Power takeoff for an electric vehicle

• US 20060070776A1
• Filed: 09/28/2004
• Published: 04/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oshkosh Corporation
• Original Assignee: Oshkosh Corporation
• Inventors: Schimke, Martin, Morrow, Jon J., Yakes, Christopher K.
• Granted Patent: US 7,448,460 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/65.100
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/28 characterised by arrangement, location, or type of power take-off
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/46 Series type
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/24 Military vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Abstract

A power take-off for an electric vehicle. The power take-off includes a variable speed electric motor for driving at least one wheel of the vehicle. A transmission, including a neutral state, coupled to the electric motor. An auxiliary output shaft is coupled to the transmission. When the transmission is in the neutral state, the auxiliary output shaft will operate at a speed independent of wheel speed and dependent on the electric motor speed. When the transmission is operably engaged in other than the neutral state, the auxiliary output shaft will operate at a speed related to both the electric motor speed and the wheel speed.

Claims

1. A power takeoff for an electric vehicle comprising:

a variable speed electric motor for driving at least one wheel of the vehicle;

a transmission, including a neutral state, coupled to the electric motor; and

an auxiliary output shaft coupled to the transmission, wherein when the transmission is in the neutral state, the auxiliary output shaft will operate at a speed independent of wheel speed and dependant on the electric motor speed and when the transmission is operably engaged in other than the neutral state, the auxiliary output shaft will operate at a speed related to both electric motor speed and wheel speed.

2. The power takeoff of claim 1, wherein the transmission is rotably mounted in a housing.

3. The power takeoff of claim 1, wherein the housing is coupled to an axle of the vehicle.

4. The power takeoff of claim 1 wherein a tool is coupled to the auxiliary output shaft.

5. The power takeoff of claim 4, wherein the tool is a pump.

6. The power takeoff of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a hybrid electric vehicle.

7. The power takeoff of claim 1, wherein the transmission is geared for at least two speeds.

8. A method for providing power to a tool mounted on a vehicle utilizing an electric motor of the vehicle, with the electric motor coupled to an axle to transmit power to a vehicle wheel, the method for providing power comprising the steps of:

providing a power-take-off (PTO) apparatus having a gear train;

coupling the PTO gear train to the electric motor;

providing a planetary annulus gear; and

coupling the planetary annulus gear to the axle with the planetary annulus gear configured to move between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the PTO will move at a speed independent of wheel speed and dependant on the electric motor speed and in the second position, the PTO will move at a speed related to both electric motor speed and wheel speed.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first position is a neutral position.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the tool is a pump.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the vehicle is a hybrid electric vehicle.

12. 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 self-contained axle module coupled to the vehicle support structure and an electric motor;

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

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

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

an output shaft coupled to the electric motor;

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

a second wheel end assembly coupled to output shaft; and

a power takeoff coupled to the axle module including;

a transmission, including a neutral state, coupled to the electric motor; and

an auxiliary output shaft coupled to the transmission, wherein when the transmission is in the neutral state, the auxiliary output shaft will operate at a speed independent of wheel speed and dependant on the electric motor speed and when the transmission is operably engaged in other than the neutral state, the auxiliary output shaft will operate at a speed related to both electric motor speed and wheel speed.

13. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the transmission is integral with the self-contained axle module.

14. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the PTO is coupled to a tool.

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

16. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the vehicle is a hybrid electric vehicle.

17. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the transmission is geared for at least two speeds.