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hybrid drive devices experience wear at the fitting portions of ball bearings due to deflection of the input member, leading to inadequate support of the rotor support member and increased bearing size.

Innovation Solution

The hybrid drive device incorporates a rotor support member with an annular member facing an extended end wall portion of the case, featuring a first and second tubular portion, and radial bearings disposed between the transmitting shafts and these tubular portions, creating a clearance that isolates the rotor support member from deflection-induced stresses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the ball bearing is press-fitted into the support wall portion or tubular portion to support the rotor support member, then the rotor support member is supported in the radial direction, but wear occurs at the fitting portion due to deflection of the input member

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport reliabilityVSAvoidwear at fitting portion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a radial bearing as an intermediary component between the input member and the rotor support member. This radial bearing absorbs the deflection-induced stresses and isolates the ball bearing from direct contact with the deflecting input member, thereby preventing wear at the ball bearing's fitting portion while maintaining radial support functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the support function into two distinct components: the radial bearing handles the deflection and radial support of the input member, while the ball bearing exclusively provides radial support for the rotor support member. This segmentation prevents the transmission of deflection-induced wear to the ball bearing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If the ball bearing supports the rotor support member directly, then the structure is simpler, but the deflection of the input member increases the load on the ball bearing and requires larger bearing size

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidload on ball bearing
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The radial bearing serves as a mediator that absorbs and isolates the deflection-induced loads from the ball bearing. By placing the radial bearing between the input member and the rotor support member, the ball bearing is protected from excessive loads caused by input member deflection, allowing for a smaller bearing size while maintaining structural support

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 configuration effectively reduces the load on the outer side radial bearing, enhances durability, and allows for a smaller bearing size, thereby improving the overall performance and cost-effectiveness of the hybrid drive device.

Implementation Method 1

an inner side radial bearing is disposed between the first transmitting shaft and an inner peripheral surface of the first tubular portion of the end wall portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadial bearing support: Ball Bearing

Implementation Method 2

an outer side radial bearing is disposed between an outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion of the annular member and an inner peripheral surface of the second tubular portion of the end wall portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadial bearing support: Ball Bearing

Data Source

PatentEP3885176B1Hybrid drive device
Publication Date: 2025.04.16 AISIN CORP
  • EP3885176B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3885176B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3885176B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a hybrid drive device, rotor support member (40) includes an annular member (50) that faces an end wall portion (88) of a case (8). The end wall portion (88) includes a first tubular portion (881) transmission, and a second tubular portion The annular member (50) includes a tubular portion (51). An inner side radial bearing (Br1) is disposed between a first transmitting shaft (141) and an inner peripheral surface of the first tubular portion (881). A clearance (a) is formed between an outer peripheral surface of the first tubular portion (881) and an inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion (51) of the annular member (50). An outer side radial bearing (Brf) is disposed between an outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion (51) of the annular member (50) and an inner peripheral surface of the second tubular portion (882)