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US 12,214,658 B2Granted
Electric axle with multiple electric machines and locking clutch
AssigneeDana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
InventorsRick C. Sigmon, Andy Perakes, Eric M. Engerman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods for a lockable electric axle are provided. The electric axle includes a first electric machine coupled to a first drive wheel via a first gear set. The electric axle further includes a second electric machine coupled to a second drive wheel via a second gear set, and a locking clutch designed to selectively lock the rotation of a first rotor shaft and a second rotor shaft in the first and second electric machines, respectively.
Claims17
An electric axle comprising:
- a first axial flux electric motor coupled to a first drive wheel via a first gear set;
- a second axial flux electric motor coupled to a second drive wheel via second gear set;
- and
- a locking clutch designed to selectively lock rotation of a first rotor shaft and a second rotor shaft in the first and second axial flux electric motors, respectively;
- wherein each of the first axial flux electric motor and the second axial flux electric motor include rotor sections position on opposing axial sides of a stator;
- and
- wherein the first and second splined interfaces are coupled to the first and second rotor shafts on inboard sides of the first and second electric machines and a first and second gear sets are coupled to the first and second rotor shafts, respectively, on outboard sides of the first and second electric machines.
4 more elements
A method for operating an electric beam axle, comprising:
- engaging a locking clutch to lock rotation of a first rotor shaft and a second rotor shaft in a first electric machine and a second electric machine, respectively;
- wherein the electric beam axle includes:
- the first electric machine coupled to a first drive wheel via a first gear set;
- the second electric machine coupled to a second drive wheel via second gear set;
- and
- a locking clutch including:
- a first splined interface fixedly coupled to the first rotor shaft in the first electric machine;
- a second splined interface fixedly coupled to the second rotor shaft in the second electric machine;
- and
- a sliding sleeve designed to selectively mate with the first splined interface and the second splined interface;
- wherein the first and second splined interfaces are coupled to the first and second rotor shafts on inboard sides of the first and second electric machines and a first and second gear sets are coupled to the first and second rotor shafts, respectively, on outboard sides of the first and second electric machines.
8 more elements
An electric beam axle comprising:
- a first electric machine coupled to a first drive wheel via a first gear set;
- a second electric machine coupled to a second drive wheel via second gear set;
- and
- a locking clutch including:
- a first splined interface fixedly coupled to a first rotor shaft in the first electric machine;
- a second splined interface fixedly coupled to a second rotor shaft in the second electric machine;
- and
- a sliding sleeve designed to selectively mate with the first splined interface and the second splined interface;
- wherein the first and second splined interfaces are coupled to the first and second rotor shafts on inboard sides of the first and second electric machines and a first and second gear sets are coupled to the first and second rotor shafts, respectively, on outboard sides of the first and second electric machines.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.