# US 12,766,936 B2 · Electric drive assembly, four-wheel drive system, and vehicle

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- Number: US 12,766,936 B2
- Document ID: US12766936B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/383,586
- Filed: 2023-10-25
- Published: 2024-02-15
- Granted: 2026-10-20
- Earliest claimed: 2021-06-30
- Assignees: BYD Company Limited
- Applicants: BYD Company Limited
- Inventors: Dongsheng Yang; Shenglin Yang; Yuan Gao; Xiaosong Zou; Jinpeng Li
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12766936B2

## CPC

- B60K 1/02: comprising more than one electric motor
- B60K 17/04: characterised by arrangement, location or kind of gearing
- B60K 17/354: having separate mechanical assemblies for transmitting drive to the front or to the rear wheels or set of wheels
- B60K 17/356: having fluid or electric motor, for driving one or more wheels
- B60K 2007/0061: {the motor axle being parallel to the wheel axle}
- F16H 2200/0021: specially adapted for electric vehicles
- 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
- F16H: GEARING

## Abstract

An electric drive assembly has a first wheel drive assembly and a second wheel drive assembly. The first wheel drive assembly includes a first motor, a first gear reduction mechanism, and a first disengaging mechanism. When the first disengaging mechanism is switched to an engagement position of the first disengaging mechanism, power of the first motor is transmitted to a first wheel through the first gear reduction mechanism. The second wheel drive assembly includes a second motor, a second gear reduction mechanism, and a second disengaging mechanism. When the second disengaging mechanism is switched to an engagement position of the second disengaging mechanism, power of the second motor is transmitted to a second wheel through the second gear reduction mechanism. When the first disengaging mechanism or the second disengaging mechanism is switched to a disengagement position, the power of the motors to the corresponding wheels is interrupted.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An electric drive assembly, comprising a first wheel drive assembly configured to drive a first wheel and a second wheel drive assembly configured to drive a second wheel, one of the first wheel and the second wheel being a left side wheel, and the other one of the first wheel and the second wheel being a right side wheel;
the first wheel drive assembly comprising a first motor, a first gear reduction mechanism, and a first disengaging mechanism; the first gear reduction mechanism being connected between the first motor and the first wheel; the first disengaging mechanism being configured to switch between an engagement position and a disengagement position of the first disengaging mechanism; when the first disengaging mechanism is switched to the engagement position of the first disengaging mechanism, power of the first motor being transmitted to the first wheel through the first gear reduction mechanism; and when the first disengaging mechanism is switched to the disengagement position of the first disengaging mechanism, power transmission between the first motor and the first wheel being interrupted; and
the second wheel drive assembly comprising a second motor, a second gear reduction mechanism, and a second disengaging mechanism; the second gear reduction mechanism being connected between the second motor and the second wheel; the second disengaging mechanism being configured to switch between an engagement position and a disengagement position of the second disengaging mechanism; when the second disengaging mechanism is switched to the engagement position of the second disengaging mechanism, power of the second motor being transmitted to the second wheel through the second gear reduction mechanism; and when the second disengaging mechanism is switched to the disengagement position of the second disengaging mechanism, power transmission between the second motor and the second wheel being interrupted, wherein
a first planet gear mechanism is disposed between the first gear reduction mechanism and a wheel shaft of the first wheel, and a second planet gear mechanism is disposed between the second gear reduction mechanism and a wheel shaft of the second wheel;
a gear ring of the first planet gear mechanism is connected to an output end of the first gear reduction mechanism, and a planet carrier of the first planet gear mechanism is connected to the wheel shaft of the first wheel; or a sun gear of the first planet gear mechanism is connected to an output end of the first gear reduction mechanism, and a planet carrier of the first planet gear mechanism is connected to the wheel shaft of the first wheel; and
a gear ring of the second planet gear mechanism is connected to an output end of the second gear reduction mechanism, and a planet carrier of the second planet gear mechanism is connected to the wheel shaft of the second wheel; or a sun gear of the second planet gear mechanism is connected to an output end of the second gear reduction mechanism, and a planet carrier of the second planet gear mechanism is connected to the wheel shaft of the second wheel.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The electric drive assembly according to claim 1, wherein
