# US 10,369,880 B2 · Power transmission device for vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,369,880 B2 - Document ID: US10369880B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/776,557 - Filed: 2016-11-18 - Published: 2018-11-15 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2015-11-20 - Assignees: Ntn Corporation - Applicants: Ntn Corporation - Inventors: Masao Kurita; Hirokazu Ohba; Taisuke Igi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10369880B2 ## CPC - B60K 6/485: Motor-assist type - B60K 6/48: Parallel type - B60K 7/00: Disposition of motor in, or adjacent to, traction wheel - B60K 7/0007: {the motor being electric} - B60K 7/0023: {the motor being pneumatic} - B60K 17/043: {Transmission unit disposed in on near the vehicle wheel, or between the differential gear unit and the wheel} - B62D 7/18: Steering knuckles; King pins - F16H 1/06: with parallel axes - B60K 2007/0038: {the motor moving together with the wheel axle} - B60K 2007/0061: {the motor axle being parallel to the wheel axle} - B60Y 2200/92: Hybrid vehicles - B60Y 2300/18125: Regenerative braking - B60Y 2410/102: Shaft arrangements; Shaft supports, e.g. bearings - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - F16H: GEARING - B60Y: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY ## Abstract The power transmission device includes an input shaft that rotates about its axis together with a vehicle wheel. A driving gear is arranged coaxially with the input shaft so as to rotate about the axis of the input shaft together with the input shaft. A driven gear meshes with the driving gear, and configured to transmit a rotational force to an output shaft connected to a regenerative energy converter. A wheel bearing for the vehicle wheel supports the input shaft such that the input shaft is rotatable about its axis relative to the driven gear. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A power transmission device for a vehicle, the power transmission device comprising: a drive shaft for transmitting a driving force from a driving source to a wheel of the vehicle, the drive shaft having a first end to be coupled to the driving source and a second end opposite the first end; an input shaft connected to the second end of the drive shaft to receive the driving force from the drive shaft in the form of a rotational force, the input shaft being configured to rotate about an axis of the input shaft together with the wheel of the vehicle; a driving gear arranged coaxially with the input shaft, the driving gear being configured to rotate about the axis of the input shaft together with the input shaft; a regenerative energy converter configured to convert rotational force to regenerative energy; a driven gear meshing with the driving gear so as to be rotated by the driving gear, the driven gear being configured to transmit a portion of the rotational force to an output shaft connected to the regenerative energy converter, the driving gear being configured to draw off the portion of the rotational force from the input shaft; and a wheel bearing supporting the input shaft such that the input shaft is rotatable about the axis of the input shaft relative to the driven gear. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The power transmission device according to claim 1, further comprising a knuckle bracket configured to retain the driven gear such that the driven gear is rotatable about an axis of the driven gear, wherein the wheel bearing includes: an inner member fitted to the input shaft; an outer member fitted to the knuckle bracket; and rolling elements disposed between the inner member and the outer member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The power transmission device according to claim 2, wherein the input shaft has a constant diameter portion having a constant outer diameter, and a radially expanding portion having an outer diameter continuously increasing from the constant diameter portion, wherein the inner member includes a hub ring having a raceway, and an inner race having a raceway, and wherein the hub ring is fitted to the constant diameter portion, and the inner race is fitted to the radially expanding portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The power transmission device according to claim 2, wherein the knuckle bracket and the outer member have an integrated one-piece construction. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The power transmission device according to claim 1, further comprising a constant-velocity universal joint to which the input shaft is coupled, the constant-velocity universal joint being configured to transmit the rotational force about an axis of the constant-velocity universal joint to the input shaft under the driving force of the driving source via the drive shaft. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The power transmission device according to claim 3, wherein the knuckle bracket and the outer member have an integrated one-piece construction. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The power transmission device according to claim 2, wherein the input shaft is coupled to a constant-velocity universal joint such that the rotational force about an axis of the constant-velocity universal joint is transmitted to the input shaft from the drive shaft under the driving force of the driving source. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The power transmission device according to claim 3, wherein the input shaft is coupled to a constant-velocity universal joint such that the rotational force about an axis of the constant-velocity universal joint is transmitted to the input shaft from the drive shaft under the driving force of the driving source. ### Claim 9 (depends on 4) The power transmission device according to claim 4, wherein the input shaft is coupled to a constant-velocity universal joint such that the rotational force about an axis of the constant-velocity universal joint is transmitted to the input shaft from the drive shaft under the driving force of the driving source. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The power transmission device according to claim 6, wherein the input shaft is coupled to a constant-velocity universal joint such that the rotational force about an axis of the constant-velocity universal joint is transmitted to the input shaft from the drive shaft under the driving force of the driving source. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The power transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the regenerative energy converter comprises a motor generator. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The power transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the regenerative energy converter comprises a compressor. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The power transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the regenerative energy converter comprises an actuator. ### Claim 14 A power transmission device for a vehicle, the power transmission device comprising: an input shaft configured to rotate about an axis of the input shaft together with a wheel of the vehicle; a driving gear arranged coaxially with the input shaft, the driving gear being configured to rotate about the axis of the input shaft together with the input shaft; a driven gear meshing with the driving gear, the driven gear being configured to transmit a portion of a rotational force from the input shaft to an output shaft connected to a regenerative energy converter; a knuckle bracket having a recess accommodating the driving gear and the driven gear, the knuckle bracket having a cover for enclosing the driving gear and the driven gear within the knuckle bracket; a wheel bearing supporting the input shaft such that the input shaft is rotatable about the axis of the input shaft relative to the driven gear. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The power transmission device according to claim 14, wherein the knuckle bracket is configured to retain the driven gear such that the driven gear is rotatable about an axis of the driven gear, wherein the wheel bearing includes: an inner member fitted to the input shaft; an outer member fitted to the knuckle bracket; and rolling elements disposed between the inner member and the outer member. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The power transmission device according to claim 15, wherein the input shaft is coupled to a constant-velocity universal joint such that the rotational force about an axis of the constant-velocity universal joint is transmitted to the input shaft under a driving force of a driving source. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The power transmission device according to claim 15, wherein the input shaft has a constant diameter portion having a constant outer diameter, and a radially expanding portion having an outer diameter continuously increasing from the constant diameter portion, wherein the inner member includes a hub ring having a raceway, and an inner race having a raceway, and wherein the hub ring is fitted to the constant diameter portion, and the inner race is fitted to the radially expanding portion. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The power transmission device according to claim 17, wherein the knuckle bracket and the outer member have an integrated one-piece construction. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The power transmission device according to claim 15, wherein the knuckle bracket and the outer member have an integrated one-piece construction. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The power transmission device according to claim 14, further comprising a constant-velocity universal joint to which the input shaft is coupled, the constant-velocity universal joint being configured to transmit the rotational force about an axis of the constant-velocity universal joint to the input shaft under a driving force of a driving source.