20240051600. DUAL MOTOR DRIVE ASSEMBLY simplified abstract (ZF Automotive UK Limited)

DUAL MOTOR DRIVE ASSEMBLY

Organization Name

ZF Automotive UK Limited

Inventor(s)

Russell Wilson-jones of Stratford upon Avon (GB)

Mark Anthony Wilkes of Birmingham (GB)

DUAL MOTOR DRIVE ASSEMBLY - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 20240051600 titled 'DUAL MOTOR DRIVE ASSEMBLY

Simplified Explanation

The abstract describes a dual motor drive assembly for a handwheel actuator assembly of a vehicle. The assembly includes a housing, a rotatable shaft, a first gear connected to the shaft, and first and second motors with respective output gears engaged with the first gear. A torque allocation arrangement is provided to allocate torque demands to each motor according to two modes. In the first mode, the torque demand allocated to the first motor follows a first profile, while the torque demand allocated to the second motor follows a second profile. In the second mode, the torque demand allocation is switched, with the first motor following the second profile and the second motor following the first profile. The assembly also includes a switching arrangement to switch between the two modes.

• The assembly is designed for a handwheel actuator assembly of a vehicle.
• It includes a housing, a rotatable shaft, and first and second motors.
• The motors have output gears engaged with a first gear connected to the shaft.
• A torque allocation arrangement is provided to allocate torque demands to each motor.
• The torque allocation follows different profiles in two modes.
• A switching arrangement is included to switch between the two modes.

Potential applications of this technology:

• Automotive industry: The dual motor drive assembly can be used in vehicles for actuating handwheels, such as steering wheels or other control mechanisms.
• Robotics: The assembly can be applied in robotic systems that require precise and controlled rotational movements.

Problems solved by this technology:

• Torque allocation: The assembly solves the problem of efficiently allocating torque demands between two motors to achieve desired rotational movements.
• Mode switching: The switching arrangement allows for flexibility in torque allocation modes, enabling different torque profiles to be followed based on specific requirements.

Benefits of this technology:

• Improved control: The dual motor drive assembly provides better control over rotational movements, allowing for precise and accurate positioning.
• Redundancy: The use of two motors provides redundancy, ensuring continued operation even if one motor fails.
• Flexibility: The ability to switch between torque allocation modes offers flexibility in adapting to different operational requirements or scenarios.

Original Abstract Submitted

a dual motor drive assembly, for a handwheel actuator assembly of a vehicle, comprises a housing, a shaft rotatably mounted to the housing, a first gear connected to and configured to rotate with the shaft, first and second motors, each having an output driving a respective output gear, the output gears being engaged with the first gear, a torque allocation arrangement for allocating torque demands to each of the first and second motors according to a first and second mode, wherein in the first mode the torque demand allocated to the first motor follows a first profile and the torque demand allocated to the second motor follows a second profile, wherein the first and second profiles represent defined relationships between a total torque demand and the torque demand allocated to one of the first and second motors, wherein in the second mode the torque demand allocated to the first motor follows the second profile and the torque demand allocated to the second motor follows the first profile, further comprising a switching arrangement operable to switch the torque allocations between the first and second mode.