Differential Drive Or Control Patents (Class 475/150)
  • Patent number: 8956261
    Abstract: An electric motor is arranged on a reduction device, and a wet braking device which gives braking force to a motor shaft is arranged on an upper end side of the electric motor. The wet braking device has a brake case which accommodates an upper end portion of the motor shaft, an adapter which is detachably disposed to the motor shaft in the brake case, a plurality of rotating side brake disks and a plurality of non-rotating side brake disks arranged on an outer peripheral side of the adapter and a brake piston which gives braking force to the motor shaft by frictionally engaging the rotating side brake disks and the non-rotating side brake disks with each other. At the time of performing a maintenance operation for the wet braking device, the wet braking device alone can be solely removed while keeping the electric motor assembled to the reduction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Komaru, Takashi Niidome
  • Publication number: 20150038277
    Abstract: A motor drive assembly for a vehicle is provided which includes an electric motor. A rotor of the electric motor includes a spindle rotatably supported by a first bearing located on a first side of the spindle close to a speed reducer and a second bearing located on a second side of the spindle opposite from the first side of the spindle and remote from the speed reducer. The spindle includes a tubular, hollow, rotor core mounting portion having an inner diameter larger than the diameter of a cylindrical surface on which the first bearing is fitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventor: Shiro Tamura
  • Patent number: 8944950
    Abstract: An electric drive unit (EDU) is configured for driving a first and second wheel of a vehicle. The EDU includes a rotor, a stator, a first planetary gear set, a second planetary gear set, and a pair of engagement mechanisms. The first planetary gear set is operatively connected to the rotor and rotates about the drive axis in response to rotation of the rotor to transmit torque to the first wheel. The second planetary gear set is operatively connected to the rotor and rotates about the drive axis in response to rotation of the rotor to transmit torque to the second wheel. Rotation of the rotor causes each of the planetary gear sets to rotate about the drive axis. Each engagement mechanism is selectively engages a respective one of the planetary gear sets to vary the torque transmitted to the respective wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Alan G. Holmes
  • Publication number: 20150021109
    Abstract: A drive train (2) of a purely electrically drivable motor vehicle has at least one electric machine (13, 14), a transmission (21), a planetary differential (22) and a drivable axle (2). The axle (2) can be driven by the electric machine (13, 14) via the transmission (21) and the differential (22). The planetary differential (22) has an input (32, 33) connected to the electric machine (13, 14), a first output (28, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38) connected to a first section (4) of the drivable axle (2), and a second output (30, 31, 42) connected to a second section (5) of the drivable axle (2). Rotational axes of the input and outputs of the planetary differential (22) form an intermediate axis (53) arranged between an axle (15) of a rotor (17) of the electric machine (13, 14) and the drivable axle (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Daniel Knoblauch, Martin Fuechtner
  • Patent number: 8915818
    Abstract: There are provided a hub bearing, a speed reduction mechanism, and an in-wheel motor, including an inner race portion which is fixed to a support mechanism, an outer race portion which is connected to a wheel, and a rolling element which is disposed between the inner race portion and the outer race portion, and the outer race portion includes an outer race member, a wheel flange, and a fixation mechanism. The end surface of the wheel flange away from the outer race member in a direction parallel to a rotation shaft extends to the rotation shaft in relation to the inner race portion in the radial direction of the rotation shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Gunji, Yasuyuki Matsuda
  • Patent number: 8915816
    Abstract: A propulsion device (2) for a vehicle includes an output shaft (14) of a combustion engine (4), an input shaft (27) of a gearbox (8), an electrical machine (6) having a stator (24) and a rotor (26), and a planetary gear (10) movable components (18, 20, 22). A locking mechanism (38) is movable between a first position wherein the engine output shaft (14) and the gearbox input shaft (27) are allowed to rotate at different speeds via the planetary gear (10), and a second position wherein the locking mechanism (38) firmly connects the engine output shaft (14) to the gearbox input shaft (27) via the planetary gear (10). Also a method for controlling the propulsion device (2) as disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Scania CV AB
    Inventors: Mikael Bergquist, Otto Kadlac
  • Publication number: 20140364264
    Abstract: An axle assembly with a differential assembly, a housing and a transmission. The transmission has a first and second planetary gearsets that have associated (i.e., first and second) ring gears, planet carriers and sun gears. The first planet carrier is coupled to a differential carrier of the differential assembly for common rotation. The second ring gear is non-rotatably coupled to the housing. The second planet carrier is coupled to the second differential output for common rotation. The second sun gear is coupled to the first sun gear for common rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventor: Erik J. Sten
  • Patent number: 8905884
