Vehicle drive arrangement having multiple-sized electric motors
First Claim
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1. A vehicle drive assembly comprising:
- a wheel hub;
an axle supporting the wheel hub such that the wheel hub is rotatable relative to another portion of the vehicle; and
a plurality of electric motors having different outside dimensions providing rotation to the wheel hub with a larger outside dimension motor closer to the wheel hub.
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Abstract
An electric motor assembly for providing driving torque to a wheel on a vehicle includes a plurality of different sized motors. The motor having the largest outside dimension or outside diameter is placed closest to the wheel hub to provide the largest possible motor size within typical vehicle packaging constraints. A plurality of motors is used to achieve a desired torque level at the wheel. In one example, multiple motors are positioned near each wheel with the size of the motors decreasing from a lateral side of the vehicle toward the centerline of the vehicle. Motor control strategies for achieving different torque levels and providing selectively regenerative effects are disclosed.
32 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A vehicle drive assembly comprising:
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a wheel hub;
an axle supporting the wheel hub such that the wheel hub is rotatable relative to another portion of the vehicle; and
a plurality of electric motors having different outside dimensions providing rotation to the wheel hub with a larger outside dimension motor closer to the wheel hub. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An assembly for providing driving torque to a wheel that is laterally spaced from a centerline of a vehicle, comprising:
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a first motor having a nominal outside dimension between the wheel and the centerline of the vehicle;
a second motor between the first motor and the wheel, the second motor having a larger outside dimension than the nominal dimension; and
a controller that controls the first and second motors independent of each other to provide desired driving torque to the wheel. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of powering a vehicle wheel assembly having a wheel spaced from a centerline of the vehicle, comprising the steps of:
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providing at least one electric motor having different diameters between the centerline of the vehicle and the wheel with a largest diameter closest to the wheel; and
selectively powering the motor to achieve desired torque at the wheel. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A vehicle drive assembly, comprising:
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a wheel hub;
an axle supporting the wheel hub such that the wheel hub is rotatable relative to another portion of the vehicle; and
at least one electric motor having different outside dimensions providing rotation to the wheel hub with a larger outside dimension of the electric motor positioned closer to the wheel hub. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification