Schaeffler Technologies Ag & Co .kg

Philipp Storner

Thorsten Biermann

Robert Schieck

Thorsten Meyerhöfer

Drive units for a vehicle having an electric machine and a transmission device are disclosed, as well as methods for assembling the drive units. The method may include mounting the transmission device in a transmission housing; passing an assembly mandrel axially through an aperture in the transmission housing and through a pinion shaft, which is designed as a hollow shaft and is rotatably mounted in the transmission housing; and centering a rotor shaft, which is designed at least partially as a hollow shaft, on the assembly mandrel. A rotor of the electric machine may be pushed axially onto the rotor shaft; the rotor shaft may be inserted axially into the pinion shaft, wherein a set of splines on the rotor shaft engages in a set of splines on the pinion shaft; a stator of the electric machine may be pushed axially onto the rotor of the electric machine and fixing the stator on the transmission housing; and the assembly mandrel may be removed and the aperture in the transmission housing may be closed with a closure cover.

Method for assembling a drive unit

A drive unit includes a housing having first and second chambers. An electromotive drive is disposed in the first chamber and including a hollow rotor shaft. A transmission is disposed in the second chamber and includes an output shaft extending through the rotor shaft such that a gap is formed. The transmission further includes a gearing arrangement that operably couples the output shaft to the rotor shaft and reduces a speed ratio between the rotor shaft and the output shaft so that the output shaft rotates slower than the rotor shaft when operating. The gearing arrangement includes a first element fixed to the rotor shaft and a second element that rotates slower than the first element when operating. An annular clearance is defined between the first and second elements. An annular seal has a first portion engaging with the first element and a second portion engaging with the second element.

Growing community of inventors

Möhrendorf, Germany

Philipp Storner