Wheel Assembly Layout for Reduced Axial Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric vehicle wheel assemblies are bulky due to the arrangement of the wheel, electric motor, and reduction gear mechanism along the rotation axis, increasing the size in that direction.
Innovation Solution
The wheel assembly features a pair of drive assemblies that support the wheel from both sides, with motors and deceleration assemblies positioned in separate frames, allowing the rotation axes of the motors and deceleration assemblies to be parallel and outside the wheel in the radial direction, reducing the overall size along the rotation axis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the wheel portion, electric motor, and reduction gear mechanism are arranged in the direction along the rotation axis of the wheel portion, then the power transmission function is achieved, but the size of the wheel assembly in the direction along the rotation axis is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional axial arrangement (along the rotation axis) to a radial arrangement (perpendicular to the rotation axis). The electric motor and reduction gear mechanism are positioned radially outward from the wheel's rotation axis, with the motor's rotation axis extending radially. This dimensional change allows power transmission components to be distributed in the radial direction rather than accumulating along the axial direction, effectively reducing the wheel assembly's size along the rotation axis while maintaining power transmission functionality.
2Loss of energy
If the electric motor and reduction gear mechanism are positioned close to the wheel portion, then the power transmission efficiency is improved, but the structural complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the drive system into functionally independent modules: the electric motor, the reduction gear mechanism, and the wheel portion. Each module is positioned in a separate radial region and can be manufactured and assembled independently. The motor's output shaft connects to the reduction gear's input shaft through a simplified interface, allowing modular assembly while maintaining efficient power transmission. This segmentation reduces structural complexity compared to integrated designs while preserving power transmission efficiency.
3Length of moving object
If the wheel assembly size is reduced along the rotation axis, then the vehicle's overall dimensions are decreased, but the space for arranging power transmission components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the radial dimension (perpendicular to the rotation axis) to accommodate power transmission components that would otherwise require axial space. The electric motor and reduction gear mechanism are arranged in the radial direction, with their rotation axes extending radially outward from the wheel's center. This allows the components to be distributed in the radial direction, effectively transferring the space requirement from the axial dimension to the radial dimension, thereby reducing the wheel assembly's axial size while providing adequate space for all power transmission components.
Data Source
AI summary
A wheel assembly includes a wheel portion and a pair of drive assemblies opposing each other with the wheel portion interposed therebetween. One of the pair of drive assemblies includes a first motor and a first deceleration assembly. The other of the pair of drive assemblies includes a second motor and a second deceleration assembly. The first deceleration assembly includes a first input shaft connected to the first output shaft. The first rotation axis and the second rotation axis are parallel to the rotation axis of the wheel portion and disposed outside the wheel portion in the radial direction of the wheel portion. The first output shaft, the first input shaft, the second output shaft, and the second input shaft extend in a direction away from the wheel portion in a direction along the rotation axis.