Corner module apparatus for vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12552247-B2
Application number	US-202218081913-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 15, 2022
Priority date	Jan 21, 2022
Publication date	Feb 17, 2026
Grant date	Feb 17, 2026

Abstract

Disclosed is a corner module apparatus for a vehicle. The corner module includes a knuckle coupled to a wheel bearing rotatably supporting a wheel, a drive motor, configured to generate a drive power, spaced a distance away from the wheel, a transfer shaft, disposed between the wheel and the drive motor, configured to transfer the drive power generated from the drive motor, a suspension connected to the knuckle and configured to absorb shock transferred from a road surface, and a steering system configured to support the drive motor and the suspension and to adjust a steering wheel of the wheel.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A corner module apparatus for a vehicle, comprising:
a knuckle coupled to a wheel bearing rotatably supporting a wheel; a drive motor, configured to generate a drive power, spaced a distance away from the wheel; a transfer shaft, disposed between the wheel and the drive motor, configured to transfer the drive power generated from the drive motor; a suspension connected to the knuckle and configured to absorb shock transferred from a road surface; and a steering system configured to support the drive motor and the suspension and to adjust a steering angle of the wheel, wherein the transfer shaft is disposed directly between the drive motor and the wheel bearing.

2 . The corner module apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the transfer shaft comprises:
a main shaft with one side of the main shaft facing the drive motor and an other side of the main shaft facing the wheel bearing; a first joint, installed angle-adjustable between the main shaft and the drive motor, configured to transfer the drive power generated from the drive motor to the main shaft; and a second joint, installed angle-adjustable between the main shaft and the wheel bearing, configured to transfer a rotational force of the main shaft to the wheel bearing.

3 . The corner module apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the first joint comprises:
a first outer member connected to the drive motor, a plurality of tracks being disposed on an inner circumferential surface of the first outer member; a first inner member connected to the main shaft and disposed angle-adjustable inside the first outer member; a plurality of journals extending toward the plurality of tracks, respectively, from the first inner member; and a plurality of rollers rotatably supported on the plurality of journals, respectively, and brought into contact with the plurality of tracks, respectively, in a rolling manner.

4 . The corner module apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the first outer member is coupled to the drive motor by spline connection, and the first inner member is coupled to the main shaft by spline connection.

5 . The corner module apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of tracks are spaced a distance apart along a circumferential distance of the first outer member.

6 . The corner module apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the first joint further comprises:
a first boot, both sides thereof being coupled to the main shaft and the first outer member, respectively, making the first outer member airtight.

7 . The corner module apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the first boot is expandable and contractable.

8 . The corner module apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the second joint comprises:
a second outer member connected to the wheel bearing, a plurality of first grooves being formed in an inner circumferential surface of the second outer member; a second inner member connected to the main shaft and disposed angle-adjustable inside the second outer member, a plurality of second grooves being formed in an outer circumferential surface of the second inner member; a cage disposed between the second outer member and the second inner member; and a plurality of balls rotatably supported on the cage, circumferences of both sides of each thereof being brought into contact with the first and second grooves, respectively, in a rolling manner.

9 . The corner module apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the second outer member is coupled to the wheel bearing by spline connection, and the second inner member is coupled to the main shaft by spline connection.

10 . The corner module apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of first grooves spaced a distance apart along a circumferential direction of the second outer member, and the plurality of second grooves spaced a distance apart along a circumferential direction of the second inner member.

11 . The corner module apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the second joint further comprises:
a second boot, both sides thereof being coupled to the main shaft and the second outer member, respectively, making the second outer member airtight.

12 . The corner module apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the second boot is expandable and contractable.

13 . The corner module apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the steering system comprises:
a steering body rotatably installed on a lower portion of a frame module and connected to the suspension; and a steering driver installed on the steering body and configured to generate the drive power to rotate the steering body about the frame module.

14 . The corner module apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the drive motor is coupled to an inside of the steering body, and supported by the steering body.

15 . The corner module apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the suspension comprises:
a suspension arm rotatably connected to the knuckle and the steering body and configured to support the wheel; and at least one shock absorber connected to the suspension arm and the steering body, provided expandable and contractable along a length direction thereof, and thus absorbing shock transferred from the wheel.

16 . The corner module apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the at least one shock absorber includes a pair of shock absorbers disposed on both sides, respectively, of the steering body.

17 . The corner module apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the suspension is rotatably connected to the knuckle.

18 . The corner module apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the first joint is installed angle-adjustable directly between the main shaft and the drive motor.

Assignees

• Hyundai Mobis Co Ltd

Inventors

• Lee Tae Heon

Classifications

• F16D3/845

  allowing relative movement of joint parts due to the flexing of the cover · CPC title

• F16D3/2055

  having three pins, i.e. true tripod joints · CPC title

• B60K2007/0061

  the motor axle being parallel to the wheel axle · CPC title

• B60K17/043

  Transmission unit disposed in on near the vehicle wheel, or between the differential gear unit and the wheel · CPC title

• B60G2204/129

  Damper mount on wheel suspension or knuckle · CPC title