Height-Adjustable Traction Motor Mounting for Shaft Angle Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The positioning of electric traction motors in vehicles, particularly heavy-duty vehicles, faces challenges due to limited space along the chassis, and maintaining sufficient ground clearance while transmitting torque efficiently to the wheels is difficult, especially when adjusting ride height.
Innovation Solution
An electric traction motor arrangement with a height adjuster system that includes a mounting arrangement connected to the chassis, controlled by processing circuitry to maintain the angle of output shafts relative to the wheels within a predetermined range, using actuators or electric motors to adjust the motor's position vertically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the electric traction motor is positioned centrally on the chassis to transmit torque to the wheels, then the torque transmission capability is improved, but the ground clearance is reduced and space along the chassis is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting arrangement is made dynamically adjustable in the vertical direction through a height adjuster mechanism. This allows the electric traction motor to change its vertical position relative to the chassis, enabling it to maintain optimal torque transmission angles while adapting to different ground clearance requirements. The system transitions from a fixed position to a dynamically adjustable position, resolving the contradiction between torque transmission and ground clearance.
2Length of moving object
If the ride height of the vehicle is adjusted to an elevated position, then the ground clearance is improved, but the angle between the output shafts and wheel axles increases causing energy losses
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from distance sensors to detect the vertical distance between the chassis and wheel axles. Based on this feedback, the processing circuitry automatically controls the height adjuster to reposition the mounting arrangement, ensuring the output shaft angles remain within the optimal range. This closed-loop feedback mechanism eliminates energy losses by continuously adapting the motor position to maintain proper shaft alignment during ride height adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting arrangement dynamically adjusts its vertical position in response to ride height changes. When the vehicle ride height is elevated, the height adjuster automatically repositions the electric traction motor to compensate for the changed geometry, keeping the output shaft angles within the predetermined optimal range and preventing energy losses.
3Power
If the output shafts are positioned to connect the electric motor to the wheels, then the torque transmission is improved, but large shaft angles generate undesirable torque and force loads
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting arrangement's vertical position is dynamically adjusted to maintain optimal output shaft angles. By keeping the shaft angles within the predetermined range through active vertical positioning, the system prevents excessive torque and force loads on the output shafts while maintaining efficient torque transmission to the wheels.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an electric traction motor arrangement (100) for a vehicle, the electric traction motor arrangement comprising a mounting arrangement (206) attached to, and supporting, an electric motor system (101), a height adjuster (300) connected to the mounting arrangement and connectable to a chassis of the vehicle, and processing circuitry (502) configured to receive distance data of a vertical distance between a position on the chassis and a wheel axle of one of a first and second wheels, and control the height adjuster (300) to move the mounting arrangement (206) in a vertical direction in response to the vertical distance being outside a predetermined distance range such that an angle of the first and second output shafts (202, 204) relative to the corresponding wheel axle of the first and second wheels is within a predetermined angle range.