Industrial Truck Drive-Steering Unit With Under-Bearing Motor Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive and steering units for self-propelled industrial trucks require a large amount of space, limiting installation options and obstructing the use of space that could be utilized for other components like batteries, and existing solutions with horizontally oriented drive motors increase the footprint and installation space further.
Innovation Solution
The drive motor is arranged below and perpendicular to the slewing ring bearing, with its axis of rotation, and the motor shield forms the upper cover of the gearbox housing, while the steering motor is integrated with the drive motor to share a common motor shield, reducing the overall height and space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the drive motor is mounted above the slewing ring bearing with sufficient vertical space, then the connection between drive motor and gearbox is simplified, but the overall height of the vehicle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive motor is inverted from the conventional position above the slewing ring bearing to below it. This inversion allows the motor to drive the wheel directly through the slewing ring bearing without requiring vertical space above, thereby reducing overall vehicle height while maintaining functional connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive motor is oriented perpendicular to the slewing ring bearing axis, changing from a vertical arrangement to a horizontal/radial arrangement. This dimensional change allows the motor to be positioned in the radial direction below the bearing, eliminating the need for vertical clearance and reducing the vehicle's overall height.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate mounting plates with drive motor and steering motor are used, then the components can be connected separately, but the mounting plate requires relatively large space that could be used for other purposes
Solution Approach 1:
The drive motor and steering motor are merged into a single integrated unit mounted on the vehicle chassis. The drive motor is positioned below the sleving ring bearing while the steering motor is mounted on the chassis, eliminating the need for a separate mounting plate and reducing the space required for component installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle chassis serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, mounting surfaces for both the drive motor and steering motor, and eliminates the need for a dedicated mounting plate. This multi-functional use of the chassis reduces the overall space requirement for housing all components.
3Ease of manufacture
If the sleving ring bearing has a larger opening for motor connection, then the drive motor can be connected to the inner ring, but the structural integrity and load-bearing capacity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The drive motor is extracted from the conventional position where it would require a large opening in the slewing ring bearing. By positioning the motor below the bearing and using the bearing's existing outer ring mounting structure, the need for large openings is eliminated, preserving the structural integrity and load-bearing capacity of the bearing.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a drive and steering unit 1 for vehicles, in particular industrial trucks, comprising at least one slewing ring bearing 2 for mounting on a vehicle chassis and accommodating at least one drive motor 3 with at least one gear stage. To enable the installation of a drive and steering unit that can be installed in a space-saving manner, the invention provides that the slewing ring bearing 2 is connected to the vehicle chassis in such a way that the drive motor 3 with at least one gear stage is arranged vertically below the slewing ring bearing 2 and the motor shield 12 of the drive motor simultaneously forms the upper cover of the gearbox housing.