the engagement position of the first disengaging mechanism comprises a first engagement position of the first disengaging mechanism and a second engagement position of the first disengaging mechanism, when the first disengaging mechanism is switched to the first engagement position of the first disengaging mechanism, the power of the first motor is transmitted to the first wheel through a first gear transmission path of the first gear reduction mechanism, and when the first disengaging mechanism is switched to the second engagement position of the first disengaging mechanism, the power of the first motor is transmitted to the first wheel through a second gear transmission path of the first gear reduction mechanism; and
the engagement position of the second disengaging mechanism comprises a first engagement position of the second disengaging mechanism and a second engagement position of the second disengaging mechanism, when the second disengaging mechanism is switched to the first engagement position of the second disengaging mechanism, the power of the second motor is transmitted to the second wheel through a first gear transmission path of the second gear reduction mechanism, and when the second disengaging mechanism is switched to the second engagement position of the second disengaging mechanism, the power of the second motor is transmitted to the second wheel through a second gear transmission path of the second gear reduction mechanism.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The electric drive assembly according to claim 1, wherein
a locking mechanism is disposed between the first wheel drive assembly and the second wheel drive assembly, and the locking mechanism is configured to switch between an engagement position and a disengagement position of the locking mechanism,
when the locking mechanism is switched to the engagement position of the locking mechanism, the first motor is in power coupling with the second motor, and when the locking mechanism is switched to the disengagement position of the locking mechanism, the power coupling between the first motor and the second motor is interrupted.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The electric drive assembly according to claim 2, wherein
the first motor and the second motor are disposed in parallel; and
one of the first motor and the second motor is parallel to and spaced from a wheel shaft of a corresponding wheel and partially overlaps a projection of the wheel shaft of the corresponding wheel in a left-right direction, or one of the first motor and the second motor is coaxial with a wheel shaft of a corresponding wheel.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The electric drive assembly according to claim 4, wherein
a motor shaft of the first motor is configured to provide a first single-ended output, a motor shaft of the second motor is configured to provide a second single-ended output, and a locking mechanism is disposed between a wheel shaft of the first wheel and a wheel shaft of the second wheel;
when the locking mechanism is switched to an engagement position of the locking mechanism, the wheel shaft of the first wheel is connected to the wheel shaft of the second wheel, and the first motor is in power coupling with the second motor; and
when the locking mechanism is switched to a disengagement position of the locking mechanism, the wheel shaft of the first wheel is disconnected from the wheel shaft of the second wheel, and the power coupling between the first motor and the second motor is interrupted.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The electric drive assembly according to claim 4, wherein
a motor shaft of the first motor is configured to provide a double-ended output, a motor shaft of the second motor is configured to provide a single-ended output, and a locking mechanism is disposed at a second output end of the motor shaft of the first motor, wherein a first output end of the motor shaft of the first motor is in transmission connection to the first wheel through the first gear reduction mechanism, and an output end of the motor shaft of the second motor is in transmission connection to the second wheel through the second gear reduction mechanism;
when the locking mechanism is switched to an engagement position of the locking mechanism, the second output end of the motor shaft of the first motor is in transmission connection to the second gear reduction mechanism, and the first motor is in power coupling with the second motor; and
when the locking mechanism is switched to a disengagement position of the locking mechanism, the second output end of the motor shaft of the first motor is disconnected from the second gear reduction mechanism, and the power coupling between the first motor and the second motor is interrupted.