    Abstract: According to the embodiment, the electric motor controller is configured to perform control such that a free-state limit torque after switching from the ring-locking state to the free state is set to a value larger in absolute value than an upper limit torque of the first electric motor or the second electric motor determined by electric motor specifications at the time of switching from the ring-locking state to the free state or is set to a value larger in absolute value than a restricted state limit torque at the time of switching from the ring-locking state to the free state. The restricted state limit torque is a limit torque of the first electric motor or the second electric motor, and the electric motor controller performs control such that the torque generated by the first electric motor or the second electric motor is less than the free-state limit torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Noguchi, Masayuki Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 8900081
    Abstract: A power switching device includes a power transmission unit and a driving unit. The transmission unit includes a differential, an axle aligned with the differential, and a coupler sleeved movably on one of the differential and the axle. The driving unit includes a controller, a first transmission mechanism driven by the controller, and a second transmission mechanism driven by the first transmission mechanism. The controller is a solenoid or an electric actuator, and is operable to activate the second transmission mechanism. The coupler can be moved by the second transmission mechanism to interconnect the differential and the axle, so as to allow for co-rotation of the axle with the differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Kw Ang Yang Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi-Han Chang, Chao-Chang Ho
  • Publication number: 20140349802
    Abstract: A pinion shaft bearing arrangement including a pinion shaft, which is mounted by means of at least two rolling bearings in a pinion shaft housing, the pinion shaft bearing housing being a bearing cartridge, having running surface formed on the inner circumference for the rolling elements of the rolling bearings. The pinion shaft housing is sealed in the direction of the pinion shaft by means of a sealing element, and a first lubricant channel is provided in the region between the rolling bearings and a second lubricant channel is provided in the region in front of the sealing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Frank Steiner, Ramon Jurjanz, Tomas Smetana
  • Patent number: 8888638
    Abstract: A hybrid transfer case can include first and second output shafts adapted for connection to respective rear and front drivelines, a first input shaft adapted for connection to a transmission and for selective connection to the first output shaft, and a second input shaft that can be rotatably supported on the first input shaft and selectively connected to the first output shaft. The transfer case can further include a planetary gearset, a transfer system and an electric motor/generator. The planetary gearset can include a first member fixed for rotation with the first input shaft, a second member fixed for rotation with the second input shaft, and a third member. The transfer system can couple the second input shaft to the second output shaft, and the electric motor can selectively drive the third member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph G. Mueller, Carl F. Stephens
  • Patent number: 8882622
    Abstract: An electric drive device including an input member drivably coupled to an internal combustion engine, a first rotary electric machine, a second rotary electric machine disposed on an axis different from that of the first rotary electric machine, an output member drivably coupled to wheels and the second rotary electric machine, a power distribution device that distributes torque transferred from the input member to the output member and the first rotary electric machine, and a case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignees: Aisin AW Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Natsuki Sada, Tomoo Atarashi, Hirotaka Yata, Tomoaki Nishizuru, Michitaka Tsuchida
  • Patent number: 8876657
    Abstract: The automatic gear bike includes a control system for selectively operating in an automatic mode, providing power to the bike or a manual mode. The control system includes a control assembly, a motor assembly operatively in communication with the control assembly, and a gear assembly in operative engagement with the motor assembly. The gear assembly includes a ration gear, a hub, and hub embedded gear. The ration gear is operatively connected to the beam gear, and the hub embedded gear is connected to the hub. The controller receives detects the real-time bike speed, and compares the bike speed to a pre-selected bike speed. Based on the comparison the controller sends a signal to the motor assembly to selectively transfer power to the beam gear and operatively connected gear assembly, to increase or decrease the bike speed such that the real-time bike speed is substantially equal to the pre-selected speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Inventor: Fawzi Behbehani
  • Publication number: 20140323259
    Abstract: A vehicle electric drive device has an electric motor and is disposed with an engagement device between each end of an output shaft of the electric motor and each of left and right drive wheels, the vehicle electric drive device being disposed with a planetary gear device between each end of the output shaft of the electric motor and each of the left and right drive wheels, the engagement device being a brake fixing one rotating element of the planetary gear device to reduce rotation of the output shaft of the electric motor, the planetary gear device being made up of the sun gear coupled to the output shaft of the electric motor, the stepped pinion having the small-diameter gear and the large-diameter gear such that the large-diameter gear is meshed with the sun gear, the carrier supporting the stepped pinion rotatably and revolvably around the sun gear and coupled to the drive wheel, and the ring gear meshed with the small-diameter gear of the stepped pinion, and the engagement devices being disposed betwee
