Transmission Power Electronics Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

In motor vehicles, the lack of space in the transmission for power electronics necessitates separate installation in the vehicle, leading to long cable harnesses and the use of AC cables, which is disadvantageous for manufacturers and increases system complexity.

Innovation Solution

The power electronics and hydraulic transmission control unit are arranged tangentially and/or axially next to each other, allowing the power electronics to be integrated within the transmission housing or oil pan, eliminating the need for separate vehicle installation and reducing cable length to DC connections only.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If power electronics are installed separately in the vehicle, then installation space in the transmission is sufficient, but vehicle space is wasted and cable length increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission space utilizationVSAvoidcable harness length
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the power electronics with the transmission system by integrating them into the same housing structure. The power electronics are mounted on the transmission housing or oil pan, placing them in immediate proximity to the transmission components they serve. This eliminates the need for separate vehicle installation and大幅 reduces cable harness length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the three-dimensional space around the transmission by arranging power electronics in the tangential and axial directions relative to the transmission axis. This spatial arrangement allows integration without interfering with the central transmission components, effectively using available volume in previously underutilized dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If power electronics are integrated into the transmission, then cable length is reduced, but installation space becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable harness lengthVSAvoidtransmission space
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by designating specific zones within the transmission structure for power electronics installation. The power electronics are mounted on the transmission housing or oil pan surfaces, utilizing localized areas that do not interfere with the central transmission components. This allows integration while preserving the functional space needed for transmission operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If power electronics are placed far from the transmission, then transmission design is simplified, but system efficiency decreases due to long AC cable requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission design simplicityVSAvoidsystem efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the power electronics and transmission into a single integrated unit, eliminating the need for long AC cable connections. The power electronics are positioned immediately adjacent to the transmission components, enabling direct DC connections that significantly improve system efficiency by reducing resistive losses and eliminating the need for AC-to-DC conversion cables.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3500777B1Transmission for a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
  • EP3500777B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3500777B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3500777B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a transmission for a motor vehicle, comprising a hydraulic transmission control unit, a transmission housing, an oil pan, which is attached to the transmission housing, and a power electronics unit, which serves as a converter for an electric machine and is supported on the transmission housing and/or the oil pan. The transmission is characterized in that the hydraulic transmission control unit and the power electronics unit are arranged tangentially and/or axially adjacent to each other at least in some sections with respect to a transmission center axis.