US 11,705,786 B1
Power and control assembly for an electric drive apparatus
Nathan W. Bonny, Shelbyville, IL (US); Ryan S. Buescher, Neoga, IL (US); and Henry J. Hansen, Zionsville, IN (US)
Assigned to Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership, Sullivan, IL (US)
Filed by Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership, Sullivan, IL (US)
Filed on Nov. 25, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/694,413.
Application 16/694,413 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/518,025, filed on Jul. 22, 2019, granted, now 11,166,410, issued on Nov. 9, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/702,086, filed on Jul. 23, 2018.
Int. Cl. H02K 11/00 (2016.01); H02K 7/11 (2006.01); H02K 5/18 (2006.01); H02K 11/33 (2016.01); F02N 15/04 (2006.01); B60T 13/74 (2006.01); G01R 33/07 (2006.01); H02K 5/04 (2006.01); H02K 5/16 (2006.01); H02K 5/22 (2006.01)
CPC H02K 11/33 (2016.01) [B60T 13/746 (2013.01); F02N 15/046 (2013.01); G01R 33/072 (2013.01); H02K 5/04 (2013.01); H02K 5/16 (2013.01); H02K 5/18 (2013.01); H02K 5/22 (2013.01)] 26 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A drive assembly, comprising:
a housing assembly comprising a center housing having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, a motor housing secured to the first side of the center housing, and an axle housing secured to the second side of the center housing;
an electrical access chamber and a conductor chamber formed on the first side of the center housing and connected to each other by a conductor passage to accommodate a power and control assembly, the power and control assembly comprising:
a power board;
a control board oriented perpendicular to and electrically connected to the power board;
a plurality of field effect transistors mounted on the power board;
a thermal pad positioned between and contacting the plurality of field effect transistors and the center housing; and
a compression assembly configured to apply pressure to the plurality of field effect transistors by compressing the plurality of field effect transistors against the thermal pad;
an electric motor disposed in the motor housing and electrically coupled to the power and control assembly, the electric motor driving a motor output shaft having a first axis of rotation;
a pinion gear disposed in the center housing and engaged to and driven by the motor output shaft; and
a planetary gear reduction assembly disposed within a portion of the axle housing and a portion of the center housing and driven by the pinion gear, the planetary gear reduction assembly including a carrier assembly and an output axle that is driven by the carrier assembly, the output axle having a second axis of rotation that is offset from and parallel to the first axis of rotation.