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masataka Sugiyama, Hiroaki Kimura
  • Patent number: 8870698
    Abstract: An electric drive module for a motor vehicle includes an electric motor assembly having a cartridge housing containing a stator, a rotor, and a rotor shaft. The rotor shaft is supported by the cartridge housing. The electric motor assembly is positioned within an axle housing. A reduction unit includes an input member being driven by the rotor shaft and includes an output member driven at a reduced speed relative to the input member. A differential assembly includes an input driven by the output member, a first differential output driving a first output shaft, and a second differential output driving a second output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Noel R. Mack, Harminder Mann
  • Publication number: 20140315675
    Abstract: When a first drive shaft and a second drive shaft rotate at equal rotational speeds, a first rotor and a second rotor rotate at equal rotational speeds. On the other hand, a rotational difference is generated between the first drive shaft and the second shaft by generating a torque between the first rotor and the second rotor and consequently, a rotational difference between the first rotor and the second rotor, so that a torque distribution between the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft is adjusted according to the torque generated between the first rotor and the second rotor. With this process, the torque distribution between the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft is adjusted without complicating the structure, and a loss when the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft rotate at equal rotational speeds is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO
    Inventor: Takao WATANABE
  • Patent number: 8864617
    Abstract: When a first output shaft (5) of a planetary differential reduction device (1) is driven to rotate, a first internal gear (24) of a first planetary reduction part (20) and a second internal gear (34) of a second planetary reduction part (30) are rotated in the same direction at the same speed, and a planetary carrier (63) of a third planetary reduction part (40) is also rotated in the same direction at the same speed, whereby a second output shaft (6) connected to the planetary carrier (63) is rotated synchronously with the first output shaft (5). When differential rotation is inputted to the second sun gear (31), a reduced rotational output is output to the planetary carrier (63) of the third planetary reduction part (40). The second output shaft (6) is added with the reduced rotational output for differential rotation, whereby the second output shaft (6) is shifted to a differential rotating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Harmonic Drive Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Norio Shirokoshi
  • Patent number: 8858379
    Abstract: An axle assembly having an electric motor module. The electric motor module may be coupled to a differential assembly. A rotor of the electric motor module may be coupled to a pinion of the differential assembly with a first coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Keeney, Mark Christopher Smith
  • Publication number: 20140302958
    Abstract: A drive device is particularly suited for driving a vehicle. The device has an electrical drive machine with a rotor. The drive machine is coupled to a drive shaft by way of a gear arrangement. The gear arrangement, which includes a gear mechanism and/or a differential, is integrated within the rotor of the electrical drive machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Frank Baeuerlein, Markus Kloepzig, Klaus Schleicher
  • Patent number: 8853882
    Abstract: Disclosed is an energy generating installation, especially a wind power station, including a drive shaft, a generator (8) and a differential transmission (11 to 13) provided with three drives or outputs. A first drive is connected to the drive shaft, one output is connected to a generator (8), and a second drive is connected (23) to a differential drive (6). A ring gear carrier (18) is connected to a generator shaft (24). The generator shaft (24) is mounted (25) via the ring gear carrier (18) on a housing (26) of the generator (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Inventor: Gerald Hehenberger
  • Patent number: 8840500
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical drive unit connectable with multiple power sources for launching and propelling a vehicle includes an output member, a stationary member, a gear-train, and a torque-transmitting device. The drive unit also includes a compound planetary gear arrangement having a first, second, third, and fourth junction points. The power sources include a first motor/generator and a second motor/generator. The second motor/generator is operatively connected to the compound planetary gear arrangement at the first junction point via the gear-train and the output member is operatively connected to the compound planetary gear arrangement at the second junction point. Additionally, the first motor/generator is operatively connected to the compound planetary gear arrangement at the fourth junction point. Furthermore, the torque-transmitting device is engageable to ground the third junction point to the stationary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Goro Tamai, Anthony J. Corsetti, Alan G. Holmes, Brendan M. Conlon
