Speed and Torque Manipulator for Prime Mover Drivetrain Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing prime movers face challenges in efficiently changing speed and torque to meet varying demands without optimizing fuel consumption, leading to complex drivetrain designs and the need for multiple drivetrain configurations for different operating torques.

Innovation Solution

A prime mover arrangement with a speed and torque manipulator, allowing for non-one-to-one ratio adjustments between input and output shafts, enabling flexible manipulation of speed and torque without altering the engine's operating conditions, using components like continuously variable transmissions, gear trains, or chain drives.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the engine speed and torque are changed to meet varying driveline demands, then the driveline can operate at different speeds and torques, but the fuel consumption increases and moves away from optimal operating conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriveline speed and torque variabilityVSAvoidfuel consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

A speed and torque manipulator is introduced as an intermediary device between the prime mover and the driveline. This manipulator includes variable ratio mechanisms that can independently adjust speed ratio and torque ratio, allowing the driveline to operate at various speeds and torques while the prime mover remains at its optimal operating point, thus resolving the contradiction between driveline adaptability and fuel consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Use of energy by moving object

If the engine operating range is lowered to improve fuel economy, then fuel consumption improves, but the drivetrain components must handle higher mean operating torques requiring new designs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel economyVSAvoidmean operating torque

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The torque transmission path is segmented into multiple independent variable ratio mechanisms within the speed and torque manipulator. This segmentation allows the torque to be progressively modified through multiple stages, enabling the prime mover to operate at lower speeds with higher torques while the manipulator distributes and manages these torques to protect drivetrain components from excessive loads

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If different drivetrain designs are provided for different operating torques, then each drivetrain can be optimized for its specific torque range, but the complexity of standardization decreases and multiple designs are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrivetrain optimizationVSAvoiddrivetrain design standardization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The speed and torque manipulator is designed as a universal device that can accommodate multiple prime movers with different operating characteristics. The manipulator's variable ratio mechanisms can be adjusted to match different prime mover torque curves, allowing a single standardized drivetrain design to work with various prime movers, thus achieving both optimization and standardization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Use of energy by moving object

If clutches and transmissions are designed to handle higher torques from lower speed engines, then fuel economy improves, but the complexity of these components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel economyVSAvoidclutch and transmission design

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The speed and torque manipulator serves as an intermediary that protects the clutch and transmission from excessive torques. By placing the manipulator between the prime mover and the clutch/transmission, high torques from low-speed operation are modified before reaching these components, allowing them to be designed for lower torque applications and reducing their complexity

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 solution allows for optimized fuel consumption and flexible drivetrain design, enabling the use of different prime movers with varying torques within a standardized drivetrain, reducing the complexity of changing speed and torque outputs while maintaining optimal engine operation.

Implementation Method 1

a speed and torque manipulator connected to the first shaft and to the second shaft, the speed and torque manipulator permitting manipulation of at least one non-one-to-one ratio allowing speed and torque of the second shaft to be different than that of the prime mover

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentUS10011282B2Prime mover arrangement and method for controlling speed and torque output of a prime mover arrangement

Publication Date: 2018.07.03 VOLVO TRUCK CORP

AI summary

A prime mover arrangement includes a prime mover (23) including a first shaft (25) driven by the prime mover, a second shaft (27), and a speed and torque manipulator (29) connected to the first shaft (25) and to the second shaft (27), the speed and torque manipulator permitting manipulation between at least one non-one-to-one ratio or a plurality of different input/output ratios of speeds and torques input by the first shaft and output to the second shaft. A method is also disclosed.