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.
Claims13
An electric axle system, comprising:
- a traction motor rotationally coupled to a shaft via a first gear reduction;
- a differential rotationally coupled to the shaft via a second gear reduction;
- a first axle shaft and a second axle shaft directly rotationally coupled to the differential;
- a first final drive gear reduction directly rotationally coupled to the first axle shaft and a first wheel shaft;
- and
- a second final drive gear reduction directly rotationally coupled to the second axle shaft and a second wheel shaft;
- and
- a support structure at least partially enclosing the traction motor and the differential;
- wherein the first final drive gear reduction and the second final drive gear reduction are at least partially enclosed by the support structure;
- wherein the traction motor is positioned laterally between at least two drive wheels that are rotationally coupled to the first wheel shaft and the second wheel shaft;
- wherein a rotational axis of the traction motor is axially offset from rotational axes of the at least two drive wheels;
- and
- wherein the first axle shaft and the second axle shaft have unequal lengths.
A single speed electric beam axle system, comprising:
- a traction motor rotationally coupled to a shaft via a first gear reduction;
- a differential rotationally coupled to the shaft via a second gear reduction;
- a first axle shaft and a second axle shaft directly rotationally coupled to the differential;
- a first final drive gear reduction directly rotationally coupled to the first axle shaft and a first wheel shaft;
- a second final drive gear reduction directly coupled to the second axle shaft and a second wheel shaft;
- and
- a support structure that at least partially encloses the traction motor;
- wherein the first final drive gear reduction and the second final drive gear reduction are at least partially enclosed by the support structure;
- wherein the traction motor is positioned laterally between at least two drive wheels that are rotationally coupled to the first wheel shaft and the second wheel shaft;
- wherein a rotational axis of the traction motor is axially offset from rotational axes of the at least two drive wheels;
- and
- wherein the first axle shaft and the second axle shaft have unequal lengths.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.