  • Patent number: 8840506
    Abstract: A parking lock assembly for a motor vehicle is described that has at least one electrically drivable driving axle. The parking lock comprises an electric drive, a shaft which is arranged in the driveline of a motor vehicle and which is drivable by the electric drive, as well as a locking mechanism which is controllable in the locking sense in order to prevent a rotational movement of the shaft and which is controllable in the opening sense in order to release the shaft. The electric drive is controllable in order to transmit torque to the shaft if, in spite of the locking mechanism being controlled in the opening sense, the shaft is prevented from carrying out a rotational movement. Furthermore, a method of actuating such a parking lock assembly is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Schwekutsch, Theodor Gassmann, Mark Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20140274529
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an improved, integrated electronically controlled hydraulic-based torque distribution system and related method. The torque distribution system of the present disclosure includes an electric motor that drives a pump that generates hydraulic pressure used to selectively activate a clutch pack to transfer torque to the wheels of a motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Edler, Daniel Fisher, Scott Besemer, Christian Chimner
  • Publication number: 20140274530
    Abstract: A bi-directional overrunning clutch assembly for engaging secondary driven shafts in a four wheel drive vehicle. The assembly includes a differential housing with a pinion input gear rotatably disposed within it that is engaged to a drive shaft. A bi-directional overrunning clutch housing is engaged to the pinion gear. A roll cage assembly is located inside the clutch housing. A pair of hubs are positioned within the roll cage assembly and connected to the secondary driven shafts. An electromagnetic system controls indexes the roll cage in a first direction relative to the clutch housing a first indexing device for coupling the secondary drive shaft to the secondary driven axles when four wheel drive is needed, and in an opposite direction using a second indexing device when an engine braking condition is needed. A spring assembly is preferably used to bias the roll cage back to a neutral position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Howard J. Knickerbocker, David C. Ochab, Mathew Cowen
  • Publication number: 20140274527
    Abstract: A drive module with a planetary transmission that includes a transmission housing, a first ring gear and a second ring gear. The first ring gear is rotatably mounted in the transmission housing, the second ring gear is non-rotatably mounted in the transmission housing, and the first ring gear is supported on the second ring gear to thereby align a central axis of the first ring gear to a central axis of the second ring gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: EAAM DRIVELINE SYSTEMS AB
    Inventors: Erik J. Sten, Thomas C. Bengtsson
  • Publication number: 20140274528
    Abstract: A drive module that includes an electric motor and a multi-speed transmission assembly having a two-speed planetary transmission stage. The multi-speed transmission assembly outputs rotary power to a differential assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 8827052
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a decelerator in which a first deceleration unit of a planet gear type is provided inside a second deceleration unit of a cycloid type so as to apply eccentric rotation force to the second deceleration unit, and a motor brake with the same. The decelerator restricts an increase in the axial thickness of a motor and achieves an effectively increased deceleration ratio, and the motor brake equipped with the decelerator restricts an increase of the overall length thereof due to the decelerator, achieving enhanced space utility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventors: Sung Wook Yu, Chang Bok Ko
  • Patent number: 8808127
    Abstract: A differential assembly is disclosed, and more particularly a differential assembly for a motor vehicle driving axle drivable by an electric motor. The differential assembly comprises a driving gear; a differential drive with an input part and two output parts, wherein the output parts are drivingly connected to the input part and, relative to one another, have a differential effect; a coupling which is arranged effectively between the driving gear and the differential drive, wherein, in a closed condition of the coupling, torque is transmitted from the driving gear to the differential drive and, in an open condition of the coupling, a transmission of torque is interrupted; a controllable actuator for actuating the coupling and a sensor for determining at least three switched positions of the coupling. Furthermore, a driving assembly with such a differential assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Seidl, Jiri Marks
  • Patent number: 8808132
    Abstract: A torque vectoring differential includes a pair of planetary gear assemblies having a common planet gear carrier which is driven from the output of a transmission. Each of the planetary gear assemblies include a ring gear that may be individually and selectively grounded (braked) to a stationary housing by a friction brake and a sun gear that is coupled through an axle to a respective drive wheel. Selective activation of the brakes controls the distribution, i.e., vectoring, of torque to each of the drive wheels. Each planetary gear assembly includes elongated planet gears which mesh not only with their respective sun and ring gears but also with the planet gears of the other planetary gear assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventor: Craig S. Ross
