# US 12,600,215 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 12,600,215 B2 - Document ID: US12600215B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/304,908 - Filed: 2023-04-21 - Published: 2024-10-24 - Granted: 2026-04-14 - Earliest claimed: 2023-04-21 - Assignees: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC - Applicants: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC - Inventors: Eric M. Engerman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12600215B2 ## CPC - 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 17/16: of differential gearing - B60K 2001/001: {one motor mounted on a propulsion axle for rotating right and left wheels of this axle} - 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 ## Abstract Systems and method for an electric axle assembly. The electric axle assembly includes, in one example, an electric machine rotationally coupled to a planetary differential and a first and second axle shaft directly rotationally coupled to the planetary differential. In the axle assembly, the second axle shaft is longer than the first axle shaft and the electric machine is positioned laterally between a first drive wheel shaft and a second drive wheel shaft that are rotationally coupled to the first axle shaft and the second axle shaft. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electric axle assembly comprising: an electric machine rotationally coupled to a planetary differential, wherein a first gear and a second gear are positioned at opposite ends of the electric machine, and wherein a length of the electric machine extends between the first gear and the second gear; and a first axle shaft and a second axle shaft directly rotationally coupled to the planetary differential; wherein the second axle shaft is longer than the first axle shaft, wherein the second axle shaft passes along a longitudinal side of the electric machine without passing through the electric machine; wherein the electric machine is positioned laterally between a first drive wheel shaft and a second drive wheel shaft that are rotationally coupled to the first axle shaft and the second axle shaft; and wherein rotational axes of the first and second drive wheel shafts are offset from rotational axes of the first and second axle shafts. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electric axle assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a first wheel end gear reduction directly coupled to the first axle shaft and the first drive wheel shaft; and a second wheel end gear reduction directly coupled to the second axle shaft and the second drive wheel shaft, and wherein the longitudinal side of the electric machine along which the second axle shaft passes is a rearward longitudinal side of the electric machine. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The electric axle assembly of claim 2, wherein the first and second wheel end gear reductions are final drive gear reductions. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The electric axle assembly of claim 2, further comprising a housing that at least partially encloses the electric machine, the planetary differential, and the first and second wheel end gear reductions, wherein the housing includes multiple access panels that provide access to the first and second wheel end gear reductions, wherein the planetary differential is the only planetary device of the electric axle assembly. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The electric axle assembly of claim 1, wherein a rotational axis of the electric machine is axially offset from rotational axes of the first and second drive wheel shafts. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The electric axle assembly of claim 1, further comprising a support structure at least partially enclosing the electric machine and the planetary differential, wherein the support structure includes vertically extending protrusions that each include a wheel end gear reduction. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The electric axle assembly of claim 1, wherein the electric axle assembly is a front axle assembly. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The electric axle assembly of claim 1, wherein the electric axle assembly is a single speed electric axle. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The electric axle assembly of claim 1, wherein the electric axle assembly is included in a hybrid powertrain, and wherein the second axle shaft is coupled to the planetary differential. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The electric axle assembly of claim 9, wherein a lubricant reservoir of an internal combustion lubrication system is positioned above the electric machine and the second axle shaft. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The electric axle assembly of claim 1, wherein a gear reduction rotationally couples the electric machine and the planetary differential and a gear in the gear reduction is an input gear for the planetary differential and the gear is fixedly coupled to a ring gear in the planetary differential. ### Claim 12 An electric drive assembly, comprising: an electric axle comprising: an electric machine rotationally coupled to a planetary differential via a gear reduction; wherein the planetary differential is directly rotationally coupled to a first axle shaft and a second axle shaft, wherein the second axle shaft is positioned on a rearward longitudinal side of the electric machine without passing through the electric machine and is longer than the first axle shaft, wherein a first end of the second axle shaft is coupled to a first gear, wherein a second end of the second axle shaft is coupled to a second gear, and wherein the first gear and the second gear are positioned at opposite ends of the electric machine; and a first wheel end gear reduction rotationally coupling the first axle shaft with a first drive wheel shaft; and a second wheel end gear reduction rotationally coupling the second axle shaft with a second drive wheel shaft. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The electric drive assembly of claim 12, wherein rotational axes of the first and second drive wheel shafts are offset from and parallel to a rotational axis of the electric machine, and wherein the second axle shaft passes along the rearward longitudinal side of the electric machine outside of the electric machine. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The electric drive assembly of claim 12, wherein the electric axle is a front axle and wherein the second axle shaft is positioned behind the electric machine. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The electric drive assembly of claim 14, wherein the electric drive assembly is included in a hybrid powertrain that includes an internal combustion engine and a lubricant reservoir that is positioned above one of the first and second axle shafts and the electric machine. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The electric drive assembly of claim 12, wherein a ring gear of the planetary differential is at least partially positioned axially between the electric machine and a gear in the first wheel end gear reduction. ### Claim 17 A single speed electric beam axle, comprising: a traction motor rotationally coupled to a planetary differential via a gear reduction wherein a first gear and a second gear are positioned at opposite ends of the traction motor, and wherein a length of the traction motor extends between the first gear and the second gear; wherein the planetary differential is directly rotationally coupled to a first axle shaft and a second axle shaft, and where the second axle shaft is longer that the first axle shaft and passes along a longitudinal side of the traction motor without passing through the traction motor, and wherein a first end of the second axle shaft is coupled to the first gear, wherein a second end of the second axle shaft is coupled to the second gear; a first wheel end gear reduction directly rotationally coupled to the first axle shaft; and a second wheel end gear reduction directly rotationally coupled to the second axle shaft; wherein the traction motor is positioned laterally between a first drive wheel shaft and a second drive wheel shaft that are each rotationally coupled to one of the first and second wheel end gear reductions; and wherein rotational axes of the first and second drive wheel shafts are offset from and parallel to a rotational axis of the traction motor. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The single speed electric beam axle of claim 17, further comprising a support structure at least partially enclosing the traction motor and the planetary differential and a lubricant reservoir which is coupled to the support structure and positioned above the second axle shaft and the traction motor. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The single speed electric beam axle of claim 17, wherein the single speed electric beam axle is a front axle that is included in a hybrid powertrain, and wherein the second axle shaft is adjacent the longitudinal side of the electric machine. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The single speed electric beam axle of claim 19, wherein a lubricant reservoir of the hybrid powertrain is positioned below the traction motor and the second axle shaft.