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US 12,479,509 B2Granted
Land vehicles incorporating removable powertrain units, powertrain units, and methods therefor
AssigneeWorkhorse Group Inc.
InventorDonald L. Wires
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In certain embodiments, land vehicles are provided as delivery vehicles and/or utility vehicles. A land vehicle includes a frame structure having a front cage that defines an operator cabin and a rear floor positioned rearward of the front cage. The frame structure supports a plurality of wheels to permit movement of the vehicle relative to an underlying surface in use of the land vehicle. An underside of the frame structure is disposed in confronting relation with the underlying surface.
Claims20
An electric vehicle comprising:
- a frame structure including an underside and a first pair of sidewalls extending outwardly away from the underside that are arranged adjacent opposite sides of the frame structure in a lateral direction,
- at least one powertrain unit including at least one electric motor affixed to a cradle that is removably attached to the underside of the frame structure in a location spaced from the first pair of sidewalls,
- wherein:
- the cradle is secured to the underside of the frame structure such that the underside of the frame structure is in flush contact with the cradle in the lateral direction from a first end of the cradle to a second end of the cradle opposite the first end, and
- the at least one powertrain unit includes a first axle coupled to the at least one electric motor such that the first axle is arranged entirely outside of an open tray of the cradle.
2 more elements
An electric vehicle comprising:
- a frame structure including an underside, a first pair of sidewalls extending outwardly away from the underside that are arranged adjacent opposite sides of the frame structure in a lateral direction, and a second pair of sidewalls extending outwardly away from the underside that are arranged adjacent opposite sides of the frame structure in the lateral direction and positioned adjacent the first pair of sidewalls in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the lateral direction,
- at least one powertrain unit including at least one electric motor affixed to a cradle that is removably attached to the underside of the frame structure in a location spaced from the first pair of sidewalls and the second pair of sidewalls,
- wherein:
- the cradle is secured to the underside of the frame structure such that the underside of the frame structure is in flush contact with the cradle in the lateral direction from a first end of the cradle to a second end of the cradle opposite the first end, and
- the at least one powertrain unit includes a first axle coupled to the at least one electric motor such that the first axle is arranged entirely outside of an open tray of the cradle.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.