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

The electric drive assembly according to claim 4, wherein
a motor shaft of the first motor is configured to provide a first double-ended output, a motor shaft of the second motor is configured to provide a second double-ended output, and a locking mechanism comprises a first locking mechanism and a second locking mechanism, wherein a first output end of the motor shaft of the first motor is in transmission connection to the first wheel through the first gear reduction mechanism, a second output end of the motor shaft of the first motor is connected to the second gear reduction mechanism through the first locking mechanism, a first output end of the motor shaft of the second motor is in transmission connection to the second wheel through the second gear reduction mechanism, and a second output end of the motor shaft of the second motor is connected to the first gear reduction mechanism through the second locking mechanism;
when the first locking mechanism is switched to an engagement position of the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism is switched to an engagement position of the second locking mechanism, the second output end of the motor shaft of the first motor is in transmission connection to the second gear reduction mechanism and drives the second wheel, the second output end of the motor shaft of the second motor is in transmission connection to the first gear reduction mechanism and drives the first wheel, and the first motor is in power coupling with the second motor, to drive the first wheel and the second wheel;
when the first locking mechanism is switched to the engagement position of the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism is switched to a disengagement position of the second locking mechanism, the second output end of the motor shaft of the first motor is in transmission connection to the second gear reduction mechanism and drives the second wheel, the second output end of the motor shaft of the second motor is disconnected from the first gear reduction mechanism, and the first motor is in power coupling with the second motor, to drive the second wheel;
when the first locking mechanism is switched to a disengagement position of the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism is switched to the engagement position of the second locking mechanism, the second output end of the motor shaft of the second motor is in transmission connection to the first gear reduction mechanism, the second output end of the motor shaft of the first motor is disconnected from the second gear reduction mechanism, and the first motor is in power coupling with the second motor, to drive the first wheel; and
when the first locking mechanism is switched to the disengagement position of the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism is switched to the disengagement position of the second locking mechanism, the second output end of the motor shaft of the first motor is disconnected from the second gear reduction mechanism, the second output end of the motor shaft of the second motor is disconnected from the first gear reduction mechanism, and the power coupling between the first motor and the second motor is interrupted.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The electric drive assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first motor and the second motor are coaxially disposed, and the first gear reduction mechanism and the second gear reduction mechanism are located between the first motor and the second motor.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The electric drive assembly according to claim 8, wherein
a motor shaft of the first motor is configured to provide a first single-ended output, a motor shaft of the second motor is configured to provide a second single-ended output, a locking mechanism is disposed between a wheel shaft of the first wheel and a wheel shaft of the second wheel, and the locking mechanism is configured to switch between an engagement position of the locking mechanism and a disengagement position of the locking mechanism,
when the locking mechanism is switched to the engagement position of the locking mechanism, the wheel shaft of the first wheel is connected to the wheel shaft of the second wheel, and the first motor is in power coupling with the second motor, and
when the locking mechanism is switched to the disengagement position of the locking mechanism, the wheel shaft of the first wheel is disconnected from the wheel shaft of the second wheel, and the power coupling between the first motor and the second motor is interrupted.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The electric drive assembly according to claim 1, wherein a wheel shaft of the first wheel and a wheel shaft of the second wheel are coaxial, the first motor, the second motor, and the wheel shaft of the first wheel are parallel to and spaced from each other, and the first motor, the second motor, and the wheel shaft of the first wheel are disposed in a triangle.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The electric drive assembly according to claim 10, wherein
a motor shaft of the first motor is configured to provide a first single-ended output, a motor shaft of the second motor is configured to provide a second single-ended output, a locking mechanism is disposed between a wheel shaft of the first wheel and a wheel shaft of the second wheel, and the locking mechanism is configured to switch between an engagement position and a disengagement position of the locking mechanism,
when the locking mechanism is switched to the engagement position of the locking mechanism, the wheel shaft of the first wheel is connected to the wheel shaft of the second wheel, and the first motor is in power coupling with the second motor, and
when the locking mechanism is switched to the disengagement position of the locking mechanism, the wheel shaft of the first wheel is disconnected from the wheel shaft of the second wheel, and the power coupling between the first motor and the second motor is interrupted.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The electric drive assembly according to claim 10, wherein
a motor shaft of the first motor is configured to provide a double-ended output, a motor shaft of the second motor is configured to provide a single-ended output, and a locking mechanism is disposed at a second output end of the motor shaft of the first motor, wherein a first output end of the motor shaft of the first motor is in transmission connection to the first wheel through the first gear reduction mechanism, and an output end of the motor shaft of the second motor is in transmission connection to the second wheel through the second gear reduction mechanism;
when the locking mechanism is switched to an engagement position of the locking mechanism, the second output end of the motor shaft of the first motor is in transmission connection to the second gear reduction mechanism, and the first motor is in power coupling with the second motor; and
when the locking mechanism is switched to a disengagement position of the locking mechanism, the second output end of the motor shaft of the first motor is disconnected from the second gear reduction mechanism, and the power coupling between the first motor and the second motor is interrupted.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The electric drive assembly according to claim 10, wherein
a motor shaft of the first motor is configured to provide a first double-ended output, a motor shaft of the second motor is configured to provide a second double-ended output, and a locking mechanism comprises a first locking mechanism and a second locking mechanism, wherein a first output end of the motor shaft of the first motor is in transmission connection to the first wheel through the first gear reduction mechanism, a second output end of the motor shaft of the first motor is connected to the second gear reduction mechanism through the first locking mechanism, a first output end of the motor shaft of the second motor is in transmission connection to the second wheel through the second gear reduction mechanism, and a second output end of the motor shaft of the second motor is connected to the first gear reduction mechanism through the second locking mechanism;
when the first locking mechanism is switched to an engagement position of the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism is switched to an engagement position of the second locking mechanism, the second output end of the motor shaft of the first motor is in transmission connection to the second gear reduction mechanism and drives the second wheel, the second output end of the motor shaft of the second motor is in transmission connection to the first gear reduction mechanism and drives the first wheel, and the first motor is in power coupling with the second motor, to drive the first wheel and the second wheel;
when the first locking mechanism is switched to the engagement position of the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism is switched to a disengagement position of the second locking mechanism, the second output end of the motor shaft of the first motor is in transmission connection to the second gear reduction mechanism and drives the second wheel, the second output end of the motor shaft of the second motor is disconnected from the first gear reduction mechanism, and the first motor is in power coupling with the second motor, to drive the second wheel;
when the first locking mechanism is switched to a disengagement position of the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism is switched to the engagement position of the second locking mechanism, the second output end of the motor shaft of the second motor is in transmission connection to the first gear reduction mechanism, the second output end of the motor shaft of the first motor is disconnected from the second gear reduction mechanism, and the first motor is in power coupling with the second motor, to drive the first wheel; and
when the first locking mechanism is switched to the disengagement position of the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism is switched to the disengagement position of the second locking mechanism, the second output end of the motor shaft of the first motor is disconnected from the second gear reduction mechanism, the second output end of the motor shaft of the second motor is disconnected from the first gear reduction mechanism, and the power coupling between the first motor and the second motor is interrupted.

