Electric drive axle configuration
The present disclosure provides a front axle of a vehicle including a motor disposed near the center of the axle and a shaft coupled at one end thereof to the motor, where the shaft defines a first axis. A first gear is coupled to a second gear, the first gear being coupled to the shaft at an end opposite the motor and being disposed along the first axis. The second gear is disposed along a second axis, where the first axis and second axis are substantially parallel to but spaced from one another. A steering pivot defines a steering axis about which a final drive assembly pivots and a wheel lean pivot defines a lean axis about which the final drive pivots. The lean axis is substantially perpendicular to the steering axis. A constant-velocity joint is disposed at the intersection of the steering axis and lean axis.
1. A front axle of a vehicle, comprising:
a motor disposed near a center of the axle;
a shaft coupled at one end thereof to the motor, where the shaft defines a first axis;
a first gear coupled to a second gear, the first gear being coupled to the shaft at an end opposite the motor and being disposed along the first axis;
the second gear disposed along a second axis, where the first axis and second axis are substantially parallel to but spaced from one another;
a final drive assembly coupled to the second gear at one end of the axle;
a steering pivot defining a steering axis about which the final drive assembly pivots;
a wheel lean pivot defining a lean axis about which the final drive pivots, the lean axis being substantially perpendicular to the steering axis; and
a constant-velocity joint disposed at an intersection of the steering axis and lean axis.
2. The front axle of claim 1 , wherein the motor is an electric motor.
3. The front axle of claim 1 , further comprising a second motor disposed adjacent the first motor near the center of the axle.
4. The front axle of claim 3 , further comprising:
a second final drive assembly disposed at an end of the axle opposite the first drive assembly, the second final drive assembly being pivotal about a second steering axis and a second lean axis; and
a second constant-velocity joint disposed at the intersection of the second steering axis and second lean axis.
5. The front axle of claim 4 , wherein the second motor is disposed along the first axis and the second final drive assembly is disposed along the second axis.
6. The front axle of claim 1 , wherein the steering axis is substantially perpendicular to the first and second axes.
7. The front axle of claim 1 , wherein the first gear is integrally coupled to the shaft.
8. The front axle of claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the first gear is approximately 0.25-0.75 a diameter of the second gear.
9. A front axle for a motor grader, the front axle having a first end and a second end, comprising:
an electric motor disposed near a center of the front axle;
a shaft coupled at one end to the motor;
a portal gearset including a first gear coupled to a second gear, the first gear being coupled to the shaft at an end opposite the motor;
a final drive assembly disposed at the first end and second end of the axle, the final drive assembly being coupled to the second gear and configured to couple to a front wheel;
a steering pivot about which the final drive pivots, the steering pivot defining a steering axis;
a wheel lean pivot defining a lean axis about which the final drive pivots, the lean axis being perpendicular to the steering axis; and
a constant-velocity joint disposed at an intersection of the steering axis and lean axis.
10. The front axle of claim 9 , wherein a diameter of the second gear is approximately twice a diameter of the first gear.
11. The front axle of claim 9 , wherein the first gear is integrally coupled to the shaft.
12. The front axle of claim 9 , wherein the first gear is disposed along a first axis and the second gear is disposed along a second axis, the first axis and second axis being substantially parallel to but offset from one another.
13. The front axle of claim 12 , wherein the steering axis is substantially perpendicular to the first and second axes.
14. An electric drive motor grader, comprising:
a front frame and a rear frame;
a first axle and a second axle, the first axle being coupled to the front frame and the second axle being coupled to the rear frame;
an electric motor disposed near a center of the first axle and a shaft coupled to the motor;
a portal gearset including a first gear coupled to a second gear, the first gear being coupled to the shaft at an end opposite the motor;
a final drive assembly disposed at the first end and second end of the first axle, the final drive assembly being coupled to the second gear and configured to couple to a front wheel;
a steering pivot about which the final drive pivots, the steering pivot defining a steering axis;
a wheel lean pivot defining a lean axis about which the final drive pivots, the lean axis being perpendicular to the steering axis; and
a constant-velocity joint disposed at an intersection of the steering axis and lean axis.
15. The motor grader of claim 14 , further comprising a second electric motor disposed adjacent the first motor near the center of the first axle.
16. The motor grader of claim 15 , further comprising:
a second final drive assembly disposed at an end of the first axle opposite the first drive assembly, the second final drive assembly being pivotal about a second steering axis and a second lean axis; and
a second constant-velocity joint disposed at the intersection of the second steering axis and second lean axis.
17. The motor grader of claim 16 , wherein the first gear is disposed along a first axis and the second gear is disposed along a second axis, the first axis and second axis being substantially parallel to but offset from one another.
18. The motor grader of claim 17 , wherein the first and second electric motors are disposed along the first axis and the first and second constant-velocity joints are disposed along the second axis.
19. The motor grader of claim 17 , wherein the steering axis is substantially perpendicular to the first and second axes.
20. The motor grader of claim 14 , wherein a diameter of the first gear is approximately 0.25-0.75 a diameter of the second gear.