Dual electric motor four wheel drive personnel carrier

• US 7,134,517 B1
• Filed: 02/10/2004
• Issued: 11/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: BB Buggies Inc. (Textron Inc)
• Original Assignee: Clements J. Kaiser, Joseph R. Palermo Jr
• Inventors: Kaiser, Clements J., Palermo, Joseph R. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): WINNER, TONY H
• Application Number:
  US10/776,874
• Time in Patent Office: 1,008 Days
• Field of Search: 180/248, 180/243, 180/242, 180/233, 180/65.1, 180/65.6, 180/65.8
• US Class Current: 180/65.6
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/02 comprising more than one electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/356 having fluid or electric motor, for driving one or more wheels disposition of motor in, or adjacent to, traction wheel B60K7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/2036 Electric differentials, e.g. for supporting steering vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/40 Working vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/42 with use of more than one motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/421 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/28 Four wheel or all wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 Electric energy management in electromobility

Abstract

Described is a battery powered, four-wheel, all-terrain vehicle, with independently operable, variable speed, bi-directional electric motors, one of which may selectively used to drive the front wheels of the vehicle, the other of which may be selectively used to drive the rear wheels of the vehicle. A front differential drive mechanism allows the front wheels to operate at different speeds. Front wheels of the vehicle are steerable through universal joints disposed between the front differential mechanism and each front wheel. A rear differential drive mechanism allow the rear wheels to rotate at different speeds. By selectively choosing whether to engage front and rear wheels and the direction they rotate, the vehicle may be operated as a four-wheel drive vehicle, a front-wheel drive vehicle, a rear wheel drive vehicle, with all four wheels disengaged, or even with front and rear wheels rotating in opposite directions.

Claims

1. A motorized personnel carrier comprising:

a. front and rear, independently operable, variable speed, bi-directional electric motors;

b. a front drive mechanism;

c. means to selectively mechanically engage said front electric motor to said front drive mechanism;

d. means to selectively mechanically disengage said front electric motor from said front drive mechanism;

e. left front wheel;

f. right front wheel;

g. left universal joint operatively connected between said left front wheel and said front drive mechanism;

h. right universal joint operatively connected between said right front wheel and said front drive mechanism;

i. means for synchronized steering said left and right front wheels;

j. a rear drive mechanism;

k. left rear wheel;

l. right rear wheel;

m. means to connect said left rear wheel to said rear drive mechanism; and

,

n. means to connect said right rear wheel to said rear drive mechanism.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein said rear drive mechanism is comprised of differential gear mechanism making said left and right rear wheels rotatable at different speeds.

3. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprising:

o. means to selectively mechanically engage said rear electric motor to said rear drive mechanism; and

,

p. means to selectively mechanically engage said second rear electric motor from said rear drive mechanism.

4. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein said front drive mechanism is comprised of differential gear mechanism making said left and right front wheels rotatable at different speeds.

5. The vehicle of claim 4 wherein the rear drive mechanism is comprised of differential gear mechanism making all four wheels of the vehicle rotatable at different speeds.

6. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein each of said universal joints are comprised of a constant velocity joint.

7. The vehicle of claim 6 wherein said front drive mechanism is comprised of differential gear mechanism making said left and right front wheels rotatable at different speeds.

8. The vehicle of claim 7 wherein the rear drive mechanism is comprised of differential gear mechanism making all four wheels of the vehicle rotatable at different speeds.

9. The vehicle of claim 6 wherein said rear drive mechanism is comprised of differential gear mechanism making said left and right rear wheels rotatable at different speeds.

10. A motorized personnel carrier comprising:

a. front and rear, independently operable, variable speed, bi-directional electric motors;

b. a front drive mechanism;

c. left front wheel;

d. right front wheel;

e. left universal joint operatively connected between said left front wheel and said front drive mechanism;

f. right universal joint operatively connected between said right front wheel and said front drive mechanism;

g. means for synchronized steering said left and right front wheels;

h. a rear drive mechanism;

i. means to selectively mechanically engage said rear electric motor to said rear drive mechanism;

j. means to selectively mechanically disengage said second rear electric motor from said rear drive mechanism;

k. left rear wheel;

l. right rear wheel;

m. means to connect said left rear wheel to said rear drive mechanism; and

,

n. means to connect said right rear wheel to said rear drive mechanism.