  • Publication number: 20140209398
    Abstract: A vehicular motor drive device is provided with an electric motor and a speed reducer having two gear trains capable of switching a fixed gear ratio. Driving force curves, which are determined depending on an output characteristic of the motor and represent a relationship between an output rotation speed in the respective gear train and an output torque, which is obtainable maximally at such output rotation speed, have a constant torque curve section, a gradually decreasing torque curve section and a constant speed curve section. The gear trains have respective speed reduction ratios such that the driving force curve of a gear train having a larger speed reduction ratio and the driving force curve of a gear train having a smaller speed reduction ratio continue to and partially overlap with each other in the gradually decreasing torque curve sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fumihiro Isobe, Tomoaki Makino
  • Patent number: 8784253
    Abstract: A second shaft is configured by a shaft portion extending outside a housing in which a nutation gear mechanism is housed, a housing portion, and a cylindrical portion. A communicating hole, through which an outside and an inside of the housing portion communicate with each other, is formed in the shaft portion. A preload applying mechanism includes a preload adjusting plug that is screwed to the housing portion and is able to be operated from outside through the communicating hole, a wave washer compressed in accordance with a position of the preload adjusting plug, and a lock nut that is screwed to the housing portion of the second shaft so as to press the preload adjusting plug toward the nutation gear mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Sasaki, Satoshi Motoyama, Tomonari Yamakawa, Masanori Natsume
  • Patent number: 8783393
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Mark J. Besler, Carolyn Lambka Drum, Chris Ruden, Kinte Allen, Jeffrey S. Turner
  • Publication number: 20140141918
    Abstract: An object is to reduce various losses occurring in a speed-reduction/differential gear apparatus for electric vehicles including a planetary-gear speed reducer and a differential device, thereby improving transmission efficiency of the driving force and increasing travel distance of the electric vehicle per battery charge. A speed-reduction/differential gear apparatus for electric vehicles includes a planetary-gear speed reducer and a differential device. A planetary gear mechanism in the speed reducer includes a speed-reducer-side carrier which has its inner diameter surface supported by a speed-reducer-side carrier support bearing. The invention provides proper mesh between in the pair of engaging teeth, leading to decrease in loss torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventors: Rino Fukami, Katsufumi Abe
  • Publication number: 20140135169
    Abstract: An electric drive module for use in electric vehicles includes an electric traction motor, a geared reduction unit driven by the electric motor, a differential unit interconnecting a pair of axleshafts to a pair of wheels, and a disconnect mechanism for selectively coupling and uncoupling the geared reduction unit and the differential unit. The disconnect mechanism is configured to normally couple the geared reduction unit to the differential unit. The disconnect mechanism uncouples the geared reduction unit from the differential unit to prevent peak torque transients and torque reversals between the electric motor and the wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: MAGNA E-CAR SYSTEMS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Michel Paul Rossey, Edward A. Vaughn
  • Patent number: 8702544
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical drive unit connectable with multiple power sources for launching and propelling a vehicle includes an output member, a stationary member, and a torque-transmitting device. The drive unit also includes a compound planetary gear arrangement having a first, second, third, and fourth junction point. The power sources include a first motor/generator and a second motor/generator. The first motor/generator and the second motor/generator are disposed on a common rotating axis. The second motor/generator is operatively connected to the compound planetary gear arrangement at the first junction point and the output member is operatively connected to the compound planetary gear arrangement at the second junction point. Additionally, the first motor/generator is operatively connected to the compound planetary gear arrangement at the fourth junction point. Furthermore, the torque-transmitting device is engageable to ground the third junction point to the stationary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Goro Tamai, Anthony J. Corsetti, Alan G. Holmes, Brendan M. Conlon
  • Patent number: 8702546
    Abstract: A device for a drive-train of a hybrid vehicle having a planetary gear system that comprises three elements, namely, a ring gear, sun gear and carrier. A first element of these elements of the planetary gear system has a fixed connection with a transmission input shaft of a transmission. A second element of the elements of the planetary gear system has a fixed connection with an electric machine of a hybrid drive. A clutch which can couple two of the three elements of the planetary gear system with one another. Additionally, a shifting element is provided by which a third element, of these three elements of the planetary gear system, can be coupled, in a first shift position, to an internal combustion engine of the hybrid drive and, in a second shift position, to one of a housing or a stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Kai Borntraeger
  • Publication number: 20140106921
