WO2025239860A1

WO2025239860A1 - U-type powerpack unit configuration

Info

Publication number: WO2025239860A1
Application number: PCT/TR2025/050452
Authority: WO
Inventors: Berat Toptan; Caner BORAL; Nusret DUYAR; Çağdaş İNAN; Demiralp HATİPOĞLU
Original assignee: FNSS Savunma Sistemleri AS
Current assignee: FNSS Savunma Sistemleri AS
Priority date: 2024-05-13
Filing date: 2025-05-07
Publication date: 2025-11-20
Anticipated expiration: 2026-11-13

Abstract

The invention relates to the U-shaped interconnection of the powerpack unit, which basically consists of five main subsystems: engine, transmission, cooling, exhaust, and air intake systems, particularly used in wheeled armored vehicles. More specifically, the invention concerns a U-type powerpack unit featuring a side-by-side arranged engine (10) and transmission (20), which occupies less space compared to a longitudinal layout, thereby providing a compact structure that enables more efficient layout of equipment, personnel, and communication inside the vehicle.

Description

U-TYPE POWERPACK UNIT CONFIGURATION

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to the U-shaped interconnection of the powerpack unit, which basically comprises five main subsystems: engine, transmission, cooling, exhaust, and air intake systems, especially used in wheeled armored vehicles.

More specifically, the invention concerns a U-type powerpack unit featuring a side-by- side arrangement of the drive system and transmission, which occupies less space compared to a longitudinal layout, offering a compact structure that allows more efficient equipment and personnel placement and communication within the vehicle.

STATE OF THE ART

The powerpack unit in vehicles generally consists of five main subsystems: engine, transmission, cooling, exhaust, and air intake systems. Today, engines and transmissions are installed in vehicles longitudinally, without an intermediate gearbox. This configuration supports the arrangement of different power unit layouts such as frontengine front-wheel drive, front-engine rear-wheel drive, rear-engine rear-wheel drive, or front-engine all-wheel drive, based on the desired utility of the vehicle.

In front-engine vehicles, there are primarily two possible orientations: longitudinally mounted and transversely mounted engine-transmission assemblies, each with their advantages and disadvantages.

Transverse Layout:

Transversely mounted engines are installed horizontally in the engine bay, perpendicular to the direction of movement. This setup is commonly used in frontengine, front-wheel-drive configurations but has also been applied in other arrangements. In a typical transverse engine layout, the transmission is bolted in line with the engine and followed by a differential with drive shafts protruding from both sides.

This design was revolutionary due to the transmission being integrated into the engine's flywheel housing, forming a powertrain that occupies minimal space in the engine compartment. This meant that relatively large displacement engines could be fitted into small vehicle chassis, delivering impressive performance for their time.

Transverse engines became the norm in smaller production vehicles. Their popularity stems from the amount of space they free up elsewhere in the chassis. In city cars, a transverse engine layout allows significantly more interior space for five adults and some luggage. The absence of a central tunnel for a transmission and a propeller shaft for a rear differential (as required in longitudinal RWD systems) allows for a much flatter floor, improving passenger comfort.

From a driving dynamics perspective, a front-mounted transverse engine places the majority of the vehicle's weight over the front wheels. In FWD setups, this maximizes traction for the driven wheels, clearly advantageous for acceleration and handling slippery surfaces. The lack of required driveline components also reduces total weight and production costs, making these vehicles generally more affordable.

Longitudinal Layout:

Longitudinal engines are typically used in rear-wheel-drive vehicles, especially when a large displacement engine is needed. These engines are mounted along the vehicle's centerline, forming a straight path from the crankshaft to the transmission, driveshaft, and rear differential. A key advantage of this layout is better weight distribution from front to rear. The layout and position of the vehicle's powertrain significantly impact the design of the overall vehicle. After the powertrain's layout is finalized, other drivetrain systems and the vehicle's body shape are defined accordingly.

In military vehicles, the common approach is to connect the engine and transmission longitudinally and also to mount them in a longitudinal layout. In current commercial vehicles, this layout is used in different configurations within the vehicle.

The biggest drawback of current layouts is the inefficient use of interior space. When a longitudinally aligned engine-transmission pair and its housing compartment are placed behind the driver and commander, these two crew members are forced to sit further forward, increasing vehicle length. When the same assembly is placed alongside the vehicle (left or right), the driver's periscope viewing angle is reduced, and access to the driving console and communication with crew members is limited. This makes driving with the hatch closed— especially in tight maneuvering situations— challenging.

In conclusion, deficiencies in current configurations have led to the need for a new, economical, practical, and user-friendly powertrain layout, necessitating technical development within the relevant field.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the U-shaped interconnection of power unit subsystems, developed to eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages and introduce new advantages to the related technical field.

