Self-contained axle module

A self-contained axle module system for a vehicle, comprising:

• a first self-contained axle module and a second self-contained axle module configured to be coupled to a support structure of the vehicle at any one of a plurality of positions relative to the other, each self-contained axle module comprising:
• a housing having a sump portion and an interface portion;
• an electric motor coupled to the interface portion and supported along a length of the housing, wherein the electric motor is rotatably coupled to a gear train positioned within the sump portion of the housing;
• a power take-off coupled to the gear train and mounted on the housing;
• a first wheel end assembly coupled to the gear train with a first half-shaft extending laterally from the housing with respect to the electric motor;
• a second wheel end assembly coupled to the gear train with a second half-shaft extending laterally from the housing with respect to the electric motor;
• a first independent suspension assembly having a first end coupled to the housing and a second end coupled to the first wheel end assembly;
• a first spring having a first end coupled to the housing and a second end coupled to the first independent suspension assembly;
• a second independent suspension assembly having a first end coupled to the housing and a second end coupled to the second wheel end assembly;
• and
• a second spring having a first end coupled to the housing and a second end coupled to the second independent suspension assembly;
• wherein the independent suspension assemblies and the wheel end assemblies and the housing and the electric motor and the gear train and the springs are configured to be removable from the support structure as a unit by removing the housing from the support structure.

A self-contained axle module with independent suspension for a vehicle, the self-contained axle module comprising:

• a housing having a sump portion defining a lateral axis and an interface portion defining a longitudinal axis, wherein the housing is configured to be coupled to a support structure of the vehicle;
• an output shaft extending along the lateral axis of the housing and projecting externally from the sump portion;
• an electric motor coupled to the interface portion along the longitudinal axis of the housing and operable to rotate the output shaft about the lateral axis of the housing, wherein the electric motor is configured to be coupled to a drive controller, wherein the electric motor selectively receives electrical energy that drives the electric motor or mechanical energy during regenerative braking;
• a first wheel end assembly coupled to the output shaft;
• and
• a first independent suspension assembly coupled to the first wheel end assembly and to the housing to permit movement of the first wheel end assembly independent of the housing;
• wherein the first independent suspension assembly, the first wheel end assembly, and the housing are removable from the support structure as a unit by removing the housing from the support structure.