    Abstract: An electric drive module for a motor vehicle includes an electric motor, a first input member, a first output member and a two-speed module selectively drivingly interconnecting the first input member and the first output member at one of two different drive ratios. A reduction unit includes a second input member being driven by the first output member and has a second output member being driven at a reduced speed relative to the second input member. A differential assembly has an input driven by said second output member. A first differential output drives a first output shaft, and a second differential output drives a second output shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventors: Noel R. Mack, John R. Forsyth, David W. Wenthen, Richard A. Bakowski, Mario Charles DeSantis, Kelly Rathnaw
  • Patent number: 8696504
    Abstract: The present invention provides a dual power driving system with epicycle gear sets transmitted in series, in which the input shaft, the output shaft and the controllable brake device of each epicycle gear set can be coaxially connected in series, or connected in parallel or not in parallel; the rotating shaft at the output end and the rotating shaft at the input end of each epicycle gear set can be directly connected, or an intermediate transmission device can be installed for connection, and through operating the controllable brake devices to choose the structural configurations of the dual power driving system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Publication number: 20140087906
    Abstract: An axle assembly having an electric motor module. The electric motor module may be coupled to a differential assembly. A rotor of the electric motor module may be coupled to a pinion of the differential assembly with a first coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: ArvinMeritor Technology Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Keeney, Mark Christopher Smith
  • Patent number: 8678969
    Abstract: A vehicular drive system provided with an electric motor for generating a drive force to be transmitted to drive wheels, includes: the electric motor including an output rotary member having opposite end portions from which the drive force of the electric motor is transmitted to the drive wheels; two power connecting/disconnecting devices respectively configured to selectively connect and disconnect each of the opposite end portions of the output rotary member to and from the drive wheels; and the two power connecting/disconnecting devices being controlled to selectively connect the opposite end portions of the output rotary member to the drive wheels, for thereby changing a ratio of rotating speeds of the drive wheels to an operating speed of the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiro Sato, Hiroyuki Ishii
  • Publication number: 20140080653
    Abstract: A drive device (1, 20) including an electric machine (3), a first planetary gear (4), a differential (5) and an operative connection between a drive shaft (3a) of the electric machine (3) and a first planetary pinion (4a) of the first planetary gear (4), said first planetary pinion (4) engaging with the first planet wheels (4b) which engage with a stationary first ring gear (4) and which are rotationally mounted on a first planet carrier (4c) which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a differential cage (5a) of the differential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Smetana
  • Patent number: 8672790
    Abstract: A device for torque vectoring in a wheeled vehicle is presented. The device includes a differential mechanism arranged on an axle having a first drive shaft and a second drive shaft, an electrical power source connected to an electrical motor, the electrical motor being connectable to the axle for torque vectoring between the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft, and control means connected to the power source and configured to receive a plurality of variables representing the current vehicle state and to determine drive currents being dependent on the variables, wherein the drive currents are supplied to the electrical motor from the power source for introducing a torque increase to either one of the first or second drive shafts and a corresponding torque decrease to the other one of the first or second drive shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: BorgWarner TorqTransfer Systems AB
    Inventors: Lars Severinsson, Kristoffer Nilsson
  • Patent number: 8668611
    Abstract: The present invention is structured by a dual-drive electric machine being combined with an epicycle gear set (EG101) and a controllable brake device, through controlling the controllable brake device to perform brake locking or releasing, the operations of transmission function of combining transmission or releasing between a rotation shaft (S101) at an output/input end, a rotation shaft (S102) at an output/input end and a sleeve type rotation shaft (AS101) at an output/input end of the epicycle gear set (EG101) are enabled to be controlled, and the interacting operation between the dual-drive electric machine (EM100) and the output/input ends are also enabled to be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Patent number: 8663051
    Abstract: An axle assembly with an input member, a first planetary gear set, a differential assembly, and a second planetary gear set. The first planetary gear set has a first transmission input that is driven by the input member. The differential assembly has a differential carrier and first and second differential output members received in the differential carrier. The second planetary gear set has a planet carrier coupled to the differential carrier for common rotation. A sun gear of the first planetary gear set is non-rotatably coupled to a sun gear of the second planetary gear set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: e-AAM Driveline Systems AB
