Cover for an electric axle assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022161645-A1
Application number	US-202017103402-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 24, 2020
Priority date	Nov 24, 2020
Publication date	May 26, 2022
Grant date	—

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for an electric axle assembly. In one example, a system, includes a cover plate for a head assembly, wherein a cross-member is integrated into the cover plate and configured to attach to a vehicle frame.

First claim

1 . A system, comprising:
a cover plate for a head assembly, wherein a cross-member is integrated into the cover plate and configured to attach to a vehicle frame.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the head assembly is an electric axle carrier head assembly.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the cover plate comprises an opening through which a yoke shaft extends.

4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the yoke shaft couples to a drive axle.

5 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the cross-member extends in a direction normal to a central axis of the yoke shaft.

6 . An electric system, comprising:
an electric motor and an electric axle carrier, wherein a cover plate is physically coupled to a head assembly of the electric axle carrier; and a cross-member extending from the cover plate, wherein the cross-member is configured to couple to a vehicle frame.

7 . The electric system of claim 6 , wherein the cross-member comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion extend from the cover plate in a direction normal to a central axis of the electric axle carrier.

8 . The electric system of claim 7 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are identical in size and shape.

9 . The electric system of claim 7 , wherein the first portion comprises a first upper arm and a first lower arm, wherein the first upper arm is coupled to a first upper mating feature and the first lower arm is coupled to a first lower mating feature.

10 . The electric system of claim 9 , wherein the first upper mating feature comprises a first upper surface comprising a trapezoidal shape, wherein the first upper mating feature further comprises a first lower surface extending from the first upper surface in a direction normal to the first upper surface and the central axis of the electric axle carrier.

11 . The electric system of claim 10 , wherein the first lower mating feature comprises a second upper surface comprising the trapezoidal shape, wherein the first lower mating feature further comprises a second lower surface extending from the second upper surface in the direction normal to the second upper surface and the central axis of the electric axle carrier, wherein the second lower surface extends toward the first lower surface.

12 . The electric system of claim 11 , wherein a first gap is arranged between the first upper arm and the first lower arm, and wherein a second gap is arranged between the first lower surface and the second lower surface, wherein the first gap is larger than the second gap.

13 . The electric system of claim 11 , wherein the first lower surface and the second lower surface comprise through-holes, wherein each of the through-holes is configured to receive a fastener, wherein the fastener physically couples the first lower surface and the second lower surface to the vehicle frame.

14 . The electric system of claim 6 , wherein the cover plate is bolted to the head assembly.

15 . The electric system of claim 6 , wherein the cover plate comprises an opening for receiving a yoke output of the electric axle carrier.

16 . A system, comprising:
an electric axle system comprising an electric motor and a yoke shaft; an input helical gear set configured to receive an output from the electric motor and a hypoid gear set configured to receive a helical gear set output and provide an input to the yoke shaft; a cover plate physically coupled to a head assembly of the electric axle system, wherein the cover plate comprises a central opening configured to receive the yoke shaft and a yoke, and wherein the cover plate further comprises a plurality of openings spaced radially outward relative to the central opening, wherein fasteners extend through the plurality of openings and engage with the head assembly; and a cross-member extending from the cover plate and configured to attach to first and second frame rails of a vehicle, wherein the cross-member comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion extends toward the first frame rail and the second portion extends toward the second frame rail.

17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the first portion comprises a first mating feature and the second portion comprises a second mating feature, wherein the first mating feature is bolted to the first frame rail and the second mating feature is bolted to the second frame rail.

18 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the electric axle system is free of a ring gear, a differential case, differential bearings, and a pinion gear, and wherein the yoke shaft is connected to a drive axle.

19 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the cover plate seals the head assembly.

20 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the cross-member is integral to the cover plate.

Assignees

• Dana Heavy Vehicle Sys Group

Inventors

• Trost Harry W
• Slesinski Steven G

Classifications

• F16H57/031

  characterised by covers or lids for gearboxes · CPC title

• B60Y2200/91

  Electric vehicles · CPC title

• F16H57/037

  Gearboxes for accommodating differential gearings (rotating cases for differential gearings F16H48/40) · CPC title

• F16H2057/02052

  Axle units; Transfer casings for four wheel drive · CPC title

• B60B35/12 Primary

  Torque-transmitting axles (independent suspension aspects B60G) · CPC title