# US 11,440,398 B2 · Motive wheel comprising a selectively attachable and detachable hub motor and method of making and using the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,440,398 B2 - Document ID: US11440398B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/588,041 - Filed: 2019-09-30 - Published: 2021-04-01 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2019-09-30 - Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. - Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. - Inventors: Joshua D. Payne; Nathan C. Westover - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11440398B2 ## CPC - B60K 7/0007: {the motor being electric} - B60B 27/0047: {characterised by functional integration of other elements} - B60B 27/04: housing driving means, e.g. sprockets - B60K 17/354: having separate mechanical assemblies for transmitting drive to the front or to the rear wheels or set of wheels - B60K 17/356: having fluid or electric motor, for driving one or more wheels - B60L 50/60: using power supplied by batteries (in combination with fuel cells B60L50/75) - B60R 16/0231: {Circuits relating to the driving or the functioning of the vehicle (monitoring tyres B60C23/00; indicating overspeed B60K31/00; for dash boards B60K37/00, B60Q3/10; for indicating emergencies B60Q1/52; brake control systems B60T; registering or indicating the working of vehicles G07C5/00; measuring distance G01C, e.g. combinations of speed and distance G01C23/00; engine indicators G01L; measuring speed or acceleration G01P)} - B62D 65/12: the sub-units or components being suspensions, brakes or wheel units - F16D 55/226: in which the common actuating member is moved axially {, e.g. floating caliper disc brakes} - B60B 21/00: Rims (non-metallic B60B5/00; of high resiliency B60B9/00; capable of carrying more than one tyre B60B11/04; multiple rims on a single wheel body B60B11/06; of multi-part type B60B25/00; metal tyres B60C) - B60B 27/0015: {for driven wheels} - B60K 2007/0038: {the motor moving together with the wheel axle} - B60K 2007/0092: {the motor axle being coaxial to the wheel axle} - B60L 2220/44: Wheel Hub motors, i.e. integrated in the wheel hub - B60L 2220/46: Wheel motors, i.e. motor connected to only one wheel - B60Y 2200/11: Passenger cars; Automobiles - B60Y 2200/91: Electric vehicles - 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 - B60B: VEHICLE WHEELS (making wheels or wheel parts by rolling B21H1/00, by forging, hammering or pressing B21K1/28); CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION - B60L: PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES (arrangements or mounting of electrical propulsion units or of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion in vehicles B60K1/00, B60K6/20; arrangements or mounting of electrical gearing in vehicles B60K17/12, B60K17/14; preventing wheel slip by reducing power in rail vehicles B61C15/08; dynamo-electric machines H02K; control or regulation of electric motors H02P); SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES (electric coupling devices combined with mechanical couplings of vehicles B60D1/64; electric heating for vehicles B60H1/00); ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL (control or regulation of electric motors H02P); MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - 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) - F16D: COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES - B60Y: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY ## Abstract A motive wheel and selectively attachable/detachable hub motor for an electric vehicle comprises an axle comprising an axle axis, outer end, and cylindrical axle hub; a wheel comprising an outer wheel surface, inner wheel surface, wheel hub configured for reversible rotatable disposition on the axle, and wheel rim configured to receive a tire; and a hub motor disposed proximate the outer wheel surface and configured for selective attachment to/detachment from the wheel and axle and comprising a cylindrical rotor and cylindrical stator, the cylindrical rotor configured for selective attachment to/detachment from the axle, the cylindrical stator extending away from the cylindrical rotor and configured for selective attachment to/detachment from the wheel hub, the hub motor configured for reversible rotation of the wheel and cylindrical stator, wherein upon attachment of the hub motor a motive wheel is provided, and wherein upon detachment of the hub motor a non-motive wheel is provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A motive wheel comprising a selectively attachable and detachable hub motor for an electric vehicle, comprising: a non-rotatable axle comprising an axle axis, an outer end, and a cylindrical axle hub disposed inwardly from the outer end that extends radially outwardly away from the axle axis; a wheel comprising an outer wheel surface, an inner wheel surface, a wheel hub extending radially outwardly away from, and configured for reversible rotatable disposition on, the non-rotatable axle, and a wheel rim attached to and circumferentially extending about the wheel hub, the wheel rim comprising an outer rim portion that that extends axially away from the outer wheel surface and an inner rim portion that extend axially away from the inner wheel surface, an outer rim surface