    Inventor: Erik Sten
  • Publication number: 20140051538
    Abstract: An electric drive module for transferring torque to wheels of a motor vehicle a planetary gearset having a first member driven by the rotor and a second member. A synchronizer restricts a third member of the planetary gearset from rotation when the electric drive module operates at a first drive ratio. The synchronizer transfers energy from the rotating rotor to the third member during a shift between the first drive ratio and a second drive ratio to match the rotational speeds of the rotor and the second member. A reduction unit includes an input member being driven by the second member and also includes an output member driven at a reduced speed relative to the input member. A differential assembly includes an input driven by the output member, a first differential output driving a first output shaft, and a second differential output driving a second output shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Magna Powertrain Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Wenthen, John R. Forsyth
  • Patent number: 8651991
    Abstract: A drive module that includes a housing, first and second axle shafts, a differential assembly, a propulsion motor, a brake element fixed to the housing, a torque-vectoring transmission and a mode gear. The differential assembly is mounted in the housing for rotation about a rotational axis and has a differential case and a pair of output members. A first one of the output members is coupled to the first axle shaft for common rotation. The torque-vectoring transmission cooperates with the differential assembly to transmit rotary power to the second axle shaft. The mode gear is movable between a first position and a second position. Positioning of the mode gear in the first position permits transmission of rotary power between the propulsion motor and the differential assembly. Positioning of the mode gear in the second position couples the differential assembly to the housing to inhibit rotation of the first axle shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: e-AAM Driveline Systems AB
    Inventors: Erik J. Sten, Mikael P. Larsson
  • Patent number: 8649950
    Abstract: A rotary power source directly drives an epicyclic gear set, or drives the epicyclic gear set through a transmission device, and a respective controllable multiple speed-ratio device is individually installed between two output shafts of the epicyclic gear set and the loads driven thereby, to enable the wheel sets of the driven loads to be differentially driven with a different driving speed ratio and driving torque while propelling a combined common load. A limited slip differential or stabilizer device may be connected between the output ends of the two controllable multiple speed-ratio devices, the limited slip differential or stabilizer providing a slip coupling torque to stabilize driving of the respective individual loads, as necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Patent number: 8641568
    Abstract: An electric machine arrangement for an electric axle of a motor vehicle has an electric machine. The electric machine is connected via a gearbox to at least one drive shaft which can be connected to a driven wheel of the motor vehicle. Further, the machine arrangement has a machine housing. The electric machine has a stator fixed to the housing and a rotor which is connected to an input element of the gearbox. The rotor is rotatably mounted on the machine housing by a first and a second rotor bearing section. The first rotor bearing section is connected to a machine output shaft which is connected to the input element of the gearbox. The machine output shaft is guided through the second rotor bearing section in a contactless fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: GETRAG Getriebe- und Zahnradfabrik Hermann Hagenmayer GmbH & Cie KG
    Inventors: Daniel Knoblauch, Ulrich Knoedel
  • Publication number: 20140031161
    Abstract: A transmission to transfer power from an electric motor to first and second axles of a vehicle includes an input shaft adapted to be driven by the electric motor and a first planetary gear set. A second planetary gear set has a first member driven by the first planetary gear set, a second member restricted from rotation and a third member. A differential assembly has a first side gear adapted to drive the first axle, a second side gear adapted to drive the second axle and a pair of pinion gears meshed with the first and second side gears. A first clutch is operable to drivingly interconnect the first member and the differential assembly. A second clutch is operable to drivingly interconnect the third member and the differential assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Magna Powertrain USA, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Wenthen
  • Publication number: 20140024487
    Abstract: Construction of a friction roller reducer is achieved wherein displacement of intermediate rollers due to the change in thickness in the axial direction of loading cam apparatuses can be performed smoothly, and excellent transmission efficiency can be obtained. Long guide holes that are long in the radial direction of a sun roller and ring-shaped roller are provided in guide blocks that are fastened to a support frame for supporting the end sections of rotation shafts of intermediate rollers. The outer rings of ball bearings, of which the inner rings are fitted around and fastened to the outside of the end sections of the rotation shafts, engage with the long guide holes so as to be able to displace in the radial direction of the sun roller and the ring-shaped roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Kazutaka Tanaka, Yasuyuki Matsuda, Takashi Imanishi, Eiji Inoue, Hiroyasu Yoshioka, Tsutomu Hibi