# US 12,005,947 B2 · Drive unit > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,005,947 B2 - Document ID: US12005947B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/117,456 - Filed: 2020-12-10 - Published: 2021-07-15 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2020-01-10 - Assignees: Exedy Corporation - Applicants: EXEDY Corporation - Inventors: Hitoshi Katsura; Taichi Kitamura; Chika Baba - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12005947B2 ## CPC - B62B 5/0046: {One motor drives two wheels} - B62B 3/06: for simply clearing the load from the ground (masted lift trucks B66F) - B62B 3/0612: {power operated} - B62B 5/005: {Detachably mounted motor units} - B62B 3/001: {Steering devices} - B62B 3/0618: {using fluid lifting mechanisms} - B62D 51/04: the driver walking - B62B: HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES (characterised by animal propulsion B62C; propulsion of sledges by driver or engine B62M) - 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) ## Abstract A drive unit includes a support frame, a drive wheel and a prime mover. The support frame is disposed to be pivotable about a pivot axis. The drive wheel is supported by the support frame. The prime mover is supported by the support frame. The prime mover drives the drive wheel. The support frame and at least one member form a pivot unit. The at least one member pivots together with the support frame. The pivot unit has a center of gravity disposed on the opposite side of the pivot axis with respect to the drive wheel. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A drive unit configured to be attached to a carrier that has a steering axle member and a support shaft member, the drive unit comprising: a support frame disposed to be pivotable about a pivot axis; a drive wheel supported by the support frame; a prime mover supported by the support frame, the prime mover configured to drive the drive wheel; and a coupling member by which the drive unit can be attached to the carrier, the coupling member being configured to detachably fit around both the steering axle member and the support shaft member of the carrier with the pivot axis being provided by the coupling member, wherein a pivot unit, comprised by the support frame and at least one member other than the drive wheel, pivots relative to the pivot axis, and wherein the drive wheel and a center of gravity of the pivot unit are disposed on the same side of the pivot axis with the center of gravity of the pivot unit being farther from the pivot axis than the drive wheel is. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the prime mover and the drive wheel are disposed on the same side of the pivot axis with the prime mover being farther from the pivot axis than the drive wheel is. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The drive unit according to claim 1, further comprising a battery and an inverter each supported by the support frame, wherein the battery and the inverter are each disposed on the same side of the pivot axis as the drive wheel is, with the battery and the inverter each being farther from the pivot axis than the drive wheel is. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The drive unit according to claim 3, wherein the battery and the inverter each have a center of gravity disposed farther from the pivot axis than a center of gravity of the prime mover is. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The drive unit according to claim 1, further comprising a power transmission mechanism configured to transmit power from the prime mover to the drive wheel, the power transmission mechanism supported by the support frame, wherein the power transmission mechanism is disposed on the same side of the pivot axis as the drive wheel is, with the power transmission mechanism being farther from the pivot axis than the drive wheel is. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The drive unit according to claim 1, further comprising a weight supported by the support frame, wherein the weight is disposed on the same side of the pivot axis as the drive wheel is, with the weight being farther from the pivot axis than the drive wheel is. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The drive unit according to claim 6, wherein the weight has a center of gravity disposed farther from the pivot axis than a center of gravity of the prime mover is.