Abstract: The present invention relates to a powered vehicle. The powered vehicle includes a first frame assembly and a second frame assembly. A first axle is coupled to the first frame assembly and a second axle is coupled to the second frame assembly. The powered vehicle further includes a first powertrain assembly and a second powertrain assembly. The first powertrain assembly and second powertrain assembly are interchangeably coupled to the first axle and second axle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a coupling device for coupling an input shaft to an output shaft. The coupling device includes a housing having a first end and a second end. The coupling device further includes a first and second set of splines defined along the inner wall of the housing. The first set of splines is disposed near the first end and is configured for engaging splines of the input shaft. The second set of splines is disposed near the second end of the housing and is configured for engaging splines of the output shaft. The length of the first set of splines is substantially the same as the length of the second set of splines.

Abstract: The present invention provides an interface for aligning a power-producing device and a power-transferring device in a vehicle. The interface includes an axle tube housing and a flange integrally coupled at one end of the axle tube housing. The flange has a rear surface. The interface also includes a motor housing and a drive housing. The motor housing is configured to contain the power-producing device and the drive housing is configured to contain the power-transferring device. A plate is removably coupled to one end of the motor housing. The plate is coupled to the axle tube housing and has an outer diameter. The interface further includes a spindle coupled to the drive housing. The spindle has a front surface and an inner diameter. The outer diameter of the plate contacts the inner diameter of the spindle when the spindle is coupled to the flange.

Abstract: A braking system for a final drive for a wheel assembly of an independently powered wheeled vehicle. The system includes a service brake having a displaceable element actuatable to retard rotation of the individual wheel assembly. A park brake is positioned closely adjacent to the service brake and is actuatable independently of the service brake to displace the displaceable element to retard rotation of the wheel. Both the service brake and park brake are accessible without disturbing an electric motor with which they are associated.

Abstract: A final drive assembly is driven by an electric motor and includes a park and service brake arrangement including a shared disc brake pack that is compressed by a preload exerted by a compression spring arrangement defined by a stack of Belleville springs for establishing an engaged park brake condition in the absence of pressurized brake actuating fluid being routed to a park brake piston. An electrical control is provided for computing disc brake pack wear based on a stored load curve of the stack of Belleville springs containing information correlating preload amounts to various compressed heights of the stack of Belleville springs, and on the magnitude of a drive signal sent to the electric motor for causing sufficient drive torque to be developed for causing the rotor discs of the engaged disc brake pack to slip relative to the stator discs.

Abstract: A vehicle final drive includes a fixed spindle about which a wheel hub is mounted for rotation by wheel bearings, and within which a park and service brake assembly is mounted including a stack of Belleville springs carried by an input quill mounted within an inner end region, and a disc brake pack mounted within an outer end region. Located in the hub outboard of the spindle is a two-stage planetary reduction transmission. A reaction plate is fixed to an outer end face of the spindle cylindrical portion and holds the disc brake pack and a hub of a double ring gear of the transmission in place and preloads the wheel bearings. A fluid distribution manifold is defined by a passage in the spindle for distributing flow for cooling and/or lubricating an input thrust bearing, input drive shaft coupling splines, the brake disc pack, the wheel bearings, and the first stage planet gear bearings.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for controlling fluid levels within an axle tube, the method comprising: (a) establishing a first predetermined level of a liquid lubricant within a transmission and an electric motor operatively coupled to the electric motor, the axle tube housing the electric motor and the transmission, where a cavity interposing a wall of the axle tube and the electric motor is occupied by the liquid lubricant reservoir at a second predetermined level; and, (b) lowering the first predetermined level of a liquid lubricant within the electric motor and the transmission by changing a gas pressure exerted upon the liquid lubricant, where changing the gas pressure exerted upon the liquid lubricant within the axle tube raises the second predetermined level of liquid lubricant within the cavity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a coupling device for coupling an input shaft to an output shaft. The coupling device includes a housing having a first end and a second end. The coupling device further includes a first and second set of splines defined along the inner wall of the housing. The first set of splines is disposed near the first end and is configured for engaging splines of the input shaft. The second set of splines is disposed near the second end of the housing and is configured for engaging splines of the output shaft. The length of the first set of splines is substantially the same as the length of the second set of splines.

Abstract: The present invention provides an interface for aligning a power-producing device and a power-transferring device in a vehicle. The interface includes an axle tube housing and a flange integrally coupled at one end of the axle tube housing. The flange has a rear surface. The interface also includes a motor housing and a drive housing. The motor housing is configured to contain the power-producing device and the drive housing is configured to contain the power-transferring device. A plate is removably coupled to one end of the motor housing. The plate is coupled to the axle tube housing and has an outer diameter. The interface further includes a spindle coupled to the drive housing. The spindle has a front surface and an inner diameter. The outer diameter of the plate contacts the inner diameter of the spindle when the spindle is coupled to the flange.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for controlling fluid levels within an axle tube, the method comprising: (a) establishing a first predetermined level of a liquid lubricant within a transmission and an electric motor operatively coupled to the electric motor, the axle tube housing the electric motor and the transmission, where a cavity interposing a wall of the axle tube and the electric motor is occupied by the liquid lubricant reservoir at a second predetermined level; and, (b) lowering the first predetermined level of a liquid lubricant within the electric motor and the transmission by changing a gas pressure exerted upon the liquid lubricant, where changing the gas pressure exerted upon the liquid lubricant within the axle tube raises the second predetermined level of liquid lubricant within the cavity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a powered vehicle. The powered vehicle includes a first frame assembly and a second frame assembly. A first axle is coupled to the first frame assembly and a second axle is coupled to the second frame assembly. The powered vehicle further includes a first powertrain assembly and a second powertrain assembly. The first powertrain assembly and second powertrain assembly are interchangeably coupled to the first axle and second axle.

Abstract: A final drive assembly is driven by an electric motor and includes a park and service brake arrangement including a shared disc brake pack that is compressed by a preload exerted by a compression spring arrangement defined by a stack of Belleville springs for establishing an engaged park brake condition in the absence of pressurized brake actuating fluid being routed to a park brake piston. An electrical control is provided for computing disc brake pack wear based on a stored load curve of the stack of Belleville springs containing information correlating preload amounts to various compressed heights of the stack of Belleville springs, and on the magnitude of a drive signal sent to the electric motor for causing sufficient drive torque to be developed for causing the rotor discs of the engaged disc brake pack to slip relative to the stator discs.

Abstract: A vehicle final drive includes a fixed spindle about which a wheel hub is mounted for rotation by wheel bearings, and within which a park and service brake assembly is mounted including a stack of Belleville springs carried by an input quill mounted within an inner end region, and a disc brake pack mounted within an outer end region. Located in the hub outboard of the spindle is a two-stage planetary reduction transmission. A reaction plate is fixed to an outer end face of the spindle cylindrical portion and holds the disc brake pack and a hub of a double ring gear of the transmission in place and preloads the wheel bearings. A fluid distribution manifold is defined by a passage in the spindle for distributing flow for cooling and/or lubricating an input thrust bearing, input drive shaft coupling splines, the brake disc pack, the wheel bearings, and the first stage planet gear bearings.

Abstract: A braking system for a final drive for a wheel assembly of an independently powered wheeled vehicle. The system includes a service brake having a displaceable element actuatable to retard rotation of the individual wheel assembly. A park brake is positioned closely adjacent to the service brake and is actuatable independently of the service brake to displace the displaceable element to retard rotation of the wheel. Both the service brake and park brake are accessible without disturbing an electric motor with which they are associated.