Inverter mounting on an electric drive loader
AssigneeDeere & Company
InventorsJeffrey J. Konz, Joshua D. Graeve, Devendra Thakur, Mark J. Cherney, Michael J. Ackerman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present disclosure provides a work machine having a frame and a front and rear wheel axle. The machine includes a cab coupled to the frame. The cab is configured to include controls for controlling the operation of the work machine. The machine also includes an electrically-powered drive assembly coupled to the frame and front and rear axles and an inverter electrically coupled to the electrically-powered drive assembly. The machine further includes a platform assembly disposed adjacent the cab and coupled to the frame. The platform assembly comprises an outer wall at least partially surrounding the inverter.
Claims20
A work machine having a frame and a front and rear wheel axle, comprising:
- a cab coupled to the frame, the cab configured to include controls for controlling the operation of the work machine;
- an electrically-powered drive assembly coupled to the frame and front and rear axles;
- an inverter electrically coupled to the electrically-powered drive assembly;
- and
- a platform assembly disposed adjacent the cab, coupled to the frame, the platform assembly comprising an outer wall and forming a compartment that is sized to receive only the inverter, the outer wall at least partially surrounding the inverter.
An electric drive loader, comprising:
- a front frame assembly and a rear frame assembly,
- a front axle and a rear axle, where front ground engaging wheels are coupled to the front axle and rear ground engaging wheels are coupled to the rear axle;
- a cab coupled to the front or rear frame, the cab including an entrance opening on at least one side of the loader;
- an engine configured to produce mechanical energy;
- a generator coupled to the engine, the generator configured to convert the mechanical energy from the engine to electrical energy;
- an electric motor configured to receive the electrical energy from the generator and convert to mechanical energy;
- a hybrid transmission coupled to the electric motor, the transmission adapted to receive the mechanical energy from the electric motor;
- an inverter electrically coupled to the generator and motor;
- and
- a platform assembly disposed adjacent the entrance opening and coupled to the frame, the platform assembly comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and an outer wall at least partially surrounding an inverter;
- wherein the top surface forms an uppermost step substantially aligned with the entrance opening;
- further wherein the top surface, bottom surface, and outer wall define an internal compartment for receiving only the inverter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.