Swivel-Mounted Electric Drive Unit for Steerable Axle Turning Radius
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power trains with driven, steerable axles have limited maximum steering angles due to the design of drive shafts and articulation joints, restricting the turning radius of vehicles, especially in front-wheel drive systems.
Innovation Solution
The power train incorporates articulated drive shafts with wheel-proximal and wheel-distal joints, allowing for a swivel-mounted drive unit that can rotate relative to the vehicle body, enabling a larger turning angle by displacing the articulation points and utilizing electric motors for independent wheel control, eliminating the need for differential gears and reducing installation space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the drive unit is rigidly coupled to the vehicle body (as in combustion engine systems), then the precision required for other aggregates (such as exhaust system) is maintained, but the maximum steering angle and turning radius are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The drive unit is made dynamically movable through swivel mounting, allowing it to rotate about a swivel axis during steering operations. This dynamic configuration enables the articulation points to be displaced along circular paths, increasing the maximum steering angle while maintaining precise connections to other vehicle aggregates through the swivel mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling between the drive unit and vehicle body is segmented into multiple degrees of freedom: the drive unit can swivel about a swivel axis while maintaining operational connections. This segmentation allows independent movement for steering enhancement while preserving precision requirements for other aggregates
2Ease of operation
If the drive unit is swivel-mounted to allow larger turning angles, then the maximum steering angle and turning radius are improved, but the complexity of the drive system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The swivel mounting mechanism serves multiple functions: it enables the drive unit to rotate for increased steering angles, maintains operational connections during movement, and provides a standardized interface that can be integrated with existing electric motor systems. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components
Solution Approach 2:
The swivel mounting acts as an intermediary element between the rigid vehicle body and the movable drive unit. It mediates the transition from fixed to movable configuration, allowing smooth rotation while maintaining operational connections, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture compared to more complex flexible coupling solutions
3Reliability
If conventional combustion engine-based drive concepts are used, then vibration optimization through rubber mounts is achieved, but the drive unit cannot swivel within the suspension
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical vibration isolation system (rubber mounts) of combustion engines with an electric motor mounting system that prioritizes swivel capability. Electric motors generate less vibration, allowing the use of simpler mechanical mounts that enable rotation about the swivel axis while maintaining adequate vibration damping through alternative means
Data Source
AI summary
A power-train is provided for a driven, steerable axle of a motor vehicle. To reduce the size of the turning radius of the vehicle, the power train includes a left drive shaft that is fixedly connected in terms of drive to a left steerable wheel; a right drive shaft that is fixedly connected in terms of drive to a right steerable wheel; and a drive unit configured between the drive shafts for driving the drive shaft; the drive shafts being configured as articulated shafts, each having a wheel-proximal articulated joint and a wheel-distal articulated joint; and said articulated joints each having at least one axis of rotation with the same orientation for all articulated joints. The drive unit is designed for transmitting an electromotively generated torque to the drive shafts, and having a body suspension that allows the drive unit to rotate relative to the body about a swivel axis that extends in parallel to the axes of rotation having the same orientation.