IP Library Granted Patent US 12,565,095
Granted Patent B2
US 12,565,095 · App. 18/451,329 · Granted Mar 3, 2026

Transmission with integrated electric drivetrain

Inventors: Kevin R King (Bettendorf, IA); Curtis P. Thoreson (Janesville, IA); Joseph F. Lingle (Davenport, IA); Clayton P. Neumann (Cedar Falls, IA); Daniel P. Lipp (Fargo, ND); Clement V. Godbold (Cary, NC)
Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
B60K6/54B60K6/28B60Y2200/221B60Y2306/03B60Y2400/61
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,565,095
App. No.
18/451,329
Granted
Mar 3, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A transmission for a work vehicle includes a transmission housing forming an enclosure for one or more transmission components, a reservoir in a lower portion of the transmission housing, the reservoir including transmission fluid, a first electric machine positioned within an upper portion of the transmission housing, an electronic component positioned at least partially within the reservoir, and a first busbar connected between the first electric machine and the electronic component. The first busbar includes a vertical portion extending from a location near the first electric machine to a location near the electronic component.

Claims (36)

1 . A transmission for a work vehicle, comprising:

a transmission housing forming an enclosure for one or more transmission components;

a reservoir in a lower portion of the transmission housing, the reservoir including transmission fluid;

a first electric machine positioned within an upper portion of the transmission housing;

an electronic component positioned at least partially within the reservoir; and

a first busbar connected between the first electric machine and the electronic component, the first busbar including a vertical portion extending from a location near the first electric machine to a location near the electronic component.

2 . The transmission of claim 1 , further comprising:

a second electric machine positioned within an upper portion of the transmission housing; and

a second busbar connected between the second electric machine and the electronic component, the second busbar including a vertical portion extending from a location near the second electric machine to a location near the electronic component.

3 . The transmission of claim 1 , wherein transmission fluid from the first electric machine flows down the first busbar to the electronic component and into the reservoir.

4 . The transmission of claim 1 , wherein the first busbar is a solid conductor busbar.

5 . The transmission of claim 1 , wherein the electronic component is a power electronics device.

6 . The transmission of claim 1 , wherein the electronic component is a motor drive which can provide one or more of inversion and active rectification.

7 . The transmission of claim 1 , wherein the busbar includes a horizontal portion and an inclined portion.

8 . The transmission of claim 1 , wherein the first electric machine is positioned above and over the electronic component.

9 . The transmission of claim 1 , wherein the first electric machine is a motor-generator.

10 . The transmission of claim 1 , further comprising:

a conduit positioned between the electronic component and the transmission housing, the conduit including a radial seal between the conduit and the transmission housing and an axial seal between the conduit and the electronic component, and the conduit forming a sealed passageway from the electronic component to an exterior of the transmission housing.

11 . A work vehicle including a transmission, comprising:

a transmission housing forming an enclosure for one or more transmission components;

a reservoir in a lower portion of the transmission housing, the reservoir including transmission fluid;

a first electric machine positioned within an upper portion of the transmission housing;

an electronic component positioned at least partially within the reservoir; and

a first busbar connected between the first electric machine and the electronic component, the first busbar including a vertical portion extending from a location near the first electric machine to a location near the electronic component.

12 . The work vehicle of claim 11 , further comprising:

a second electric machine positioned within an upper portion of the transmission housing; and

a second busbar connected between the second electric machine and the electronic component, the second busbar including a vertical portion extending from a location near the second electric machine to a location near the electronic component.

13 . The work vehicle of claim 11 , wherein transmission fluid from the first electric machine flows down the first busbar to the electronic component and into the reservoir.

14 . The work vehicle of claim 11 , wherein the first busbar is a solid conductor busbar.

15 . The work vehicle of claim 11 , wherein the electronic component is a power electronics device.

16 . The work vehicle of claim 11 , wherein the electronic component is a motor drive which can provide one or more of inversion and active rectification.

17 . The work vehicle of claim 11 , wherein the busbar includes a horizontal portion and an inclined portion.

18 . The work vehicle of claim 11 , wherein the first electric machine is positioned above and over the electronic component.

19 . The work vehicle of claim 11 , wherein the first electric machine is a motor-generator.

20 . The work vehicle of claim 11 , further comprising:

a conduit positioned between the electronic component and the transmission housing, the conduit including a radial seal between the conduit and the transmission housing and an axial seal between the conduit and the electronic component, and the conduit forming a sealed passageway from the electronic component to an exterior of the transmission housing.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 17, 2023
From: KING, KEVIN R.; THORESON, CURTIS P.; LINGLE, JOSEPH F.; NEUMANN, CLAYTON P.; LIPP, DANIEL P.; GODBOLD, CLEMENT V.; KELLY SERVICES INC.
To: DEERE & COMPANY
Reel/Frame 064622/0882 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63505728 · Jun 2, 2023
Related Publication 20240399848A1 · Dec 5, 2024
References Cited (19)
US 4454381A · Ito et al. · 1984 [cited by applicant]
US 7772506B2 · Suter et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 9030063B2 · Rawlinson et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9543069B2 · Vafakhah et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 10644571B2 · Hatch · 2020 [cited by examiner]
US 10948070B2 · Kuhl et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11420512B2 · Worley · 2022 [cited by examiner]
US 11439028B2 · Atsumi et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 20180262089A1 · Hatch · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20200144579A1 · Narayanan et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20210170857A1 · Worley et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
CN 104626953B · 2018 [cited by applicant]
DE 102019129043A1 · 2020 [cited by applicant]
DE 102021128044A1 · 2022 [cited by applicant]
DE 102023110970A1 · 2024 [cited by applicant]
Electrical Box Penetrations, https://buildingscience.com/documents/information-sheets/air-barriers-airtight-drywall-approach, accessed May 10, 2023, 1 page. [cited by applicant]
Air Sealed Electrical Box, https://basc.pnnl.gov/images?items_per_page=50&page=5, accessed on May 10, 2023, 1 page. [cited by applicant]
Electrical Wiring, https://basc.pnnl.gov/sites/default/files/images/TE513_electricalwiring2_BSCairbarrier_CV-PNNL_06-03-12.jpg, accessed May 10, 2023, 1 page. [cited by applicant]
German Search Report issued in application No. 102024101801.1 dated Sep. 25, 2024, 12 pages. [cited by applicant]