Electro-mechanical drive system for a full-track vehicle

• US 4,998,591 A
• Filed: 12/07/1989
• Issued: 03/12/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: RENK AG (RENK GmbH)
• Original Assignee: RENK AG (RENK GmbH)
• Inventors: Zaunberger, Franz-Xaver
• Primary Examiner(s): Marmor, Charles A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MAR, MICHAEL Y
• Application Number:
  US07/447,375
• Time in Patent Office: 460 Days
• Field of Search: 180/6.44, 180/6.7, 180/9.44, 180/79.1, 475/18, 475/28
• US Class Current: 180/6.44
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 11/10 using gearings with differential power outputs on opposite sides, e.g. twin-differential or epicyclic gears
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 3/06 with compression ignition compression ignition engines using air or gas for blowing fuel into compressed air in cylinder F02B13/02

Abstract

An electric motor drives via differential gear arrangement the track-driving wheels of the tracks of a full-track vehicle. The steering of the full-track vehicle takes place through a further electric motor, through which, depending on the travel direction of the full-track vehicle, a rotational speed can be superimposed on the differential gear arrangement with different rotational speeds. The current supply of the drive motor and of the steering motor occurs via a control and regulating equipment, as a function of adjustments of a drive member and of a steering member, from an electric generator which is driven by a diesel engine.

Claims

1. An electro-mechanical drive system for a full-track vehicle, comprising:

an electric drive motor for driving track-driving wheels of the vehicle;

at least one steering control unit in the form of an electric motor for controlling the track-driving wheels so as to steer the vehicle, wherein the drive motor and the steering control motor are supplied with electric energy from an electric generator which is driven by an internal combustion engine;

a differential gear arrangement including two differential gear sets connected to the track-driving wheels of the vehicle;

a drive control connection between the drive motor and the differential gear arrangement;

a steering control connection between the steering control motor and a steering control element of the differential gear arrangement;

wherein the drive control connection comprises first and second portions of a drive shaft disposed between the differential gears, and the drive motor is disposed coaxially about and in driving engagement with the first drive shaft portion, and the steering control motor is disposed coaxially about the second drive shaft portion;

and two control outputs of the differential gear arrangement disposed coaxially with the first and second drive shaft portions for driving the track-driving wheels, whereby both the drive motor and the steering control motor are disposed between differential gear sets, and said first and second drive shaft portions are coaxial with respect to the axis of rotation of the track-driving wheels.

2. The drive system according to claim 1,

wherein the differential gear arrangement comprises two differential gear sets, each of which includes one of the two control outputs, a drive control element and a steering control element;

wherein the drive control elements of both differential gear sets are in driving engagement with the drive motor via their respective drive control connections;

and wherein the steering control elements of both differential gear sets are in driving engagement with the common steering control unit electric motor.

3. The drive system according to claim 2, further comprising both a mechanical brake and at least one hydrodynamic brake in mechanical engagement with the control outputs so as to provide a brake effect on the track-driving wheels.

4. The drive system according to claim 3, wherein the drive control connection between the drive motor and the differential gear arrangement includes a gear shift.

5. The drive system according to claim 2, wherein the drive control connection between the drive motor and the differential gear arrangement includes a gear shift.

6. The drive system according to claim 1, further comprising both a mechanical brake and at least one hydrodynamic brake in mechanical engagement with the control outputs so as to provide a brake effect on the track-driving wheels.

7. The drive system according to claim 6, wherein the drive control connection between the drive motor and the differential gear arrangement includes a gear shift.

8. The drive system according to claim 1, wherein the drive control connection between the drive motor and the differential gear arrangement includes a gear shift.

9. An electro-mechanical drive system for a full-track vehicle, comprising:

two differential gear sets connected to track-driving wheels of the vehicle;

a main shaft disposed between said differential gear sets for drivingly connecting drive inputs of the two differential gear sets with each other;

an electric drive motor disposed coaxially about the main shaft;

an electric steering motor disposed coaxially about the main shaft, the electric drive motor and the electric steering motor being arranged axially one behind the other;

a first gearing arranged coaxially around the main shaft and connecting the main shaft with the electric drive motor;

a neutral shaft located parallel to the main shaft, and drivingly connecting steering inputs of the two differential gear sets with each other;

a second gearing drivingly connecting the electric steering motor with the neutral shaft; and

the two differential gear sets each having a gear output for driving a track-driving wheel,

said drive motor and said steering motor being arranged between said differential gear sets, and said main shaft being coaxial with respect to the axis of rotation of the track-driving wheels.

10. The drive system according to claim 9, wherein a hydrodynamic flow brake is fastened on the main shaft.

11. The drive system according to claim 9, wherein the electric generator and the internal combustion engine ate arranged axially one behind the other, and both are arranged in a position parallel to the main shaft and parallel to the neutral shaft.