Timing Cover for Hybrid Powertrain Compactness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hybrid engine configurations face challenges such as increased radial size, efficiency limitations due to belt or chain transmissions, and complexity in the connection between the heat engine and electric motor.
Innovation Solution
The electric machine is arranged vis-à-vis the distribution face of the heat engine, separated by a distribution housing, which allows for a sealing of the electric motor and fixes it on the housing. This configuration reduces the transverse footprint of the powertrain and simplifies the connection between the two engines through a reversible rotation link and a tubular part with grooves for easy coupling and decoupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the electric machine is arranged against the wall of the heat engine, then the connection between the two motors is simplified, but the radial size of the assembly increases considerably along the transverse axis
Solution Approach 1:
The electric machine is repositioned from a transverse arrangement (against the side wall) to a longitudinal arrangement (at the end along the extension of the longitudinal axis). This dimensional change moves the electric machine from the transverse direction to the longitudinal direction, reducing the transverse footprint while maintaining connection simplicity through the timing case interface.
2Ease of manufacture
If a belt drive is used to connect the electric motor to the crankshaft, then the installation is simplified, but the transmission efficiency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The belt drive system is replaced with a direct gear mesh connection between the crankshaft gear and the actuating gear of the electric machine. This substitution eliminates the intermediate belt transmission, thereby eliminating energy losses associated with belt friction and slip, while maintaining installation simplicity through the integrated timing case mounting.
3Device complexity
If the electric machine is arranged on the transmission face side of the thermal engine, then the connection is simplified, but the transverse size of the powertrain increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electric machine is relocated from the transmission face side (transverse direction) to the end of the thermal engine along the longitudinal axis. This repositioning in another dimension (from transverse to longitudinal arrangement) reduces the transverse envelope of the powertrain while keeping the connection simple through the timing case interface.
4Volume of moving object
If an epicyclic gear train is used to connect the thermal engine to the electric motor, then the compactness is improved, but the transmission efficiency decreases and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex epicyclic gear train is extracted and replaced with a simple direct gear mesh connection. This extraction removes the unnecessary intermediate transmission stages, thereby eliminating energy losses in the gear train while maintaining compactness through the direct coupling of the crankshaft gear with the electric machine's actuating gear via the timing case.
Data Source
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AI summary
Motor vehicle powertrain arrangement comprising a heat engine having a rotating shaft holding a drive gear (21) fixed in rotation with an actuation system (10) disposed at the end of an actuation arm (15) of an electric machine (14), said shaft and said actuation shaft being substantially parallel, characterized in that the electric machine (14) is arranged opposite the distribution face of the heat engine.