Drive axle for electric vehicle

Abstract

An electric powered vehicle drive axle is disclosed. The axle of the present invention comprises a ring gear; a first pinion gear for rotating the ring gear; a differential carried by the ring gear; a pair of axle shafts driven by the differential for rotatably driving a pair of drive wheels; the device supported and enclosed by a housing. A second pinion gear is employed which rotatably engages the ring gear. A first electric motor rotatably connected to the first pinion gear is connected to a power source for rotatably driving the vehicle. A second electric motor/generator is connected to the second pinion gear and electrically connected to the power source. The second electric motor/generator selectively powers the differential or derives power from the differential to recharge the power source as dictated by the power needs of the electric vehicle. A plurality of bevel gears are deployed along the length of the axles. Each bevel gear is rotatably connected to a pair of opposed bevel gears, each opposed bevel gear is rotatably connected to an electric motor/generator. By selectively and electrically causing the plurality of motors/generators to either power the axle or be powered by the axle optimum efficiency and recharging of the battery over a range of vehicle operating conditions is obtained.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.