Split Axle Drive System with Overrunning Clutches for Traction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional drive systems for vehicles face traction issues during turns and uneven terrain due to differences in wheel spin rates and lack of stability, particularly in two-wheeled vehicles, which can lead to slippage and reduced control.
Innovation Solution
A drive system featuring a split axle with overrunning clutches coupled to a drive shaft, allowing power to be transmitted to the wheel spinning slowest, ensuring consistent traction and independent wheel rotation to manage varying speeds and terrain conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single axle with both wheels is used, then the structure is simple, but traction is lost when one wheel slips or loses contact
Solution Approach 1:
The single axle is divided into two separate axles, each independently supporting one wheel. This segmentation allows each wheel to be independently driven, ensuring that if one wheel loses traction, the other can still provide propulsion, thereby improving reliability without requiring a complex differential mechanism.
2Reliability
If both wheels are rigidly coupled to the drive shaft, then power transmission is efficient, but wheel slippage occurs on uneven terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system incorporates overrunning clutches that allow each wheel to rotate independently at different speeds. When terrain is uneven, the clutch on the wheel with better traction engages to receive power, while the other wheel can rotate freely or slip without dragging, dynamically adapting to terrain conditions and maintaining power transmission efficiency.
3Reliability
If inner and outer wheels are coupled to spin at the same rate, then the drive system is simple, but traction problems occur during turns
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel drive system is segmented into two independent drive units, each with its own connection to the drive shaft through overrunning clutches. This allows the inner and outer wheels to rotate at different speeds during turns, with the clutch mechanism automatically directing power to the wheel that needs it, improving traction without requiring a complex differential gear system.
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
The system enhances traction and stability by ensuring power is applied to the wheel with the most traction, allowing for smoother operation on uneven terrain and improved handling during turns, effectively addressing the limitations of traditional drive systems.
Implementation Method 1
An overrunning clutch is coupled between each axle section and the drive shaft
Data Source
AI summary
The present application is directed to a drive system. The drive system comprises a drive shaft and a driven wheel assembly. The wheel assembly includes a split axle coupled perpendicular to the drive shaft. An overrunning clutch is coupled between each section of the split axle and the drive shaft. A wheel is coupled to spin with each axle section. The wheels receive power from the drive shaft and are driven so that when power is applied from the drive shaft to the driven wheel assembly, whichever wheel that is spinning the slowest receives the power. The drive system may be incorporated into any number of vehicles to improve traction around turns, improve wheel slippage on uneven terrain and generates new options for how and where vehicles may be ridden.