The main objective of the invention is to obtain a shorter power unit structure by positioning the engine and transmission side by side, as opposed to the elongated structure resulting from longitudinal arrangements. This reduced length not only permits a shorter vehicle body, but also opens the possibility of positioning other subsystems to the left and right of the horizontal pair, creating a compact power unit design. When this compact structure is positioned at the rear or front end of the vehicle, the crew compartment can be managed as a single uninterrupted volume, allowing for more efficient interior space utilization.

Another objective is to achieve better road handling and shorter braking distances. The correct arrangement of the power group and drivetrain significantly influences the vehicle's movement, handling, and braking performance. With the invention, an optimal load distribution on the axles is achieved by taking weight distribution into account, especially allowing superior performance under difficult terrain conditions.

Another important objective is to allow the integration of turrets of different sizes into an uninterrupted single volume in any desired position, enhancing turret functionality (depression angle, etc.) and ensuring proper weight balance throughout the vehicle.

Additionally, the placement of crew positions over the second axle naturally provides preliminary protection against threats such as mines.

The structural and characteristic features of the invention and all its advantages will be more clearly understood from the figures provided below and the detailed description referring to these figures. Therefore, the evaluation of the invention should be made considering said figures and detailed explanation.

DRAWINGS TO HELP UNDERSTAND THE INVENTION

FIGURE 1; Image showing the powerpack unit of the current state of the art mounted on the front left of the vehicle.

FIGURE 2; Image showing the powerpack unit of the current state of the art mounted on the front right of the vehicle.

FIGURE 3; Image showing the powerpack unit subject to the invention. FIGURE 4; Image showing the powerpack unit subject to the invention in a disassembled form.

FIGURE 5; Image showing the u-type gear box in the powerpack unit subject to the invention.

FIGURE 6; Image showing the u-type gear box in the powerpack unit subject to the invention.

FIGURE 7; Image showing the powerpack unit of the invention mounted at the front of the vehicle.

FIGURE 8; Image showing the powerpack unit of the invention mounted at the rear of the vehicle.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

10. Engine

20. Transmission

30. U-Type Gearbox

31. Power Transmission Shaft

40. Cooling Module

50. Air Filter

60. Exhaust Muffler

70. Powerpack Frame

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description, preferred configurations of the powerpack unit are presented solely to enhance understanding of the subject and do not limit the scope in any way. Figures 3-8 illustrate the power unit and its details subject to the invention. Arranging the engine (10) and the transmission (20) side by side in contrast to traditional longitudinal layouts allows for a reduction in the length of the powerpack unit. Between the side-by-side positioned engine (10) and transmission (20) is a specially designed u- type gearbox (30) enabling power transfer.

U-Type gearbox (30) contains transmission shafts (31) that receive motion from the engine (10) and deliver it to the transmission (20).

In our invention, the cooling module (40), air filter (50), and exhaust muffler (60) are positioned on top of the combined assembly of the engine (10) and transmission (20). Together, they are mounted on a powerpack frame(70), which allows them to be removed from the vehicle as a unit. This flexibility facilitates easier and more convenient maintenance operations while also enabling a modular structure.

The invention allows the powerpack unit to be positioned at the front or rear of the vehicle, contributing to balanced axle load distribution. Furthermore, this positioning enables more efficient crew and equipment layout and better communication inside the vehicle.

The scope of protection of this application is defined in the claims section and is not limited to the above-described examples. It is apparent that one skilled in the art could use similar configurations to implement the novelty presented in this invention and/or apply this configuration to other fields where similar functions are needed. Therefore, such configurations would clearly lack novelty and the inventive step over the state of the art and hence cannot be considered as part of this invention.

Claims

1- This invention relates to the interconnection of the powerpack unit primarily used in wheeled armored vehicles, characterized by; the inclusion of a engine (10) and a transmission (20) that are arranged side by side, occupying less space compared to longitudinal arrangements, forming a compact structure that allows more efficient layout of equipment, personnel, and communication inside the vehicle.

2- A powerpack unit as in claim 1, characterized by; a u-type gearbox (30) that enables the side-by-side positioning of the engine (10) and the transmission (20) by transferring motion from the engine (10) to the transmission (20).

3- A u-type gearbox (30) as in claim 2, characterized by; including a transmission shaft (31) within the u-type gearbox (30) that transmits motion from the engine (10) to the transmission (20).

4- A powerpack unit as in claim 1, characterized by; a powerpack frame (70) that supports the cooling module (40), air filter (50), exhaust muffler (60), engine (10), and transmission (20), and allows the removal of the entire powerpack unit from the vehicle.