configured to receive a selectively inflatable and deflatable tire, the cylindrical axle hub disposed proximate the inner wheel surface and the inner rim portion; and a selectively attachable and detachable hub motor disposed proximate the outer wheel surface and configured for selective attachment to and detachment from the wheel and the non-rotatable axle, the selectively attachable and detachable hub motor comprising a cylindrical rotor and a cylindrical stator concentric with one another, the cylindrical rotor extending radially outwardly from, and configured for selective attachment to and detachment from, the non-rotatable axle, the cylindrical stator radially spaced from, and extending radially outwardly away from, the cylindrical rotor and configured for selective attachment to and detachment from the wheel hub, the selectively attachable and detachable hub motor configured for reversible motive rotation of the wheel and cylindrical stator, wherein upon attachment of the selectively attachable and detachable hub motor a motive wheel is provided, and wherein upon detachment of the selectively attachable and detachable hub motor a non-motive wheel is provided. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The motive wheel comprising a selectively attachable and detachable hub motor for an electric vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a rotatable slip ring connector that is configured for disposition between the wheel and the cylindrical axle hub and is configured for electrical power communication through an electrical power bus from a vehicle controller and a vehicle battery to power and control the selectively attachable and detachable hub motor. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The motive wheel comprising a selectively attachable and detachable hub motor for an electric vehicle of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical rotor is disposed in a cylindrical rotor housing and the cylindrical stator is disposed in a cylindrical stator housing, the cylindrical stator housing radially spaced from the cylindrical rotor housing, the cylindrical stator housing comprises a cylindrical ring and a circular rotor opening and the cylindrical rotor housing comprises a cylindrical ring disposed concentrically within the circular rotor opening. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The motive wheel comprising a selectively attachable and detachable hub motor for an electric vehicle of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical rotor is disposed in a cylindrical rotor housing and the cylindrical stator is disposed in a cylindrical stator housing, the cylindrical stator housing radially spaced from the cylindrical rotor housing. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The motive wheel comprising a selectively attachable and detachable hub motor for an electric vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a mechanical friction brake that is configured to apply a mechanical braking force to the wheel and the selectively attachable and detachable hub motor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The motive wheel comprising a selectively attachable and detachable hub motor for an electric vehicle of claim 5, wherein the mechanical friction brake comprises a cylindrical brake rotor and a brake caliper, the cylindrical brake rotor configured for reversible rotatable disposition on and extending radially outwardly away from the non-rotatable axle to a caliper portion, the cylindrical brake rotor configured for selective attachment to and detachment from the wheel hub, the brake caliper configured for selectively attachable and detachable attachment to the axle hub and the selectively movable opposed caliper legs having opposed selectively movable friction brake pads disposed therebetween, the selectively movable opposed caliper legs and friction brake pads configured for pressed engagement against the caliper portion to apply the mechanical braking force. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The motive wheel comprising a selectively attachable and detachable hub motor for an electric vehicle of claim 1, wherein the non-rotatable axle comprises an independent axle configured for attachment to an independent vehicle suspension or a continuous axle configured for attachment to a vehicle suspension. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The motive wheel comprising a selectively attachable and detachable hub motor for an electric vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a stator spacer disposed between the cylindrical stator and the wheel hub. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The motive wheel comprising a selectively attachable and detachable hub motor for an electric vehicle of claim 1, further comprising an outer wheel cover configured for disposition on the outer wheel surface of the motive wheel or the non-motive wheel or an inner wheel cover configured for disposition on the inner wheel surface of a motive wheel or non-motive wheel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The motive wheel comprising a selectively attachable and detachable hub motor for an electric vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a vehicle comprising a plurality of motive wheels and a plurality of non-motive wheels. