Twin-Wheel Drive Module Mechanical Transmission
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing twin-wheel drive modules for heavy-duty vehicles, such as aircraft tractors, face inefficiencies and high maintenance costs due to complex hydrostatic drive units, which require costly repairs and maintenance, particularly in oil supply and hydraulic motor activation.
Innovation Solution
A twin-wheel drive module utilizing two traction motors with parallel motor shafts and aligned transmissions to drive vehicle wheels, allowing for a compact design with reduced maintenance needs, incorporating a central hydraulic cylinder for shock absorption and featuring a simple structure with spur and planetary gearing for efficient operation and low-cost construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a hydrostatic drive unit with hydraulic pumps and motors is used, then the drive module can power heavy-duty vehicles, but the system becomes complex requiring costly repairs and maintenance of oil supply and hydraulic motor activation systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex hydrostatic drive unit with hydraulic pumps and motors from the system. Instead, it uses a simplified mechanical drive system with an internal combustion engine directly connected to the wheel assembly through a differential mechanism, removing the need for hydraulic fluid supply systems and hydraulic motor activation mechanisms while maintaining the capability to power heavy-duty vehicles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the hydrostatic mechanical system (hydraulic pumps and motors) with a direct mechanical drive system. The internal combustion engine connects through a differential mechanism to drive the wheels mechanically, substituting the hydraulic transmission path with a direct mechanical power transmission path that eliminates complex hydraulic components
2Ease of operation
If a hydrostatic drive unit with oil supply and hydraulic motor activation is used, then the vehicle can be driven, but repair and maintenance costs become very high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the hydraulic motor activation system and oil supply infrastructure from the drive unit. The simplified mechanical drive system with direct engine connection and differential mechanism eliminates components that require specialized maintenance, thereby reducing repair and maintenance costs while preserving full vehicle drivability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simpler mechanical system with fewer critical components that are easier and cheaper to replace or repair. The direct mechanical drive eliminates expensive hydraulic seals, hoses, and activation mechanisms that typically require costly maintenance, making the system more economical for heavy-duty applications
3Reliability
If the motor shafts are disposed at a distance from the axes of rotation to create space for central hydraulic cylinder, then shock absorption is enabled, but the transmission system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the shock absorption function directly into the wheel assembly structure through the differential mechanism. The offset connection of the drive shaft to the wheel hub, combined with the differential's inherent mechanical properties, provides shock absorption capability without requiring a separate central hydraulic cylinder system, thereby maintaining reliability while simplifying the overall transmission system
Data Source
AI summary
A twin-wheel drive module for driving two vehicle wheels which are disposed spaced axially from one another and rotatable around two axes of rotation aligned with one another. For driving each vehicle wheel, provision is made for a traction motor having a motor shaft disposed in parallel to the axes of rotation, a transmission having an input shaft which is connected to the motor shaft of the traction motor and an output shaft in alignment with the axes of rotation, and a second transmission. The second transmission has an input shaft, which is connected to the output shaft of the first transmission, and an output shaft which rotates around a common axis of rotation with the input shaft configured to receive the vehicle wheel.