Dual motor gear drive unit

• US 20030132039A1
• Filed: 01/15/2002
• Published: 07/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fairway Golf Cars LLC
• Original Assignee: Fairway Golf Cars LLC
• Inventors: Gaffney, Thomas E., Gaffney, Edward J.
• Granted Patent: US 6,698,313 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/65.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/04 motor-driven A61G5/06 takes precedence; motor-operated rests A61G5/12; for vehicles with handlebars, equipped with three or more wheels B62K5/003, B62K5/023
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/1032 engaging an element of the drive or transmission, e.g. drive belt, electrodynamic brake
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/02 comprising more than one electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/043 Transmission unit disposed in on near the vehicle wheel, or between the differential gear unit and the wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/22 Microcars, e.g. golf cars
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/34 Wheel chairs
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/42 with use of more than one motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/46 Wheel motors, i.e. motor connected to only one wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0061 relating to electrical machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0076 relating to braking
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0092 with use of redundant elements for safety purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/24 with additional mechanical or electromagnetic braking
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/86 Carts; Golf carts
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2202/404 Golf articles, e.g. golfbags
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0026 Propulsion aids
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0036 Arrangements of motors
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 21/11 with resilient means for suspension , e.g. of wheels or engine; sub-frames for mounting engine or suspensions
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/19135 Spur

Abstract

A gear drive assembly comprises two drive motors, each individually driving one propulsion element. The assembly accommodates transaxle-type mounting on a vehicle.

Claims

1. A gear drive unit for a propelling first and second propulsion elements of a vehicle comprising

a housing,

a first motor carried by the housing,

a second motor carried by the housing adjacent the first motor,

a first power train carried by the housing coupling the first motor to the first propulsion element and not the second propulsion element,

a second power train carried by the housing coupling the second motor to the second propulsion element and not the first propulsion element, and

a mount to secure the housing, the first and second motors, and the first and second power trains to the vehicle as a one-piece, integrated assembly.

2. A gear drive unit according to claim 1

wherein at least one of the first and second motors comprises a high speed motor.

3. A gear drive unit according to claim 1

further including a motor control circuit electrically coupled to the first and second motors.

4. A gear drive unit according to claim 1

further including a first motor control circuit coupled to the first motor and not the second motor and a second motor control circuit coupled to the second motor and not the first motor.

5. A gear drive unit according to claim 1

wherein at least one of the first and second motors includes a motor drive shaft, and

further including a brake assembly coupled directly to the motor drive shaft.

6. A gear drive unit according to claim 1

further including a controller operating to generate a braking signal for at least one of the first and second motors in response to a command signal.

7. A gear drive unit according to claim 6

wherein the braking signal affects regenerative braking of the at least one motor.

8. A gear drive unit according to claim 1

wherein at least one of the first and second motors includes a motor drive shaft,

further including a brake assembly coupled directly to the motor drive shaft, and

further including a controller operating to generate a braking signal for at least one of the first and second motors in response to a command signal.

9. A gear drive unit according to claim 8

wherein the braking signal affects regenerative braking of the at least one motor.

10. A gear drive unit according to claim 1

further including a braking brake that sets in response to absence of power to the motors and that releases in response to presence of power to the motors.

11. A gear drive unit according to claim 1

wherein the mount accommodates securing the housing, the first and second motors, and the first and second power trains to the vehicle as a one-piece, integrated assembly comprising an axle assembly for the vehicle.

12. A vehicle comprising

a chassis,

first and second drive wheels, and

a gear drive unit for the first and second wheels comprising a first motor, a second motor adjacent the first motor, a first power train coupling the first motor to the first drive wheel and not the second drive wheel, a second power train coupling the second motor to the second drive wheel and not the first drive wheel, and a unitary housing supporting the first and second motor and the first and second drive trains as an integrated, one-piece axle assembly, and a mount to secure the axle assembly to the vehicle between the first and second drive wheels.

13. A vehicle according to claim 12

wherein the chassis includes a pivotally mounted frame, and

wherein the axle assembly is secured to the pivotally mounted frame.

14. A vehicle according to claim 13

wherein the axle assembly imparts rigidity to the frame.

15. A vehicle according to claim 12

wherein at least one of the first and second motors comprises a high speed motor.

16. A vehicle according to claim 12

further including a motor control circuit electrically coupled to the first and second motors.

17. A vehicle according to claim 12

further including a first motor control circuit coupled to the first motor and not the second motor and a second motor control circuit coupled to the second motor and not the first motor.

18. A vehicle according to claim 12

wherein at least one of the first and second motors includes a motor drive shaft, and

further including a brake assembly coupled directly to the motor drive shaft.

19. A vehicle according to claim 12

further including a motor control circuit operating to generate a braking signal for at least one of the first and second motors in response to a command signal.

20. A vehicle according to claim 19

wherein the braking signal affects regenerative braking of the at least one motor.

21. A vehicle according to claim 12

wherein at least one of the first and second motors includes a motor drive shaft,

further including a brake assembly coupled directly to the motor drive shaft, and

further including a motor control circuit operating to generate a braking signal for at least one of the first and second motors in response to a command signal.

22. A vehicle according to claim 21

wherein the braking signal affects regenerative braking of the at least one motor.

23. A vehicle according to claim 12

further including a braking brake that sets in response to absence of power to the motors and that releases in response to presence of power to the motors.