### Claim 14 (depends on 6)

The electric drive assembly according to claim 6, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a synchronizer integrating with a one-way clutch.

### Claim 15

A four-wheel drive system, comprising a front drive bridge, a rear drive bridge, an electric drive assembly being disposed on the front drive bridge and the rear drive bridge, wherein the electric drive assembly comprises:
a first wheel drive assembly configured to drive a first wheel and a second wheel drive assembly configured to drive a second wheel, one of the first wheel and the second wheel being a left side wheel, and the other one of the first wheel and the second wheel being a right side wheel;
the first wheel drive assembly comprising a first motor, a first gear reduction mechanism, and a first disengaging mechanism; the first gear reduction mechanism being connected between the first motor and the first wheel; the first disengaging mechanism being configured to switch between an engagement position and a disengagement position of the first disengaging mechanism; when the first disengaging mechanism is switched to the engagement position of the first disengaging mechanism, power of the first motor being transmitted to the first wheel through the first gear reduction mechanism; and when the first disengaging mechanism is switched to the disengagement position of the first disengaging mechanism, power transmission between the first motor and the first wheel being interrupted; and
the second wheel drive assembly comprising a second motor, a second gear reduction mechanism, and a second disengaging mechanism; the second gear reduction mechanism being connected between the second motor and the second wheel; the second disengaging mechanism being configured to switch between an engagement position and a disengagement position of the second disengaging mechanism; when the second disengaging mechanism is switched to the engagement position of the second disengaging mechanism, power of the second motor being transmitted to the second wheel through the second gear reduction mechanism; and when the second disengaging mechanism is switched to the disengagement position of the second disengaging mechanism, power transmission between the second motor and the second wheel being interrupted, wherein
the first motor and the second motor are disposed in parallel; and
one of the first motor and the second motor is parallel to and spaced from a wheel shaft of a corresponding wheel and partially overlaps a projection of the wheel shaft of the corresponding wheel in a left-right direction, or one of the first motor and the second motor is coaxial with a wheel shaft of a corresponding wheel.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The four-wheel drive system according to claim 15, wherein
the engagement position of the first disengaging mechanism comprises a first engagement position of the first disengaging mechanism and a second engagement position of the first disengaging mechanism, when the first disengaging mechanism is switched to the first engagement position of the first disengaging mechanism, the power of the first motor is transmitted to the first wheel through a first gear transmission path of the first gear reduction mechanism, and when the first disengaging mechanism is switched to the second engagement position of the first disengaging mechanism, the power of the first motor is transmitted to the first wheel through a second gear transmission path of the first gear reduction mechanism; and
the engagement position of the second disengaging mechanism comprises a first engagement position of the second disengaging mechanism and a second engagement position of the second disengaging mechanism, when the second disengaging mechanism is switched to the first engagement position of the second disengaging mechanism, the power of the second motor is transmitted to the second wheel through a first gear transmission path of the second gear reduction mechanism, and when the second disengaging mechanism is switched to the second engagement position of the second disengaging mechanism, the power of the second motor is transmitted to the second wheel through a second gear transmission path of the second gear reduction mechanism.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The four-wheel drive system according to claim 15, wherein
a locking mechanism is disposed between the first wheel drive assembly and the second wheel drive assembly, and the locking mechanism is configured to switch between an engagement position and a disengagement position of the locking mechanism,
when the locking mechanism is switched to the engagement position of the locking mechanism, the first motor is in power coupling with the second motor, and when the locking mechanism is switched to the disengagement position of the locking mechanism, the power coupling between the first motor and the second motor is interrupted.

