Split Axle Vehicle Drive Unit Rigidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing vehicle drive units with electric motors and reduction gearing inside a wheel hub face challenges in supporting the weight of the vehicle and rider due to limited space and difficulty in centering the split axles, leading to a need for improved strength and assemblability.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle drive unit with a left-right split shaft design, featuring a cylindrical stator held by holding plates, a rotor with an output shaft, and reduction gearing supported by a bearing block, where the second holding plate includes a bearing holding portion to enhance rigidity and support the split-type axle, reducing the number of components and facilitating easy centering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the size of the support frame is increased to improve the strength for supporting the fixing support shaft, then the load-bearing capacity is improved, but the available space in the wheel hub is limited and the lid member size cannot be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple components: the support frame, the bearing block, and the bearing holding portion integrated into the second holding plate. This segmentation allows the load-bearing functions to be distributed across multiple elements rather than requiring a single large support frame, thereby maintaining strength while fitting within the limited wheel hub space.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing holding portion is integrated into the second holding plate, and the bearing block is positioned within the space defined by the support frame and holding plates. This nested arrangement allows multiple support elements to occupy overlapping or adjacent spaces efficiently, maximizing the use of available volume in the wheel hub while providing sufficient structural strength.
2Strength
If multiple extension parts supporting the axles are provided, then the strength to support the fixing support shafts is improved, but centering the split axles becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing holding portion is integrated directly into the second holding plate, merging the bearing support function with the holding plate structure. This integration reduces the number of separate extension parts needed for axle support, simplifying the centering process while maintaining the necessary strength through the combined structural elements of the holding plate and bearing block.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle drive unit includes an axle formed of an output shaft of a motor, and a first support shaft and a second support shaft arranged at both ends of the output shaft. A stator is held on a first holding plate and a second holding plate. The second holding plate and a bearing block form a carrier of planetary gears. The second holding plate includes a bearing holding portion. The second support shaft is supported on the bearing holding portion. The first support shaft is supported on the first holding plate. The output shaft is supported at one end on the first holding plate and the other end on the bearing holding portion.