Rotor shaft system with increased stiffness
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsJohn Miller, Shawn H. Swales, Edward L. Kaiser, Travis M. Thompson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A rotor shaft system for a vehicle includes a rotor shaft having a first shaft end opposite a second shaft end. The rotor shaft has a first segment and a second segment defined between the first shaft end and the second shaft end. The rotor shaft system includes a shaft gear coupled to the rotor shaft between the first shaft end and the first segment, and a shaft sleeve coupled to the first segment so as to surround a portion of the shaft gear. The rotor shaft system includes a lubrication system defined at least partially through the rotor shaft and the shaft sleeve. The lubrication system is to supply a fluid to at least a portion of the rotor shaft and the shaft sleeve.
Claims20
A rotor shaft system for a vehicle, comprising:
- a rotor shaft including a first shaft end opposite a second shaft end and having a first segment and a second segment defined between the first shaft end and the second shaft end;
- a rotor of an electric motor including end rings and disposed on the second segment of the rotor shaft;
- a shaft gear coupled to the rotor shaft between the first shaft end and the first segment, wherein the shaft gear is on an opposite side of the first segment from the rotor;
- a shaft sleeve coupled on the first segment and surrounding a portion of the shaft gear, the shaft sleeve having a first end and a second end;
- and
- a lubrication system defined at least partially through the rotor shaft and the shaft sleeve, the lubrication system configured to supply a fluid to at least a portion of the rotor shaft and the shaft sleeve,
- wherein the shaft sleeve extends over the shaft gear with the first end overlaps and is disposed about the shaft gear,
- wherein the second end is disposed in contact with one of the end rings.
A vehicle, comprising:
- an electric motor including a rotor with magnetic elements contained between end rings;
- and
- a rotor shaft system coupled to the electric motor, the rotor shaft system including:
- a rotor shaft including a first shaft end opposite a second shaft end and having a first segment and a second segment defined between the first shaft end and the second shaft end, the second segment coupled to the rotor, wherein the rotor is disposed on the second segment of the rotor shaft;
- a shaft gear defined on the rotor shaft between the first shaft end and the first segment, wherein the shaft gear is on an opposite side of the first segment from the rotor;
- a shaft sleeve coupled on the first segment so as to be disposed between the shaft gear and the rotor, and the shaft sleeve surrounding a portion of the shaft gear, the shaft sleeve having a first end and a second end;
- a shaft collar coupled to the second segment between the rotor and the second shaft end, and the shaft collar is configured to clamp the rotor and the shaft sleeve to the rotor shaft;
- and
- a lubrication system defined through a portion of the rotor shaft and the shaft sleeve, the lubrication system configured to supply a fluid to at least the portion of the rotor shaft, the shaft sleeve and the electric motor,
- wherein the shaft sleeve extends over the shaft gear with the first end overlaps and is disposed about the shaft gear,
- wherein the second end is disposed in contact with one of the end rings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.