### Claim 18

A vehicle, comprising a four-wheel drive system comprising a front drive bridge, a rear drive bridge, an electric drive assembly being disposed on the front drive bridge and the rear drive bridge, wherein the electric drive assembly comprises:
a first wheel drive assembly configured to drive a first wheel and a second wheel drive assembly configured to drive a second wheel, one of the first wheel and the second wheel being a left side wheel, and the other one of the first wheel and the second wheel being a right side wheel;
the first wheel drive assembly comprising a first motor, a first gear reduction mechanism, and a first disengaging mechanism; the first gear reduction mechanism being connected between the first motor and the first wheel; the first disengaging mechanism being configured to switch between an engagement position and a disengagement position of the first disengaging mechanism; when the first disengaging mechanism is switched to the engagement position of the first disengaging mechanism, power of the first motor being transmitted to the first wheel through the first gear reduction mechanism; and when the first disengaging mechanism is switched to the disengagement position of the first disengaging mechanism, power transmission between the first motor and the first wheel being interrupted; and
the second wheel drive assembly comprising a second motor, a second gear reduction mechanism, and a second disengaging mechanism; the second gear reduction mechanism being connected between the second motor and the second wheel; the second disengaging mechanism being configured to switch between an engagement position and a disengagement position of the second disengaging mechanism; when the second disengaging mechanism is switched to the engagement position of the second disengaging mechanism, power of the second motor being transmitted to the second wheel through the second gear reduction mechanism; and when the second disengaging mechanism is switched to the disengagement position of the second disengaging mechanism, power transmission between the second motor and the second wheel being interrupted, wherein
the first motor and the second motor are coaxially disposed, and the first gear reduction mechanism and the second gear reduction mechanism are located between the first motor and the second motor,
a motor shaft of the first motor is configured to provide a first single-ended output, a motor shaft of the second motor is configured to provide a second single-ended output, a locking mechanism is disposed between a wheel shaft of the first wheel and a wheel shaft of the second wheel, and the locking mechanism is configured to switch between an engagement position of the locking mechanism and a disengagement position of the locking mechanism,
when the locking mechanism is switched to the engagement position of the locking mechanism, the wheel shaft of the first wheel is connected to the wheel shaft of the second wheel, and the first motor is in power coupling with the second motor, and
when the locking mechanism is switched to the disengagement position of the locking mechanism, the wheel shaft of the first wheel is disconnected from the wheel shaft of the second wheel, and the power coupling between the first motor and the second motor is interrupted.