Electric axle with compact electric machine and gear train layout
AssigneeDana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
InventorsEric M. Engerman, Andy Perakes, Rick C. Sigmon
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electric axle is provided. The electric axle includes, in one example, an electric machine rotationally coupled to a layshaft via a first gear reduction and a differential rotationally coupled to the first gear reduction, a first axle shaft, and a second axle shaft. In the electric axle, the electric machine is positioned laterally between at least two drive wheels that are rotationally coupled to the first axle shaft and the second axle shaft and a rotational axis of the electric machine is axially offset from rotational axes of the at least two drive wheels.
Claims17
An electric axle assembly comprising:
- an electric machine rotationally coupled to a layshaft via a first gear reduction;
- a differential rotationally coupled to the layshaft via a second gear reduction;
- a first axle shaft and a second axle shaft directly rotationally coupled to the differential;
- and
- a support structure at least partially enclosing the electric machine and the differential, wherein the support structure includes vertically extending protrusions that are profiled to mate with an engine cradle;
- wherein the electric machine is positioned laterally between at least two drive wheels that are rotationally coupled to the first axle shaft and the second axle shaft;
- wherein a rotational axis of the electric machine is axially offset from rotational axes of the at least two drive wheels;
- and
- wherein rotational axes of the at least two drive wheels are offset from rotational axes of the first and second axle shafts.
An electric drive assembly, comprising:
- an electric beam axle comprising:
- a traction motor rotationally coupled to a differential via a first gear reduction and a second gear reduction which each include a gear coupled to a layshaft;
- and
- a support structure at least partially enclosing the traction motor and the differential;
- wherein the support structure includes vertically extending protrusions that are profiled to mate with an engine cradle;
- wherein the second axle shaft extends underneath an oil reservoir;
- wherein the differential is directly rotationally coupled to a first axle shaft and a second axle shaft;
- wherein the traction motor is positioned laterally between two drive wheels that are rotationally coupled to the first axle shaft and the second axle shaft;
- wherein a rotational axis of the traction motor is axially offset from rotational axes of the two drive wheels;
- and
- wherein rotational axes of the two drive wheels are offset from rotational axes of the first and second axle shafts.
A single speed electric beam axle, comprising:
- a traction motor rotationally coupled to a differential via a first gear reduction and a second gear reduction which each include a gear rotationally coupled to a layshaft;
- and
- a support structure at least partially enclosing the traction motor and the differential;
- wherein the support structure includes vertically extending protrusions that are profiled to mated with an engine cradle
- wherein the differential is directly rotationally coupled to a first axle shaft and a second axle shaft;
- a first wheel end gear reduction directly rotationally coupled to the first axle shaft;
- and
- a second wheel end gear reduction directly rotationally coupled to the second axle shaft;
- wherein the traction motor is positioned laterally between two drive wheels that are each rotationally coupled to one of the first and second wheel end gear reductions;
- wherein a rotational axis the traction motor is axially offset from rotational axes of the two drive wheels;
- and
- wherein rotational axes of the two drive wheels are offset from rotational axes of the first and second axle shafts.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.