Integrated stator-axle for in-wheel motor of an electric vehicle
First Claim
1. An electric motor vehicle comprising:
- a wheel containing a motor stator and a motor rotor;
an integrated structure fabricated from a unitary non-ferromagnetic substance, said structure having a wheel axle portion and a motor stator mounting element portion, the stator mounting element portion having a cylindrical configuration with its axis collinear with the axis of the axle, the integrated structure comprising a central passage that extends along the axis of the axle portion and the stator mounting element portion; and
wherein at least one ferromagnetic segment of the motor stator is joined directly to the stator mounting element.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
One or more wheels of an electrically powered vehicle contains a motor rotor and a motor stator that is mounted on an integrated structure having a motor stator mounting element portion and wheel axle portion on each side thereof. The structure is fabricated from a unitary non-ferromagnetic substance. A rotor housing is journalled to the axle portion on both sides of the motor stator mounting element via bearings. A wheel assembly is mounted on the rotor housing thereby to be driven by the rotor. Forced-air cooling is provided through a hollow central passage. A plug separates the passage into two distinct sections, the inlet and the outlet. A plurality of cavities, provided with heat exchanger surfaces, are contained within the stator mounting element portion. Channels at each end of each cavity extend in the radial direction into the central passage. Cooling air enters from one end of the central passage, is directed through the inlet channels, the cavities and outlet channels before exiting through the opposite end of the central passage. Additional channels provide wire access to the motor stator.
27 Citations
45 Claims
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1. An electric motor vehicle comprising:
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a wheel containing a motor stator and a motor rotor;
an integrated structure fabricated from a unitary non-ferromagnetic substance, said structure having a wheel axle portion and a motor stator mounting element portion, the stator mounting element portion having a cylindrical configuration with its axis collinear with the axis of the axle, the integrated structure comprising a central passage that extends along the axis of the axle portion and the stator mounting element portion; and
wherein at least one ferromagnetic segment of the motor stator is joined directly to the stator mounting element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An electric motor apparatus comprising:
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a hollow shaft having a central passage extending from a first end to a second end;
a stator support structure secured to said hollow shaft;
a plurality of electric motor stator elements secured to said stator support structure; and
a rotor housing surrounding said stator support structure, said rotor housing having a plurality of permanent magnets secured thereto;
wherein said rotor housing is supported by said hollow shaft and said permanent magnets are separated from said stator elements by an air gap. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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24. The An electric motor apparatus as recited in 23, wherein said cable apertures extend through said stator support structure to allow at least one cable to extend from said stator element to a position external to said hollow shaft.
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35. An electric motor apparatus as recited in 34, wherein said machine is a vehicle.
Specification