SELF-CONTAINED AXLE MODULE
First Claim
1. A self-contained axle module with independent suspension for a vehicle, comprising:
- a housing configured to be coupled to a support structure of the vehicle;
an electric motor supported by the housing and rotatably coupled to a gear train;
a first wheel end assembly coupled to the gear train;
a second wheel end assembly coupled to the gear train;
a first independent suspension assembly having a first end coupled to the housing and a second end coupled to the first wheel end assembly;
a first spring having a first end coupled to the housing and a second end coupled to the first independent suspension assembly;
a second independent suspension assembly having a first end coupled to the housing and a second end coupled to the second wheel end assembly; and
a second spring having a first end coupled to the housing and a second end coupled to the second independent suspension assembly;
wherein the independent suspension assemblies and the wheel end assemblies and the housing and the electric motor and the gear train and the springs are configured to be removable from the support structure as a unit by removing the housing from the support structure.
1 Assignment
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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 are 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.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A self-contained axle module with independent suspension for a vehicle, comprising:
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a housing configured to be coupled to a support structure of the vehicle; an electric motor supported by the housing and rotatably coupled to a gear train; a first wheel end assembly coupled to the gear train; a second wheel end assembly coupled to the gear train; a first independent suspension assembly having a first end coupled to the housing and a second end coupled to the first wheel end assembly; a first spring having a first end coupled to the housing and a second end coupled to the first independent suspension assembly; a second independent suspension assembly having a first end coupled to the housing and a second end coupled to the second wheel end assembly; and a second spring having a first end coupled to the housing and a second end coupled to the second independent suspension assembly; wherein the independent suspension assemblies and the wheel end assemblies and the housing and the electric motor and the gear train and the springs 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 self-contained axle module system for a vehicle, comprising:
a first self-contained axle module and a second self-contained axle module configured to be coupled to a support structure of the vehicle at any one of a plurality of positions relative to the other, each self-contained axle module comprising; a housing; an electric motor supported by the housing and rotatably coupled to a gear train; a first wheel end assembly coupled to the gear train; a second wheel end assembly coupled to the gear train; a first independent suspension assembly having a first end coupled to the housing and a second end coupled to the first wheel end assembly; a first spring having a first end coupled to the housing and a second end coupled to the first independent suspension assembly; a second independent suspension assembly having a first end coupled to the housing and a second end coupled to the second wheel end assembly; and a second spring having a first end coupled to the housing and a second end coupled to the second independent suspension assembly; wherein the independent suspension assemblies and the wheel end assemblies and the housing and the electric motor and the gear train and the springs are configured to be removable from the support structure as a unit by removing the housing from the support structure. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A self-contained axle module with independent suspension for a vehicle, the self-contained axle module comprising:
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a housing configured to be coupled to a support structure of the vehicle; an output shaft projecting externally from the housing; an electric motor coupled to the housing and operable to rotate the output shaft; a first wheel end assembly coupled to the output shaft; and a first independent suspension assembly coupled to the first wheel end assembly and to the housing to permit movement of the first wheel end assembly independent of the housing; wherein the first independent suspension assembly, the first wheel end assembly, and the housing are removable from the support structure as a unit by removing the housing from the support structure. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification