Electric drive motor axle with integrated reduction and differential gearset
First Claim
1. A drive axle for a motor vehicle, comprising:
- an electric motor;
a reduction unit having first and second gearsets, said first gearset including a first input member driven by said electric motor for driving a first output member at a reduced speed relative to said first input member, said second gearset including a second input member driven by said first output member for driving a second output member at a reduced speed relative to said second input member; and
a differential assembly having an input driven by said second output member, a first differential output driving a first output shaft, and a second differential output driving a second output shaft.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A drive axle adapted for use in hybrid vehicles and having an electric motor and a gearbox packaged within a common housing assembly. The gearbox includes a differential assembly driven by a planetary-type reduction unit. The reduction unit includes a first planetary gearset having a first sun gear driven by the motor, a first ring gear, and a set of first planet gears meshed with the first sun gear and the first ring gear. A first planet carrier is non-rotatably fixed to a stationary number and rotatably supports the first planet gears. A second planet gearset includes a second sun gear fixed for rotation with the first ring gear, a second ring gear non-rotatably fixed to the stationary member, and a set of second planet gears rotatably supported from a second planet carrier and which mesh with the second sun gear and the second ring gear.
87 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A drive axle for a motor vehicle, comprising:
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an electric motor;
a reduction unit having first and second gearsets, said first gearset including a first input member driven by said electric motor for driving a first output member at a reduced speed relative to said first input member, said second gearset including a second input member driven by said first output member for driving a second output member at a reduced speed relative to said second input member; and
a differential assembly having an input driven by said second output member, a first differential output driving a first output shaft, and a second differential output driving a second output shaft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
a vehicle sensor for detecting an operating characteristic of the motor vehicle and generating sensor signals; and
a controller for generating electrical control signals in response to said sensor signals, said control signals being delivered to said electric motor for controlling the rotary speed of said first input member.
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10. A drive axle for driving a pair of wheels in a motor vehicle comprising:
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first and second output shafts adapted for connection to the pair of wheels;
a reduction unit including a first sun gear, a first ring gear, a first carrier fixed against rotation, a set of first planet gears rotatably supported from said first carrier and meshed with said first sun gear and said first ring gear, a second sun gear coupled to said first ring gear, a second ring gear, a second carrier fixed against rotation, and a set of second planet gears rotatably supported for said second carrier and meshed with said second sun gear and said second ring gear;
a differential assembly having an input driven by said second ring gear, a first output coupled to said first output shaft, and a second output coupled to said second output shaft; and
an electric motor for driving said first sun gear. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
a vehicle sensor for detecting an operating characteristic of the motor vehicle and generating sensor signals; and
a controller for generating electrical control signals in response to said sensor signals, said control signals being delivered to said electric motor for controlling the rotary speed of said first sun gear.
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13. A drive axle for driving a pair of wheels in a motor vehicle comprising:
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first and second output shafts adapted for connection to the pair of wheels;
a reduction unit including a first sun gear, a first ring gear, a first carrier fixed against rotation, first planet gears rotatably supported from said first carrier and meshed with said first sun gear and said first ring gear, a second sun gear, a second ring gear driving said first sun gear, a second carrier coupled to said first ring gear, and second planet gears rotatably supported from said second carrier and meshed with said second sun gear and said second ring gear;
a differential assembly having an input driven by said first ring gear, a first output driving said first output shaft, and a second output driving said second output shaft; and
an electric motor for driving said second sun gear. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
a vehicle sensor for detecting an operating characteristic of the motor vehicle and generating sensor signals; and
a controller for generating electrical control signals in response to said sensor signals, said control signals being delivered to said electric motor for controlling the rotary speed of said second sun gear.
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16. A hybrid motor vehicle, comprising:
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a first powered driveline including an engine operable for driving a first pair of wheels; and
a second powered driveline including a drive axle operable for driving a second pair of wheels, said drive axle including an electric motor, a reduction unit having first and second gearsets, said first gearset including a first input member driven by said electric motor for driving a first output member at a reduced speed relative to said first input member, said second gearset including a second input member driven by said first output member for driving a second output member at a reduced speed relative to said second input member, and a differential assembly having an input driven by said second output member, a first differential output driving a first output shaft, and a second differential output driving a second output, said first and second output shafts driving said second pair of wheels. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 20, 21)
vehicle sensors for detecting operating characteristics of the motor vehicle and generating sensor signals; and
a controller for generating electrical control signals in response to said sensor signals, said control signals being delivered to said electric motor for controlling the rotary speed of said first input member.
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19. The hybrid motor vehicle of claim 19 wherein said differential assembly is a third gearset having a third ring gear driven by said second carrier, a third sun gear driving said first output shaft, a third carrier driving said second output shaft, a set of third planet gears rotatably supported by said third carrier and meshed with said third ring gear, and a set of fourth planet gears rotatably supported by said third carrier and meshed with said third sun gear and said third planet gears.
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22. A hybrid motor vehicle, comprising:
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a first powered driveline including an engine operable for driving a first pair of wheels; and
a second powered driveline including a drive axle operable for driving a second pair of wheels, said drive axle including an electric motor, a reduction unit including a first sun gear driven by said electric motor, a first ring gear, a first carrier fixed to against rotation, first planet gears rotatably supported from said first carrier and meshed with said first sun gear and said first ring gear, a second sun gear driven by said first ring gear, a second ring gear, a second carrier fixed against rotation, and second planet gears rotatably supported by said second carrier and meshed with said second sun gear and said second ring gear, and a differential assembly having an input driven by said second ring gear, a first output driving a first output shaft, and a second output driving a second output shaft, said first and second output shafts coupled to said second pair of wheels. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
vehicle sensors for detecting operating characteristics of the motor vehicle and generating sensor signals; and
a controller for generating electrical control signals in response to said sensor signals, said control signals being delivered to said electric motor for controlling the rotary speed of said first sun gear.
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25. A hybrid motor vehicle, comprising:
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a first powered driveline including an engine operable for driving a first pair of wheels; and
a second powered driveline including a drive axle operable for driving a second pair of wheels, said drive axle including, an electric motor, a reduction unit including a first sun gear, a first ring gear, a first carrier fixed against rotation, first planet gears rotatably supported from said first carrier and meshed with said first sun gear and said first ring gear, a second sun gear driven by said electric motor, a second ring gear driving said first sun gear, a second carrier coupled to said first ring gear, second planet gears rotatably supported for said second carrier and meshed with said second sun gear and said second ring gear, and a differential assembly having an input driven by said first ring gear, a first output driving a first output shaft, and a second output driving a second output shaft, and said first and second output shafts are operably connected to said second set of wheels. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
vehicle sensors for detecting operating characteristics of the motor vehicle and generating sensor signals; and
a controller for generating electrical control signals in response to said sensor signals, said control signals being delivered to said electric motor for controlling the rotary speed of said second sun gear.
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Specification