Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

James Korsedal

John A Diemer

Patrick S Portell

Pete R Garcia

Konstantinos Triantos

Gary J Vaandrager

Richard K Marsh

Mohammed M Abuelroos

Robert J Krokosky

Presented are electric drive unit (EDU) assemblies with integrated power electronics, methods for making/operating such EDU assemblies, and motor vehicles equipped with such EDU assemblies. An EDU assembly includes an outer housing that mounts to a vehicle body. The EDU outer housing has internal motor and transmission chambers and an external cavity. A traction motor is mounted inside the motor chamber and drives one or more vehicle wheels to thereby propel the vehicle. A gear train is mounted inside the transmission chamber and drivingly connects the traction motor to the vehicle wheels. An integrated power electronics (IPE) unit, which is operable to control the traction motor, includes an IPE outer housing with a housing chassis mounted inside the external cavity, and a main housing mounted on the housing chassis to define therebetween a power electronics (PE) chamber. Multiple integrated circuit (IC) PE modules are mounted inside the PE chamber.

Electric drive units with integrated power electronics for vehicle powertrains

A bracket and nut assembly including a bracket having a first end and second end. The first end includes a first substantially planar portion spaced apart from and positioned substantially parallel to a second substantially planar portion. A third portion interconnects the first and second portions. A first aperture extends through the first portion and a second aperture extends through the second portion. The first and second apertures are axially aligned with one another. A nut includes a substantially cylindrical hollow body having flats, a first end and a second end. A flange radially extends from the first end. The flange is captured between the first portion and the second portion of the bracket such that the nut is operable to translate and rotate relative to the bracket.

Captured nut using a stamped retention feature

A retainer for positioning and retaining flanged nuts relative to a member for installation on studs of a larger assembly. The retainer includes a body and nut retaining tabs extending from the body. Each tab loosely carries a flanged nut. The member has a body with a plurality of openings spaced to be received on a plurality of threaded studs. The retainer and captured nuts are attached to the member to form a retainer assembly, which holds the member and nuts together until the member is installed on the studs of the larger assembly. The retainer assembly is positioned on a plurality of studs and the nuts are threaded onto the studs. The nut retainer is then removed from the member, leaving the member attached to the studs. The retainer may then be reused to install similar members.

Reusable retainer and assembly

Growing community of inventors

Holly, MI, United States of America

James Korsedal