Toyota jidosha kabushiki kaisha (20240102546). DRIVE UNIT simplified abstract

DRIVE UNIT

Organization Name

toyota jidosha kabushiki kaisha

Inventor(s)

Hideaki Komada of Gotemba-shi (JP)

DRIVE UNIT - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 20240102546 titled 'DRIVE UNIT

Simplified Explanation

The abstract describes a drive unit for a vehicle that includes a motor, a planetary gear mechanism, a parallel gear, bearings supporting the gears, and a differential mechanism for power distribution.

• The drive unit consists of a motor, a planetary gear mechanism, a parallel gear, bearings, and a differential mechanism.
• The motor is connected to the sun gear of the planetary gear mechanism to input power.
• Power is distributed from the parallel gear to the pair of left and right wheels of the vehicle.
• Bearings support the carrier and the parallel gear, with one bearing on each side.
• The differential mechanism meshes with the parallel gear to distribute power effectively.

Potential Applications

The technology can be applied in electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and autonomous vehicles to efficiently drive the wheels and control power distribution.

Problems Solved

The drive unit solves the problem of effectively distributing power from the motor to the wheels of the vehicle while maintaining stability and control.

Benefits

The drive unit offers improved performance, efficiency, and control over power distribution in vehicles, leading to better overall driving experience and handling.

Potential Commercial Applications

The technology can be utilized in the automotive industry for various types of vehicles, including electric cars, hybrid vehicles, and autonomous vehicles, to enhance their drivetrain systems.

Possible Prior Art

Prior art may include similar drive units used in automotive applications, such as traditional differential mechanisms and gear systems.

How does this drive unit compare to traditional differential mechanisms in terms of efficiency and performance?

The drive unit's efficiency and performance compared to traditional differential mechanisms are not explicitly addressed in the abstract. Further research or testing may be needed to determine the specific advantages of this technology over traditional systems.

What are the potential maintenance requirements for this drive unit in comparison to standard automotive drivetrains?

The abstract does not provide information on the maintenance requirements of this drive unit. Understanding the maintenance needs and costs associated with this technology is crucial for assessing its long-term viability and practicality in commercial applications.

Original Abstract Submitted

a drive unit may be configured to drive a pair of left and right wheels of a vehicle. the drive unit may include: a motor; a planetary gear mechanism including a sun gear; a parallel gear coaxially fixed to a carrier; a first and bearing rotatably supporting the carrier and the parallel gear; and a differential mechanism meshing with the parallel gear and configured to distribute power from the parallel gear to the pair of left and right wheels. the sun gear may be connected to the motor and power may be input to the planetary gear mechanism from the motor. the power may be input to the parallel gear from the carrier. the first bearing may be disposed on one side relative to the carrier and the parallel gear and the second bearing may be disposed on other side of the carrier and the parallel gear.