SELF-CONTAINED AXLE MODULE
First Claim
1. A self-contained axle module with independent suspension for a vehicle, with the vehicle including a support structure, a source for electrical power, and a source of cooling medium, the self-contained axle module comprising:
- a housing configured to be coupled to the support structure;
an output shaft extending from opposite sides of the housing;
an electric motor coupled to the housing and the source for electric power, and operable to rotate the output shaft;
a motor drive controller unit coupled to the electric motor and configured to control at least one of a speed and a torque of the electric motor;
a first wheel end assembly coupled to the output shaft;
a second wheel end assembly coupled to the output shaft;
a first independent suspension assembly coupled to the housing and supporting the first wheel end assembly;
a second independent suspension assembly coupled to the housing and supporting the second wheel end assembly;
wherein, the first and second independent suspension assemblies and the first and second wheel end assemblies and the housing and the electric motor are configured to be removable from the support structure as a unit by removing the housing from the support structure.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A self-contained axle module for a vehicle having a support structure is provided. The self-contained axle includes a housing removably coupled to the support structure and an output shaft extending from the housing. An electric motor is coupled to the housing and drives the output shaft. Two wheel end assemblies coupled to the output shaft, and an independent suspension assembly is coupled between each wheel end assembly and the housing, so that the independent suspension assemblies and the wheel end assemblies and the electric motor and the housing are removable from the vehicle as a unit by detaching the housing from the support structure.
110 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A self-contained axle module with independent suspension for a vehicle, with the vehicle including a support structure, a source for electrical power, and a source of cooling medium, the self-contained axle module comprising:
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a housing configured to be coupled to the support structure; an output shaft extending from opposite sides of the housing; an electric motor coupled to the housing and the source for electric power, and operable to rotate the output shaft; a motor drive controller unit coupled to the electric motor and configured to control at least one of a speed and a torque of the electric motor; a first wheel end assembly coupled to the output shaft; a second wheel end assembly coupled to the output shaft; a first independent suspension assembly coupled to the housing and supporting the first wheel end assembly; a second independent suspension assembly coupled to the housing and supporting the second wheel end assembly; wherein, the first and second independent suspension assemblies and the first and second wheel end assemblies and the housing and the electric motor are configured to be removable from the support structure as a unit by removing the housing from the support structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A vehicle comprising:
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a support structure; an electric power bus; at least one self-contained axle module coupled to the support structure; and wherein each self-contained axle module comprises; a housing removably coupled to the support structure; a shaft extending from the housing; an electric motor coupled to the housing and the electric power bus and operable to drive the shaft; a first wheel end assembly coupled to the shaft; a second wheel end assembly coupled to the shaft; a first suspension assembly independently suspending the first wheel end assembly relative to the housing; a second suspension assembly independently suspending the second wheel end assembly relative to the housing; wherein the self-contained axle module is removable as a unit by removing the housing from the support structure. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A self-contained and interchangeable axle module for use with a vehicle, the vehicle having a support structure, the axle module comprising:
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a housing removably attachable to the support structure; an output shaft extending from the housing; at least one electric motor coupled to the housing and operable to drive the output shaft; a wheel end assembly coupled to one end of the output shaft; an independent suspension assembly coupled to the wheel end assembly and the housing; wherein the independent suspension assembly and the wheel end assembly and the electric motor and the housing are removable from the vehicle as a unit by detaching the housing from the support structure. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification