Wheel Assembly Clutch and Brake Integration for Heavy-Duty Vehicles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Heavy-duty commercial vehicles designed for speeds up to 15 km/h lack a service brake, making them unsuitable for quick long-distance travel and requiring additional tractor units on uphill grades, and existing designs face challenges in accommodating additional components like clutches and brakes within the wheel carrier.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a clutch device that selectively interrupts power transmission between the drive unit and wheels at higher speeds, along with a service brake approved for speeds up to 80 km/h, and positioning the drive unit outside the wheel carrier to accommodate these components, while using a differential gear and separate clutches/brakes for each wheel to optimize space and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the drive unit is designed for speeds up to 15 km/h to maintain compatibility with existing self-propelled heavy duty vehicles, then the drive unit can be reused, but the rotating components become overloaded when operated at speeds above 15 km/h in passive trailing operation
Solution Approach 1:
A clutch device is introduced as an intermediary between the drive unit and the wheels. This clutch selectively interrupts or establishes the power transmission connection based on operating conditions. When operating in passive trailing mode at speeds above 15 km/h, the clutch disconnects the drive unit from the wheels, preventing overload while allowing the drive unit to be reused from existing self-propelled vehicles
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional components (clutch device and service brake) are added to the wheel carrier to enable operation on public roads, then the vehicle can operate at speeds up to 80 km/h, but there is insufficient installation space within the wheel carrier cavity
Solution Approach 1:
The drive unit is extracted from the wheel carrier cavity and mounted externally on the wheel carrier downstream in the driving direction. This relocation frees up significant installation space within the wheel carrier, allowing the clutch device and service brake to be accommodated inside the cavity while the drive unit operates from its external position
3Speed
If the vehicle is designed as a passive trailer vehicle to cover large distances quickly at speeds up to 80 km/h, then long-distance travel is enabled, but additional tractor units or pushing vehicles are required on uphill grades
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle is designed with dynamic capability switching through the clutch device. On flat terrain, it operates as a passive trailer at high speeds (up to 80 km/h). When approaching uphill grades, the clutch engages to activate the drive unit, transforming the vehicle into a self-propelled mode capable of negotiating inclines without requiring additional tractor units
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a commercial vehicle, in particular a heavy-duty vehicle, comprising a plurality of wheel assemblies mounted on a vehicle frame. At least one of the wheel assemblies comprises an elongate wheel carrier, a wheel at each of the longitudinal ends of the wheel carrier, a drive unit for driving the wheels, and a transmission device. According to the invention, the at least one wheel assembly further comprises a clutch device which selectively interrupts or establishes a power transmission connection between the drive unit and the wheels, and a brake device which is approved for the operation of the commercial vehicle on public roads up to speeds of more than 25 km/h.