Self-contained axle module

A vehicle comprising:

• a vehicle support structure;
• a principal power unit supported by the vehicle support structure;
• an electric AC power bus including at least two phase conductors, wherein the phase conductors are coupled to the principal power unit;
• a power storage unit coupled to the AC power bus;
• at least one self-contained axle module coupled to the vehicle support structure;
• a vehicle controller coupled to each self-contained axle module and the AC power bus;
• and
• a data bus coupled to each self-contained axle module and vehicle controller;
• wherein each self-contained axle comprises:
• a housing removably coupled to the support structure;
• an output shaft having a first half extending outwardly from the housing, and a second half extending outwardly from the housing;
• an electric motor coupled to the housing and the principal power unit and operable to drive the output shaft;
• a motor drive controller unit coupled to the electric motor and to the vehicle controller to communicate signals to the vehicle controller such that one of the speed and torque of the electric motor is controlled base upon the signals;
• a first wheel end assembly coupled to the housing and the output shaft;
• a second wheel end assembly coupled to the housing and the output shaft;
• a first suspension assembly independently suspending the first wheel end assembly relative to the housing;
• a second suspension assembly independently suspending the second wheel end assembly relative to the housing;
• wherein the first and second suspension assemblies and the first and second wheel end assemblies and the housing are removable as a unit by removing the housing from the vehicle support structure.

A self-contained and interchangeable axle module for use with an independent suspension type vehicle, the vehicle having a support structure, the axle module comprising:

• a housing having a first side removably attachable to the support structure at any one of a plurality of locations along the support structure, and a second side removably attachable to the support structure at any one of a plurality of locations along the support structure;
• an output shaft having a first segment extending outwardly from the first side of the housing, and a second segment extending outwardly from the second side of the housing;
• at least one electric motor coupled to the housing and operable to drive the first segment and the second segment of the output shaft;
• a first wheel end assembly coupled to an outward end of the first segment of the output shaft;
• a second wheel end assembly coupled to an outward end of the second segment of the output shaft;
• a first independent suspension assembly coupled to the first wheel end assembly and the housing and operable for movement of the first wheel end assembly independent of the housing and the second wheel end assembly;
• and
• a second independent suspension assembly coupled to the second wheel end assembly and the housing and operable for movement of the second wheel end assembly independent of the housing and the first wheel end assembly
• wherein the first and second independent suspension assemblies and the first and second wheel end assemblies are removable from the vehicle as a unit by detaching the first side and the second side of the housing from the support structure.