US 12,403,763 B2
Coaxial drive unit
Kazuto Kenmotsu, Tochigi (JP)
Assigned to GKN Automotive Limited, Birmingham (GB)
Filed by GKN Automotive Limited, Birmingham (GB)
Filed on Nov. 22, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/956,446.
Application 18/956,446 is a continuation of application No. PCT/JP2022/028703, filed on Jul. 26, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2025/0083517 A1, Mar. 13, 2025
Int. Cl. B60K 7/00 (2006.01); B60K 1/00 (2006.01); B60K 17/02 (2006.01); B60K 17/16 (2006.01); F16H 48/34 (2012.01)
CPC B60K 17/165 (2013.01) [B60K 1/00 (2013.01); B60K 17/02 (2013.01); B60K 2001/001 (2013.01); B60K 2007/0092 (2013.01); F16H 48/34 (2013.01); F16H 2048/343 (2013.01)] 4 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A coaxial drive unit for driving paired axles rotatable about a first axis, comprising:
a motor coaxial with the first axis;
a differential coaxial with the first axis and rotatable about the first axis, the differential including a differential gear set configured to differentially output received torque to the paired axles;
an output shaft penetrating and driven by the motor to rotate about the first axis, the output shaft having a through-hole so dimensioned as to allow one of the paired axles to reach the differential from an exterior;
a transmission shaft rotatable about a second axis parallel with the first axis and in mesh with both the output shaft and the differential to transmit the torque from the motor to the differential;
a clutch disposed between the motor and the differential gear set to limit a differential motion of the differential gear set; and
an actuator disposed above the first axis and configured to drive the clutch.