| 초록 |
As the electric vehicle (EV) market matures, the adoption of EV-based four-wheel drive (4WD) models that consider both driving performance and stability is increasing. However, due to the limited battery capacity of EVs, continuous front–rear wheel drive lowers drivetrain efficiency and reduces driving range, which remains a key challenge. To address this, our company is developing a Wheel Disconnect System (WDS) that disconnects unnecessary drivetrain components from the auxiliary drive axle to minimize power and rotational losses, while actively reconnecting the drivetrain to the wheels when 4WD performance is required. Unlike conventional multi-plate clutch devices such as couplings, ATCs, or LSDs designed to enhance driving performance, the WDS employs a dog clutch–based mechanism located between the wheel and wheel shaft, enabling complete disconnection from the wheel and thus reducing rotational losses. This study (1) examines the operating mechanism and shifting conditions of the WDS, (2) analyzes shifting performance and key influencing factors of the dog clutch under varying conditions, and (3) proposes optimization methods for response and shift shock. In addition, (4) the robustness of the system is validated through shifting limit and durability evaluations, and (5) vehicle-level simulations are performed to assess how differential effects influence WDS performance. |
