US 12,292,102 B1
Locking differentials in rotor shafts
Matthew James Laskaska, Essexville, MI (US); James M Hart, Belleville, MI (US); Chi Teck Lee, Novi, MI (US); Dumitru Puiu, Sterling Heights, MI (US); and Brenten Paul Corliss, Royal Oak, MI (US)
Assigned to GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed by GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed on May 28, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/675,849.
Int. Cl. H02K 7/116 (2006.01); B60K 17/16 (2006.01); B60K 23/04 (2006.01); F16H 48/08 (2006.01); F16H 48/22 (2006.01); F16H 48/30 (2012.01); F16H 48/20 (2012.01); F16H 48/36 (2012.01)
CPC F16H 48/08 (2013.01) [B60K 17/16 (2013.01); F16H 48/22 (2013.01); F16H 48/30 (2013.01); H02K 7/116 (2013.01); F16H 2048/082 (2013.01); F16H 2048/204 (2013.01); F16H 2048/364 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An electric vehicle comprising:
an electric motor including a stator and a rotor, wherein the rotor is configured to rotate about a rotor axis;
a rotor shaft connected to the rotor for rotation about the rotor axis;
a differential located within the rotor shaft;
a first input shaft connected to first side of the differential;
a second input shaft connected to second side of the differential;
a locking system comprising a clutch plate mechanism configured to selectively lock rotation of the first input shaft to rotation of the rotor shaft, wherein the clutch plate mechanism is located between a first thrust bearing and a second thrust bearing;
a control system configured to determine when to lock rotation of the first input shaft to rotation of the rotor shaft;
an actuation system configured to operate the locking system to lock rotation of the first input shaft to rotation of the rotor shaft; and
a carrier, wherein:
the rotor shaft is rotatably mounted to the carrier to rotate about the rotor axis independent of the carrier;
the actuation system is mounted to the carrier;
a first end of the clutch plate mechanism is mounted to the actuation system; and
a second end of the clutch plate mechanism is mounted to the carrier, such that forces exerted on the clutch plate mechanism by the actuation system are canceled within the carrier.