# US 12,110,952 B2 · Electric axle with compact electric machine and gear train layout > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,110,952 B2 - Document ID: US12110952B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/304,901 - Filed: 2023-04-21 - Published: 2023-10-26 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2022-04-21 - Assignees: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC - Applicants: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC - Inventors: Eric M. Engerman; Andy Perakes; Rick C. Sigmon - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12110952B2 ## CPC - F16H 37/0813: {with only one input shaft} - B60K 1/00: Arrangement or mounting of electrical propulsion units (B60K7/00 takes precedence; arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion B60K6/00) - B60K 17/043: {Transmission unit disposed in on near the vehicle wheel, or between the differential gear unit and the wheel} - B60K 17/165: {provided between independent half axles (B60K17/18, B60K17/20 take precedence)} - F16H 1/22: with a plurality of driving or driven shafts; with arrangements for dividing torque between two or more intermediate shafts - F16H 48/34: using electromagnetic or electric actuators - F16H 57/037: Gearboxes for accommodating differential gearings (rotating cases for differential gearings F16H48/40) - F16H 57/045: {Lubricant storage reservoirs, e.g. reservoirs in addition to a gear sump for collecting lubricant in the upper part of a gear case} - B60K 6/36: characterised by the transmission gearings - B60K 2001/001: {one motor mounted on a propulsion axle for rotating right and left wheels of this axle} - B60Y 2200/92: Hybrid vehicles - B60Y 2300/18125: Regenerative braking - F16H 48/08: comprising bevel gears - F16H 48/22: using friction clutches or brakes - F16H 2057/0203: {the gearbox is associated or combined with a crank case of an engine} - F16H 2057/02034: {Gearboxes combined or connected with electric machines} - F16H 2057/02043: {for vehicle transmissions} - F16H 2057/02052: {Axle units; Transfer casings for four wheel drive} - F16H: GEARING - 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 - B60Y: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electric axle assembly of claim 1, wherein the electric axle assembly is a beam axle assembly. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The electric axle assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a first wheel end gear reduction directly coupled to the first axle shaft and a first wheel shaft; and a second wheel end gear reduction directly coupled to the second axle shaft and a second wheel shaft. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The electric axle assembly of claim 3, wherein the first and second wheel end gear reductions are final drive gear reductions. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The electric axle assembly of claim 1, wherein the differential is a locking differential designed to selectively inhibit a speed variance between the first and second axle shafts. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The electric axle assembly of claim 1, wherein the second axle shaft passes under an oil reservoir. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The electric axle assembly of claim 1, wherein the electric axle assembly is a single speed electric axle. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The electric axle assembly of claim 1, wherein the electric axle assembly is a front axle assembly. ### Claim 9 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. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The electric drive assembly of claim 9, further comprising a first wheel end gear reduction rotationally coupled to the first axle shaft and a second wheel end gear reduction coupled to the second axle shaft. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The electric drive assembly of claim 9, wherein the differential is an electronic locking differential designed to selectively inhibit a speed variance between the first and second axle shafts. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The electric drive assembly of claim 9, wherein the electric drive assembly is a single speed front electric axle. ### Claim 13 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. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The single speed electric beam axle of claim 13, wherein the second axle shaft passes under an oil reservoir. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The single speed electric beam axle of claim 13, wherein the single speed electric beam axle is a front axle that is included in a hybrid electric vehicle. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The single speed electric beam axle of claim 13, wherein the single speed electric beam axle is a front axle that is included in an all-electric vehicle. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The single speed electric beam axle of claim 13, wherein the first axle shaft and the second axle shaft have unequal axial lengths.