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The motive wheel comprising a selectively attachable and detachable hub motor for an electric vehicle of claim 10, wherein the plurality of motive wheels comprises two motive wheels and the plurality of non-motive wheels comprises two non-motive wheels. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The motive wheel comprising a selectively attachable and detachable hub motor for an electric vehicle of claim 11, wherein the two motive wheels are front wheels and the two non-motive wheels are rear wheels and the electric vehicle is configured as a front wheel drive (FWD) vehicle, and wherein the selectively attachable and detachable hub motors are configured for detachment from the front wheels to make the front wheels non-motive wheels and attachment to the rear wheels to make the rear wheels motive wheels thereby reconfiguring the FWD vehicle to a rear wheel drive (RWD) vehicle. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The motive wheel comprising a selectively attachable and detachable hub motor for an electric vehicle of claim 11, wherein the two motive wheels are rear wheels and the two non-motive wheels are front wheels and the electric vehicle is configured as a rear wheel drive (RWD) vehicle, and wherein the selectively attachable and detachable hub motors are configured for detachment from the rear wheels to make the rear wheels non-motive wheels and attachment to the front wheels to make the front wheels motive wheels thereby reconfiguring the RWD vehicle to a front wheel drive (FWD) vehicle. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The motive wheel comprising a selectively attachable and detachable hub motor for an electric vehicle of claim 11, wherein the two motive wheels are front wheels or rear wheels and the two non-motive wheels are rear wheels or front wheels, respectively, and the electric vehicle is configured as a front wheel drive (FWD) vehicle or a rear wheel drive (RWD) vehicle, respectively, and wherein the electric vehicle further comprises two additional selectively attachable and detachable hub motors that are configured for attachment to the respective non-motive wheels to convert the FWD vehicle or RWD vehicle, respectively, into an all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicle. ### Claim 15 A method of making a motive wheel comprising a selectively attachable and detachable hub motor for an electric vehicle, comprising: forming a non-rotatable axle comprising an axle axis, an outer end, and a cylindrical axle hub disposed inwardly from the outer end that extends radially outwardly away from the axle axis; disposing a wheel on the non-rotatable axle from the outer end, the wheel comprising an outer wheel surface, an inner wheel surface, a wheel hub extending radially outwardly away from, and configured for reversible rotatable disposition on, the non-rotatable axle, and a wheel rim attached to and circumferentially extending about the wheel hub, the wheel rim comprising an outer rim portion that that extends axially away from the outer wheel surface and an inner rim portion that extends axially away from the inner wheel surface, an outer rim surface configured to receive a selectively inflatable and deflatable tire, the cylindrical axle hub disposed proximate the inner wheel surface and the inner rim portion; and attaching a selectively attachable and detachable hub motor to the wheel and non-rotatable axle, the selectively attachable and detachable hub motor disposed proximate the outer wheel surface and configured for selective attachment to and detachment from the wheel and non-rotatable axle, the selectively attachable and detachable hub motor comprising a concentric cylindrical rotor and a cylindrical stator, the cylindrical rotor extending radially outwardly from, and configured for selective attachment to and detachment from, the non-rotatable axle, the cylindrical stator radially spaced from, and extending radially outwardly away from, the cylindrical rotor and configured for selective attachment to and detachment from the wheel hub, the selectively attachable and detachable hub motor configured for reversible motive rotation of the wheel and cylindrical stator, wherein upon attachment of the selectively attachable and detachable hub motor a motive wheel is provided, and wherein upon detachment of the selectively attachable and detachable hub motor a non-motive wheel is provided. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of making a motive wheel comprising a selectively attachable and detachable hub motor for an electric vehicle of claim 15, further comprising: attaching to the motive wheel at least one of: a rotatable slip ring connector that is configured for disposition between the wheel and the cylindrical axle hub and is configured for electrical power communication through an electrical power bus from a vehicle controller and a vehicle battery to power and control the selectively attachable and detachable hub motor; a mechanical friction brake that is configured to apply a mechanical braking force to the wheel and selectively attachable and detachable hub motor; a stator spacer disposed between the cylindrical stator and the wheel hub; an outer wheel cover configured for disposition on the outer wheel surface of a motive