Self-contained axle module

• US 20060065451A1
• Filed: 09/28/2004
• Published: 03/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oshkosh Corporation
• Original Assignee: Oshkosh Corporation
• Inventors: Schimke, Martin, Morrow, Jon J., Nasr, Nader, Yakes, Christopher K., Schmiedel, Gary, Verhoff, Donald H., Braun, Eric
• Granted Patent: US 7,357,203 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/65.100
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/001 one motor mounted on a propulsion axle for rotating right and left wheels of this axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2007/0069 the motor axle being perpendicular to the wheel axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/40 characterised by the assembly or relative disposition of components
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/46 Series type
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/26 Rail vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/46 Wheel motors, i.e. motor connected to only one wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

A self-contained axle module for a vehicle. The vehicle includes a support structure, a source for electric power, a source of cooling medium, and a vehicle control device. The self-contained axle includes a first side plate removably coupled to the support structure. A second side plate removably coupled to the support structure. A housing coupled to the first and second side plate. An electric motor coupled to the housing and the source for electric power. A motor drive controller unit coupled to the electric motor and to the vehicle control device to communicate signals to the vehicle control device such that one of the speed and torque of the electric motor is controlled based upon the signals. A gear train is mounted in the housing and coupled to the electric motor and an output shaft, wherein, the self-contained axle module can be selectively coupled and decoupled from the support structure.

Claims

1. A self-contained axle module for a vehicle, with the vehicle including a support structure, a source for electrical power, a source of cooling medium, and a vehicle control device, the self-contained axle comprising:

a first side plate removably coupled to the support structure;

a second side plate removably coupled to the support structure;

a housing coupled to the first and second side plate;

an electric motor coupled to the housing and the source for electric power;

a motor drive controller unit coupled to the electric motor and to the vehicle control device to communicate signals to the vehicle control device such that one of the speed and torque of the electric motor is controlled base upon the signals; and

a gear train mounted in the housing and coupled to the electric motor and an output shaft;

wherein, the self-contained axle module can be selectively coupled and decoupled from the support structure.

2. The self-contained axle module of claim 1, including:

a first wheel end assembly coupled to the housing and the output shaft; and

a second wheel end assembly coupled to the housing and the output shaft.

3. The self-contained axle module of claim 1, wherein the electric motor is mounted on the housing at an angle, relative to the plane of the support structure, other than 90 degrees.

4. The self-contained axle module of claim 3, wherein the angle is between 20 degrees and 30 degrees.

5. The self-contained axle module of claim 1, including an oil pump mounted inside the housing and immersed in oil.

6. The self-contained axle module of claim 1, including a power take-off (PTO) apparatus mounted on the housing and coupled to the gear train and a tool.

7. The self-contained axle module of claim 6, wherein the tool is a pump.

8. The self-contained axle module of claim 1, including a skid plate coupled to the first and second side plates and configured to protect the underside portion of the housing.

9. The self-contained axle module of claim 1, including a heat exchanger mounted on the housing and configure to provide cooling for the interior of the housing, with the heat exchanger coupled to the source of cooling medium.

10. A vehicle comprising:

a vehicle support structure;

a principal power unit supported by the structure, wherein the principal power unit is not a battery;

an electric AC power bus including at least two phase conductors, wherein the phase conductors are coupled to the principal power unit;

a power storage unit coupled to the AC power bus;

a pair of self-contained axle modules coupled to the vehicle support structure;

a vehicle controller coupled to each self-contained axle module and the AC power bus; and

a data bus coupled to each self-contained axle module and vehicle controller;

wherein each self-contained axle comprising;

a first side plate removably coupled to the support structure;

a second side plate removably coupled to the support structure;

a housing coupled to the first and second side plate;

an electric motor coupled to the housing and the principal power unit;

a motor drive controller unit coupled to the electric motor and to the vehicle controller to communicate signals to the vehicle controller such that one of the speed and torque of the electric motor is controlled base upon the signals; and

a gear train mounted in the housing and coupled to the electric motor and an output shaft;

a first wheel end assembly coupled to the housing and the output shaft; and

a second wheel end assembly coupled to the housing and the output shaft,

wherein, each self-contained axle module can be selectively coupled and decoupled from the support structure.

11. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the electric motor is mounted on the housing at an angle, relative to the plane of the support structure, other than 90 degrees.

12. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the angle is between 20 degrees and 30 degrees.

13. The vehicle of claim 10, including an oil pump mounted inside the housing and immersed in oil.

14. The vehicle of claim 10, including a power take-off (PTO) apparatus mounted on the housing and coupled to the gear train and a tool.

15. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the tool is a pump.

16. The vehicle of claim 10, including a skid plate coupled to the first and second side plates and configured to protect the underside portion of the housing.

17. The vehicle of claim 10, including a heat exchanger mounted on the housing and configure to provide cooling for the interior of the housing, with the heat exchanger coupled to the source of cooling medium.

18. The vehicle of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of suspension assemblies wherein each suspension assembly independently suspends one of the wheel end assemblies relative to the vehicle support structure.

19. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the AC power bus is configured to at least provide 50/60 Hz, 480 VAC, three-phase power.

20. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the vehicle controller is configured to control the electric motor to brake the vehicle.

21. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the electric motor is configured to regenerate power back to one of the principal power unit and the power storage unit.