Electric drive axle in a vehicle
An electric drive axle in a vehicle is provided. The electric drive axle includes, in one example, a housing configured to enclose an electric motor-generator and a gearbox. In the electric drive axle, the housing includes a first section that is removably coupled to a second section, the second section at least partially encloses the gearbox, the first section includes a first axle shaft opening, and the second section includes a second axle shaft opening that is laterally aligned with the first axle shaft opening.
1. An electric drive axle, comprising:
a housing configured to enclose an electric motor-generator and a gearbox;
wherein the housing includes a first section that is removably coupled to a second section;
wherein the second section at least partially encloses the gearbox;
wherein the first section includes a first axle shaft opening and the second section includes a second axle shaft opening that is laterally aligned with the first axle shaft opening;
wherein the second section longitudinally extends between a rotational axis of the electric motor-generator and a rotational axis of an axle shaft; and
wherein the housing includes a plurality of reinforcing ribs that traverse a depression formed between a motor enclosure and a differential enclosure.
2. The electric drive axle of claim 1 , wherein the electric drive axle is a rigid beam axle.
3. The electric drive axle of claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a third section removably coupled to the first section and configured to enclose a differential.
4. The electric drive axle of claim 3 , wherein the housing includes a fourth section removably coupled to the first section and configured to at least partially enclose the electric motor-generator.
5. The electric drive axle of claim 4 , wherein a first interface is formed between the first section and the second section and at least partially circumferentially surrounds the gearbox.
6. The electric drive axle of claim 5 , wherein:
a second interface is formed between the third section and the first section; and
the first interface is laterally offset from the second interface.
7. The electric drive axle of claim 6 , wherein the first interface and the second interface are perpendicularly arranged in relation to one another.
8. The electric drive axle of claim 4 , wherein the fourth section is laterally offset from the first axle shaft opening.
9. An electric drive axle, comprising:
a housing configured to enclose an electric motor-generator and a gearbox;
wherein the housing includes a first section that is removably coupled to a second section;
wherein the second section at least partially encloses the gearbox;
wherein the first section includes a first axle shaft opening and the second section includes a second axle shaft opening that is laterally aligned with the first axle shaft opening;
wherein the housing includes a third section removably coupled to the first section and configured to enclose a differential;
wherein the housing includes a fourth section removably coupled to the first section and configured to at least partially enclose the electric motor-generator; and
wherein the fourth section is laterally offset from the first axle shaft opening.
10. The electric drive axle of claim 9 , wherein the electric drive axle is a rigid beam axle.
11. The electric drive axle of claim 9 , wherein the second section longitudinally extends between a rotational axis of the electric motor-generator and a rotational axis of an axle shaft.
12. The electric drive axle of claim 11 , wherein the housing includes a plurality of reinforcing ribs that traverse a depression formed between a motor enclosure and a differential enclosure.
13. The electric drive axle of claim 9 , wherein a first interface is formed between the first section and the second section and at least partially circumferentially surrounds the gearbox.
14. The electric drive axle of claim 13 , wherein:
a second interface is formed between the third section and the first section; and
the first interface is laterally offset from the second interface.
15. The electric drive axle of claim 14 , wherein the first interface and the second interface are perpendicularly arranged in relation to one another.