Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems Limited

Rockwell Heavy Vehicle Systems, Inc.

Malcolm F Ruppert

William Carl Sullivan

Lawrence Doyle Brill

Glen E Swanson

Silvio Masaaki Yamada

Dean M House

Bradley A Arnold

An automotive vehicle drive unit assembly which is located near the sides of a vehicle includes a first driving axle shaft, a second driving axle shaft, a first gear box, a second gear box, a first electric motor, and a second electric motor. The first driving axle shaft drives a first wheel hub of the vehicle and the second driving axle shaft drives a second wheel hub. Together the first and second driving axle shafts define an axis of rotation about which the first and second wheel hubs rotate. The first gear set drives the first wheel and the second gear set drives the second wheel. A first electric motor is mounted in an angular relationship relative to the axis of rotation and drives the first gear set. A second electric motor is mounted in an angular relationship relative to the axis of rotation and drives the second gear set. A plurality of electric motors can be used to drive each wheel hub.

Low floor drive unit assembly for an electrically driven vehicle

An automotive vehicle suspension unit assembly located near the sides of a vehicle includes a driving axle shaft, a gear box, an electric motor, and a suspension beam. The driving axle shaft, which drives a wheel hub of the vehicle, defines an axis of rotation about which the wheel hub rotates. The gear box includes a pinion shaft connected to a pinion gear which meshes with a ring gear. The pinion shaft is driven by a motor drive shaft which extends outwardly from the electric motor. The motor generates the torque necessary to drive the driving axle shaft. As known, suspension beams extend transversely to the axis of rotation of the driving axle shaft. The electric motor is pivotally attached to the gear box by means of a flexible coupling and is pivotally attached to the suspension beam by means of a movable connection. The flexible coupling allows the electric motor to pivot relative to the gear box and the movable connection allows the electric motor to pivot relative to the suspension beam as the suspension beam receives road load input.

Suspension drive unit assembly for an electrically driven vehicle

An improved mount for an electric motor and drive gear includes mounting both of the motor and drive gear within a gear housing for a vehicle wheel. The motor is mounted on one side of the drive axis of the wheel, and the drive gear is mounted in bearings on an opposed side of the drive axis. In this way, the overall longitudinal distance required for mounting both the motor and the drive gear is reduced when compared to the envelope of the vehicle wheel.

Space saving mounting for electrically driven vehicle wheels

An improved differential case is provided that resists rotation between the two differential case halves. Spline teeth extend from each of the mating faces of the two differential case halves into grooves in the other. The spline teeth and grooves prevent relative rotation. A method of making the differential case halves is also disclosed.

Anti-rotation spline teeth for differential case

A seal is provided on a slinger for a pinion shaft in an axle housing. The seal provides sealing contact at a location between the bearing cage and the slinger. The slinger prevents relatively large dirt, stones, and debris particles from reaching an inner oil seal. The seal on the slinger prevents smaller particles from reaching the oil seal. Several embodiments of the seal are disclosed.

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Hebron, OH, United States of America

Malcolm F Ruppert