Vehicle Drive Layout With Parallel Axes for Compact Radial Packaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drive devices for vehicles face challenges in downsizing the radial dimension due to interference between components with varying diameters, hindering efficient space utilization.

Innovation Solution

A drive device configuration featuring a rotating electric machine, planetary gear mechanism, and differential gear mechanism, where the components are arranged on parallel axes with specific diameter relationships, allowing for a gradual decrease or increase in radial dimension to minimize inter-axis distance and interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the rotating electric machine and transmission gear mechanism are disposed separately on both sides of the transmission output gear in the axial direction, then interference between components is avoided, but the radial dimension of the drive device increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference between componentsVSAvoidradial dimension

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a conventional layout where components are arranged side-by-side in the axial direction to a layout where components are stacked in the radial direction. The transmission output gear is positioned in the radial direction between the rotating electric machine and the transmission gear mechanism, effectively utilizing the radial dimension to resolve spatial interference while maintaining compact axial length.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission output gear is nested in the radial direction within the space between the rotating electric machine and the transmission gear mechanism. This nested arrangement allows the transmission output gear to mediate the spatial relationship between the two larger components, enabling them to be positioned closer together in the axial direction without causing interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Length of moving object

If the differential input gear is disposed close to the transmission output gear on a second axis parallel to the first axis, then the axial dimension is reduced, but interference with other components may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaxial dimensionVSAvoidinterference between components

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the spatial conflict by utilizing the radial direction as an additional dimension for component placement. The differential input gear is positioned on a second axis that is offset in the radial direction from the first axis, allowing close axial spacing while preventing interference through radial separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS12539747B2Drive device for vehicle

Publication Date: 2026.02.03 AISIN CORP

AI summary

A second gear meshes with a first gear and is connected to an output member so as to rotate integrally with each other. A rotor, a planetary gear mechanism, and the first gear are disposed on a first axis in a described order from an axial first side toward an axial second side. A connecting member, a differential gear mechanism, and the second gear are disposed on a second axis parallel to the first axis in a described order from the axial first side toward the axial second side. The planetary gear mechanism has a smaller diameter than a rotating electric machine and a larger diameter than the first gear. The differential gear mechanism has a smaller diameter than the second gear and larger diameter than the connecting member.