# US 12,435,778 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 12,435,778 B2 - Document ID: US12435778B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/807,749 - Filed: 2024-08-16 - Published: 2024-12-12 - Granted: 2025-10-07 - 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/US12435778B2 ## 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 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electric axle system of claim 1, wherein the traction motor is configured to electrically connect to an inverter. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The electric axle system of claim 1, wherein the differential is an open differential. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The electric axle system of claim 1, further comprising a support structure that at least partially encloses the traction motor and includes multiple vertically extending protrusions. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The electric axle system of claim 1, wherein: the electric axle system is a single speed electric axle; and the electric axle system is a front axle system. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The electric axle system of claim 1, wherein rotational axes of the at least two drive wheels are offset from rotational axes of the first and second axle shafts. ### Claim 7 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. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The single speed electric beam axle system of claim 7, wherein the single speed electric beam axle system is a front axle system. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The single speed electric beam axle system of claim 7, wherein the traction motor is a multi-phase alternating current (AC) motor-generator. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The single speed electric beam axle system of claim 7, wherein the differential is an open differential or a locking differential. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The single speed electric beam axle system of claim 7, wherein the support structure at least partially encloses the differential. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The single speed electric beam axle system of claim 7, wherein the support structure includes multiple vertically extending protrusions. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) The single speed electric beam axle system of claim 7, wherein the first and second final drive gear reductions are formed from multiple helical gears.