Vehicle Engine and Transmission Case Layout Overlap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicles designed for rough terrain, such as ATVs and ROVs, face challenges in layout flexibility due to the integration of large engines and transmissions, which restricts space and increases system size, particularly when shift actuators are fixed to the engine or spaced apart, leading to longer components and reduced layout options.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle design where the engine case and transmission case are separated, with the transmission case housing a main shaft, drive shaft, and shift drum, and the shift actuator is connected to the transmission case, allowing for axial movement of gears and improved layout flexibility by overlapping the transmission case with the engine case, thus preventing the system from expanding in size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the engine and transmission case are made integral, then the structure is simplified, but the engine size increases and layout flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the power transmission system into separate engine case and transmission case components. The engine case houses the engine while the transmission case houses the transmission, allowing independent sizing and optimization of each component without requiring integration that would increase overall engine size.
2Device complexity
If the shift actuator is fixed to the engine, then the actuator positioning is simplified, but the engine size further increases and layout flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The shift actuator is extracted from the engine structure and relocated to the transmission case. This separation allows the actuator to be positioned optimally within the transmission case without increasing engine size, while still maintaining simplified positioning through direct attachment to the transmission case housing.
3Ease of operation
If the shift actuator is spaced apart from the transmission, then the actuator positioning is improved, but component length increases and system size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shift actuator and transmission case are merged into a single integrated assembly where the actuator is mounted directly on the transmission case. This combination allows the actuator to be positioned close to the transmission components it controls, minimizing component length while maintaining improved positioning relative to the transmission.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the transmission case and engine case are separated, then layout flexibility is improved, but the system may expand in size
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission case is positioned to overlap with the engine case in the longitudinal direction, creating a nested arrangement where the two cases share space. This nesting allows the separated cases to maintain layout flexibility while minimizing the overall system volume by utilizing the same spatial envelope.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a body frame, an engine, a transmission, a transmission case, and a shift actuator. The engine includes an engine case attached to the body frame, and a crankshaft supported by the engine case. The transmission case is spaced apart from the engine case, and houses the transmission. The shift actuator is connected to a shift drum of the transmission. At least a portion of the transmission case overlaps with the engine case as viewed along the axis of the crankshaft. The shift actuator is fixed to the transmission case.