wheel or a non-motive wheel or an inner wheel cover configured for disposition on the inner wheel surface of a motive wheel or non-motive wheel; or an electric vehicle comprising a plurality of motive wheels and non-motive wheels. ### Claim 17 A method of using a motive wheel comprising a selectively attachable and detachable hub motor for an electric vehicle, comprising: forming a non-rotatable axle comprising an axle axis, an outer end, and a cylindrical axle hub disposed inwardly from the outer end that extends radially outwardly away from the axle axis; a wheel comprising an outer wheel surface, an inner wheel surface, a wheel hub extending radially outwardly away from, and configured for reversible rotatable disposition on, the axle, and a wheel rim attached to and circumferentially extending about the wheel hub, the wheel rim comprising an outer rim portion that that extends axially away from the outer wheel surface and an inner rim portion that extends axially away from the inner wheel surface, an outer rim surface configured to receive a selectively inflatable and deflatable tire, the cylindrical axle hub disposed proximate the inner wheel surface and the inner rim portion; and a selectively attachable and detachable hub motor disposed proximate the outer wheel surface and configured for selective attachment to and detachment from the wheel and axle, the selectively attachable and detachable hub motor comprising a concentric cylindrical rotor and a cylindrical stator, the cylindrical rotor extending radially outwardly from, and configured for selective attachment to and detachment from, the non-rotatable axle, the cylindrical stator radially spaced from, and extending radially outwardly away from, the cylindrical rotor and configured for selective attachment to and detachment from the wheel hub, the selectively attachable and detachable hub motor configured for reversible motive rotation of the wheel and cylindrical stator, wherein upon attachment of the selectively attachable and detachable hub motor a motive wheel is provided, and wherein upon detachment of the selectively attachable and detachable hub motor a non-motive wheel is provided; and installing a plurality of first motive wheels and first non-motive wheels on a vehicle chassis to form a wheeled vehicle, wherein the first motive wheels are configured to provide motive propulsion of the wheeled vehicle. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of using a motive wheel comprising a selectively attachable and detachable hub motor for an electric vehicle of claim 17, further comprising: detaching a first selectively attachable and detachable hub motor from one of the first motive wheels, wherein the respective first motive wheel becomes a second non-motive wheel; and attaching the first selectively attachable and detachable hub motor detached from the first motive wheel to one of the first non-motive wheels to provide a second motive wheel, wherein a position of the motive wheels on the electric vehicle is moved from the outer wheel surface of the respective motive wheel to the respective non-motive wheel without removing either of the wheels from the electric vehicle. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of using a motive wheel comprising a selectively attachable and detachable hub motor for an electric vehicle of claim 17, wherein the plurality of first motive wheels comprises two first motive wheels and the plurality of first non-motive wheels comprises two first non-motive wheels, and wherein the two first motive wheels are front wheels and the two first non-motive wheels are rear wheels and the electric vehicle is configured as a front wheel drive (FWD) vehicle, and wherein the selectively attachable and detachable hub motors are configured for detachment from the front wheels to make the front wheels non-motive wheels and attachment to the rear wheels to make the rear wheels motive wheels thereby reconfiguring the FWD vehicle to a rear wheel drive (RWD) vehicle, or the two motive wheels are rear wheels and the two non-motive wheels are front wheels and the vehicle is configured as an RWD vehicle, and wherein the selectively attachable and detachable hub motors are configured for detachment from the rear wheels to make the rear wheels non-motive wheels and attachment to the front wheels to make the front wheels motive wheels thereby reconfiguring the RWD vehicle to an FWD vehicle. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method of using a motive wheel comprising a selectively attachable and detachable hub motor for an electric vehicle of claim 17, wherein the plurality of first motive wheels comprises two first motive wheels and the plurality of first non-motive wheels comprises two first non-motive wheels, and wherein the two first motive wheels are front wheels or rear wheels and the two first non-motive wheels are rear wheels or front wheels, respectively, and the vehicle is configured as a front wheel drive (FWD) vehicle or a rear wheel drive (RWD) vehicle, respectively, and wherein the vehicle further comprises two additional selectively attachable and detachable hub motors that are configured for attachment to the respective non-motive wheels to convert FWD vehicle or RWD vehicle, respectively, into an all-wheel drive vehicle or a four wheel drive vehicle.