US 7,441,623 B2 · Multi-motor drive system for a work machine

Abstract

A multi-motor drive system for a work machine has a first traction device and a second traction device substantially aligned transversely of a primary travel-direction of the work machine. The drive system also has a first drive-group power-transfer system that connects the first traction device and the second traction device. The drive system may also include a third traction device and a fourth traction device substantially aligned transversely of the primary travel-direction of the work machine. Further, the drive system also includes a second drive-group power-transfer system that connects the third traction device and the fourth traction device. Additionally, the drive system has an inter-group power-transfer system that connects the first drive-group power-transfer system to the second drive-group power-transfer system. A first drive motor may operatively connect to the first drive-group power-transfer system separate of the inter-group power-transfer system. Moreover, the drive system may include a second drive motor operatively connected to the second drive-group power-transfer system separate of the inter-group power-transfer system.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A multi-motor drive system for a machine, comprising:

a first traction device and a second traction device substantially aligned transversely of a primary travel-direction of the machine;
a first drive-group power-transfer system that connects the first traction device and the second traction device;
a third traction device and a fourth traction device substantially aligned transversely of the primary travel-direction of the machine;
a second drive-group power-transfer system that connects the third traction device and the fourth traction device;
an inter-group power-transfer system that connects the first drive-group power-transfer system to the second drive-group power-transfer system and is configured to permit transfer of power between the first drive-group power-transfer system and the second drive-group power-transfer system;
a first drive motor operatively connected to the first drive-group power-transfer system separate from the inter-group power-transfer system, the first drive-group power-transfer system includes a motion-conversion unit and a drive shaft, and an output shaft of the first drive motor connects to the drive shaft through components of the motion-conversion unit;
and
a second drive motor operatively connected to the second drive-group power-transfer system separate from the inter-group power-transfer system.

5 more elements

A machine, comprising:

a power source;
a power-conversion unit operatively coupled to the power source;
a first traction device and a second traction device substantially aligned transversely of a primary travel-direction of the machine;
a first drive-group power-transfer system, including a first differential unit, that connects the first traction device and the second traction device;
a third traction device and a fourth traction device substantially aligned transversely of the primary travel-direction of the machine;
a second drive-group power-transfer system, including a second differential unit, that connects the third traction device and the fourth traction device;
an inter-group power-transfer system that connects the first drive-group power-transfer system to the second drive-group power-transfer system;
a first drive motor operatively connected to the first drive-group power-transfer system separate from the inter-group power-transfer system;
a second drive motor operatively connected to the first drive-group power-transfer system separate from the inter-group power-transfer system and at a point such that the first differential unit is connected between the first drive motor and the second drive motor;
a third drive motor operatively connected to the second drive-group power-transfer system separate from the inter-group power-transfer system;
and
a fourth drive motor operatively connected to the second drive-group power-transfer system separate from the inter-group power-transfer system and at a point such that the second differential unit is connected between the third drive motor and the fourth drive motor.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Multi-motor drive system for a work machine

Life of this patent

Multi-motor drive system for a work machine

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22