US 12,077,051 B2
Electric vehicle with solid axle and hub motors
Gregory Kucab, Ypsilanti, MI (US)
Assigned to Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed by FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed on Aug. 5, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/394,606.
Prior Publication US 2023/0042713 A1, Feb. 9, 2023
Int. Cl. B60K 7/00 (2006.01); B60B 35/16 (2006.01); B60K 1/02 (2006.01); B60K 1/04 (2019.01); B60K 17/02 (2006.01)
CPC B60K 7/0007 (2013.01) [B60B 35/16 (2013.01); B60K 1/02 (2013.01); B60K 1/04 (2013.01); B60K 17/02 (2013.01); B60K 2007/0038 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An electrified vehicle axle comprising:
first and second wheel assemblies each including an electric machine, a wheel powered by the electric machine, and a clutch;
a beam interconnecting the first and second wheel assemblies; and
an axle shaft supported for rotation within a hollow center of the beam, the axle shaft having a first end connected to the clutch of the first wheel assembly and a second end connected to the clutch of the second wheel assembly, wherein the clutches are configured to selectively couple the electric machines to each other.