# US 2013/0240282 A1 · Electric Drive Axle Configuration > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0240282 A1 - Document ID: US20130240282A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/418,394 - Filed: 2012-03-13 - Published: 2013-09-19 - Earliest claimed: 2012-03-13 - Assignees: Deere & Company - Inventors: Reginald M. Bindl - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130240282A1 ## CPC - B62D 9/04: combined with means for {inwardly} inclining wheels on bends (B62D9/02 takes precedence) - B60K 7/00: Disposition of motor in, or adjacent to, traction wheel - E02F 3/7663: {Graders with the scraper blade mounted under a frame supported by wheels, or the like} - F16H 1/22: with a plurality of driving or driven shafts; with arrangements for dividing torque between two or more intermediate shafts - B60K 7/0007: {the motor being electric} - B60K 17/043: {Transmission unit disposed in on near the vehicle wheel, or between the differential gear unit and the wheel} - B60K 17/306: {with a universal joint in the axis of the steering knuckle} - B60K 2007/0053: {the motor moving relative to the vehicle body and to the wheel axle} - B60Y 2200/411: Bulldozers, Graders - Y10T 74/19019: Plural power paths from prime mover - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - 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 - E02F: DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING (winning peat E21C49/00) - F16H: GEARING - B60Y: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract The present disclosure provides a front axle of a vehicle including a motor disposed near the center of the axle and a shaft coupled at one end thereof to the motor, where the shaft defines a first axis. A first gear is coupled to a second gear, the first gear being coupled to the shaft at an end opposite the motor and being disposed along the first axis. The second gear is disposed along a second axis, where the first axis and second axis are substantially parallel to but spaced from one another. A steering pivot defines a steering axis about which a final drive assembly pivots and a wheel lean pivot defines a lean axis about which the final drive pivots. The lean axis is substantially perpendicular to the steering axis. A constant-velocity joint is disposed at the intersection of the steering axis and lean axis. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A front axle of a vehicle, comprising: a motor disposed near the center of the axle; a shaft coupled at one end thereof to the motor, where the shaft defines a first axis; a first gear coupled to a second gear, the first gear being coupled to the shaft at an end opposite the motor and being disposed along the first axis; the second gear disposed along a second axis, where the first axis and second axis are substantially parallel to but spaced from one another; a final drive assembly coupled to the second gear at one end of the axle; a steering pivot defining a steering axis about which the final drive assembly pivots; a wheel lean pivot defining a lean axis about which the final drive pivots, the lean axis being substantially perpendicular to the steering axis; and a constant-velocity joint disposed at the intersection of the steering axis and lean axis. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The front axle of claim 1, wherein the motor is an electric motor. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The front axle of claim 1, further comprising a second motor disposed adjacent the first motor near the center of the axle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The front axle of claim 3, further comprising: a second final drive assembly disposed at an end of the axle opposite the first drive assembly, the second final drive assembly being pivotal about a second steering axis and a second lean axis; and a second constant-velocity joint disposed at the intersection of the second steering axis and second lean axis. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The front axle of claim 4, wherein the second motor is disposed along the first axis and the second final drive assembly is disposed along the second axis. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The front axle of claim 1, wherein the steering axis is substantially perpendicular to the first and second axes. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The front axle of claim 1, wherein the first gear is integrally coupled to the shaft. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The front axle of claim 1, wherein the diameter of the first gear is approximately 0.25-0.75 the diameter of the second gear. ### Claim 9 A front axle for a motor grader, the front axle having a first end and a second end, comprising: an electric motor disposed near the center of the front axle; a shaft coupled at one end to the motor; a portal gearset including a first gear coupled to a second gear, the first gear being coupled to the shaft at an end opposite the motor; a final drive assembly disposed at the first end and second end of the axle, the final drive assembly being coupled to the second gear and configured to couple to a front wheel; a steering pivot about which the final drive pivots, the steering pivot defining a steering axis; a wheel lean pivot defining a lean axis about which the final drive pivots, the lean axis being perpendicular to the steering axis; and a constant-velocity joint disposed at the intersection of the steering axis and lean axis. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The front axle of claim 9, wherein the diameter of the second gear is approximately twice the diameter of the first gear. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The front axle of claim 9, wherein the first gear is integrally coupled to the shaft. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The front axle of claim 9, wherein the first gear is disposed along a first axis and the second gear is disposed along a second axis, the first axis and second axis being substantially parallel to but offset from one another. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The front axle of claim 12, wherein the steering axis is substantially perpendicular to the first and second axes. ### Claim 14 An electric drive motor grader, comprising: a front frame and a rear frame; a first axle and a second axle, the first axle being coupled to the front frame and the second axle being coupled to the rear frame; an electric motor disposed near the center of the first axle and a shaft coupled to the motor; a portal gearset including a first gear coupled to a second gear, the first gear being coupled to the shaft at an end opposite the motor; a final drive assembly disposed at the first end and second end of the first axle, the final drive assembly being coupled to the second gear and configured to couple to a front wheel; a steering pivot about which the final drive pivots, the steering pivot defining a steering axis; a wheel lean pivot defining a lean axis about which the final drive pivots, the lean axis being perpendicular to the steering axis; and a constant-velocity joint disposed at the intersection of the steering axis and lean axis. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The motor grader of claim 14, further comprising a second electric motor disposed adjacent the first motor near the center of the first axle. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The motor grader of claim 15, further comprising: a second final drive assembly disposed at an end of the first axle opposite the first drive assembly, the second final drive assembly being pivotal about a second steering axis and a second lean axis; and a second constant-velocity joint disposed at the intersection of the second steering axis and second lean axis. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The motor grader of claim 16, wherein the first gear is disposed along a first axis and the second gear is disposed along a second axis, the first axis and second axis being substantially parallel to but offset from one another. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The motor grader of claim 17, wherein the first and second electric motors are disposed along the first axis and the first and second constant-velocity joints are disposed along the second axis. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The motor grader of claim 17, wherein the steering axis is substantially perpendicular to the first and second axes. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The motor grader of claim 14, wherein the diameter of the first gear is approximately 0.25-0.75 the diameter of the second gear.