Dual gearbox central bearing layout
AssigneeRivian IP Holdings, LLC
InventorsJefferey Ziemba, Eric Sharkness
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods are presented herein for an interface that reduces loads transferred across the interface, wherein the interface couples a pair of independently actuated rotating shafts. A first tapered bearing is coupled to a first rotating shaft. A second tapered bearing is coupled to a second rotating shaft. A central bearing is arranged between the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft. The first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft are preloaded against each other through the central bearing. The central bearing enables the forces generated by one rotating shaft to oppose and cancel out the forces generated by the second rotating shaft.
Claims19
A gearbox assembly comprising:
- a first tapered bearing coupled to a first rotating shaft;
- a second tapered bearing coupled to a second rotating shaft;
- and
- a central bearing arranged concentric to the first rotating shaft or the second rotating shaft, wherein:
- the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft are preloaded against each other through the central bearing based on an arrangement of a shim that contacts an external surface of the central bearing and contacts an external surface of one of the first tapered bearing or the second tapered bearing.
A dual motor powertrain comprising:
- a first motor coupled to a first gearbox assembly, the first gearbox assembly comprising:
- a first rotating shaft that is rotated based on operation of the first motor, and
- a first tapered bearing coupled to the first rotating shaft;
- and
- a second motor coupled to a second gearbox assembly, the second gearbox assembly comprising:
- a second rotating shaft that is rotated based on operation of the second motor, and
- a second tapered bearing coupled to the second rotating shaft;
- wherein:
- a coupling interface is arranged between axial ends of the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft,
- the coupling interface comprises a shim in contact with a central bearing;
- the central bearing is arranged concentric to the first rotating shaft or the second rotating shaft;
- the coupling interface is configured to at least partially cancel axial loads generated by each of the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft;
- and
- the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft are preloaded against each other through the central bearing based on an arrangement of the shim such that the shim contacts an external surface of the central bearing and contacts an external surface of one of the first tapered bearing or the second tapered bearing.
A method of assembling a gearbox assembly configured to reduce transferred loads generated by coupled rotating shafts comprising:
- arranging a shim concentric to an end of a first rotating shaft, wherein a first tapered bearing is coupled to the first rotating shaft;
- arranging a central bearing concentric to the first rotating shaft or a second rotating shaft, wherein a second tapered bearing is coupled to the second rotating shaft;
- and
- coupling the end of the first rotating shaft to the end of the second rotating shaft at an interface such that a surface of the central bearing contacts and generates a preload against an opposing surface of the shim, wherein:
- the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft are preloaded against each other through the central bearing based on an arrangement of the shim,
- the shim is arranged to contact an external surface of the central bearing, and
- the shim is arranged to contact an external surface of one of the first tapered bearing or the second tapered bearing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.