Axle assembly with parallel drive system for electric hybrid vehicles
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A vehicle drive assembly, comprising:
- an internal combustion engine;
a transmission supported within a transmission housing and operably associated with the internal combustion engine;
a first input member associated with the transmission to provide torque supplied by the internal combustion engine;
an axle housing that is spaced from and independent of the transmission housing;
at least one axle shaft supported for rotation relative to the axle housing;
a first coupling device supported at least partially by the axle housing, the first coupling device selectively coupling the first input member with the axle shaft to deliver torque to the axle shaft;
an electric motor at least partially supported by the axle housing;
a second input member associated with the electric motor to provide torque supplied by the electric motor; and
a second coupling device supported at least partially by the axle housing, the second coupling device selectively coupling tho second input member with the axle shaft to deliver torque to the axle shaft.
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Abstract
The inventive parallel drive system is particularly well suited to be supported at the axle of the vehicle. A coupling arrangement includes a clutching mechanism and a gear reduction device that selectively couple an electric motor to the drive wheels for providing torque to the wheels alone or in combination with input from an internal combustion engine. The drive torque can also be provided exclusively from the internal combustion engine. The inventive arrangement also allows for the electric motor to be used as a generator during coasting or braking, for example.
59 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A vehicle drive assembly, comprising:
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an internal combustion engine;
a transmission supported within a transmission housing and operably associated with the internal combustion engine;
a first input member associated with the transmission to provide torque supplied by the internal combustion engine;
an axle housing that is spaced from and independent of the transmission housing;
at least one axle shaft supported for rotation relative to the axle housing;
a first coupling device supported at least partially by the axle housing, the first coupling device selectively coupling the first input member with the axle shaft to deliver torque to the axle shaft;
an electric motor at least partially supported by the axle housing;
a second input member associated with the electric motor to provide torque supplied by the electric motor; and
a second coupling device supported at least partially by the axle housing, the second coupling device selectively coupling tho second input member with the axle shaft to deliver torque to the axle shaft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification