Electric motor conversion system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11677293-B2
Application number	US-202117159851-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 27, 2021
Priority date	Jan 27, 2021
Publication date	Jun 13, 2023
Grant date	Jun 13, 2023

Abstract

An internal combustion engine to electric motor conversion system for a work machine is provided. The electric motor conversion system is sized to substantially conform to a footprint of the internal combustion engine on the work machine. The electric motor conversion system includes an electric motor, a power distribution unit and a connecting bracket. The electric motor is configured for direct mounting on a frame of the work machine. The power distribution unit is separate from and positioned atop the electric motor. The power distribution unit controls operation of the electric motor. The connecting bracket is separate from the electric motor and power distribution unit. The connecting bracket includes a base, first attachment elements extending from a lower surface of the base for attachment to the electric motor, and second attachment elements extending from an upper surface of the base for attachment to the power distribution unit.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An internal combustion engine to electric motor conversion system for an associated work machine, the electric motor conversion system sized to substantially conform to a footprint an associated internal combustion engine on the associated work machine, the electric motor conversion system comprising:
an electric motor configured for direct mounting on an associated frame of the associated work machine;
a power distribution unit separate from and positioned atop the electric motor, the power distribution unit controlling operation of the electric motor; and
a connecting bracket separate from the electric motor and power distribution unit, the connecting bracket including a base, first attachment elements extending from a lower surface of the base for attachment to the electric motor, and second attachment elements extending from an upper surface of the base for attachment to the power distribution unit.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the base is positioned between the electric motor and the power distribution unit and is sized to be confined within an outermost perimeter of the power distribution unit.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the lower surface of the base extends parallel to the upper surface of the base.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first attachment elements are positioned inwardly from a perimeter edge of the base.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second attachment elements are defined by mounting arms that extend from first and second opposite side edges of the base.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the second attachment elements include a first pair of mounting arms extended from the first side edge of the base and a second pair of mounting arms extended from the opposite second side edge of the base.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the first and second side edges extend along a length dimension of the electric motor.

8. The system of claim 5 , wherein each of the mounting arms is shaped to limit vibration transmission from the electric motor to the power distribution unit.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second attachment elements are mounted within a recessed area of the power distribution unit.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the electric motor and the power distribution unit together define a component space on the associated work machine that positionally matches an associated component space on the associated work machine defined by the associated internal combustion engine.

11. The system of claim 1 , including a battery separate from and positioned within a seat defined atop the power distribution unit, wherein the battery is confined within an outermost perimeter of the power distribution unit.

12. An internal combustion engine to electric motor conversion system for an associated work machine, the electric motor conversion system sized to substantially conform to a footprint of an associated internal combustion engine on the associated work machine, the electric motor conversion system comprising:
an electric motor configured for mounting on an associated frame of the associated work machine;
a power distribution unit separate from the electric motor for controlling operation of the electric motor; and
a connecting bracket positioned between the electric motor and the power distribution unit, the bracket including a base covering the electric motor, first attachment elements extended in a first direction from the base for attachment to the electric motor, and second attachment elements extended in a second opposite direction from the base for attachment to the power distribution unit.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the first attachment elements extend from a lower surface of the base, and the second attachment elements extend from an upper surface of the base.

14. The system of claim 12 , wherein the base is sized to be confined within an outermost perimeter of the power distribution unit.

15. The system of claim 12 , wherein the second attachment elements are defined by mounting arms that extend from first and second opposite side edges of the base.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the second attachment elements include a first pair of mounting arms extended from the first side edge and a second pair of mounting arms extended from the opposite second side edge.

17. The system of claim 12 , including a battery separate from and positioned within a seat defined atop the power distribution unit, wherein the battery is confined within an outermost perimeter of the power distribution unit.

18. An internal combustion engine to electric motor conversion system for an associated work machine, the electric motor conversion system sized to substantially conform to a footprint of an associated internal combustion engine on the associated work machine, the electric motor conversion system including an electric motor configured for mounting on an associated frame of the associated work machine, and a separate power distribution unit positioned atop the electric motor for controlling operation of the electric motor, the electric motor conversion system comprising:
a connecting bracket separate from the electric motor and power distribution unit, the connecting bracket including a base positioned between the electric motor and the power distribution unit, first attachment elements extending from a lower surface of the base for direct attachment to the electric motor, and second attachment elements extending from an upper surface of the base for direct attachment to the power distribution unit,
wherein the base includes first and second opposite side edges and third and fourth opposite side edges, the side edges defining a perimeter edge of the base,
wherein the first attachment elements are positioned inwardly from the perimeter edge of the base,
wherein the second attachment elements include a first pair of spaced mounting arms extended from the first side edge of the base and a second pair of spaced mounting arms extended from the opposite second side edge of the base,
wherein one mounting arm of the first pair of mounting arms extends along the first side edge from an intersection of the first and third side edges and includes a recessed area facing the other mounting arm of the first pair of mounting arms, the other mounting arm extends along the first side edge from an intersection of the first and fourth side edges,
wherein the second pair of mounting arms are configured the same as the first pair of mounting arms.

Assignees

• Honda Motor Co Ltd

Inventors

• Lilley Nicholas Lamar

Classifications

• F16M1/08

  characterised by being built-up of sheet material or welded parts · CPC title

• F16M7/00

  Details of attaching or adjusting engine beds, frames, or supporting-legs on foundation or base; Attaching non-moving engine parts, e.g. cylinder blocks (elastic or equivalent mounting for absorbing vibrations F16F, especially F16F15/04) · CPC title

• B60L50/15

  with additional electric power supply (with capacitors charged by engine-driven generators B60L50/40; with batteries charged by engine-driven generators B60L50/61) · CPC title

• H02K5/04

  Casings or enclosures characterised by the shape, form or construction thereof · CPC title

• E01C19/40

  adapted to impart a smooth finish to the paving, e.g. tamping or vibrating finishers · CPC title