US 12,110,952 B2
Electric axle with compact electric machine and gear train layout
Eric M. Engerman, Plymouth, MI (US); Andy Perakes, Canton, MI (US); and Rick C. Sigmon, Bowling Green, OH (US)
Assigned to DANA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC, Maumee, OH (US)
Filed by Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC, Maumee, OH (US)
Filed on Apr. 21, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/304,901.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/363,366, filed on Apr. 21, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0341034 A1, Oct. 26, 2023
Int. Cl. B60K 6/36 (2007.10); B60K 1/00 (2006.01); B60K 17/04 (2006.01); B60K 17/16 (2006.01); F16H 37/08 (2006.01); F16H 48/34 (2012.01); F16H 57/037 (2012.01); F16H 57/04 (2010.01); F16H 57/02 (2012.01)
CPC F16H 37/0813 (2013.01) [B60K 1/00 (2013.01); B60K 17/043 (2013.01); B60K 17/165 (2013.01); F16H 48/34 (2013.01); F16H 57/037 (2013.01); F16H 57/045 (2013.01); B60K 2001/001 (2013.01); B60K 6/36 (2013.01); B60Y 2200/92 (2013.01); F16H 2057/0203 (2013.01); F16H 2057/02034 (2013.01); F16H 2057/02052 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An electric axle assembly comprising:
an electric machine rotationally coupled to a layshaft via a first gear reduction;
a differential rotationally coupled to the layshaft via a second gear reduction;
a first axle shaft and a second axle shaft directly rotationally coupled to the differential; and
a support structure at least partially enclosing the electric machine and the differential, wherein the support structure includes vertically extending protrusions that are profiled to mate with an engine cradle;
wherein the electric machine is positioned laterally between at least two drive wheels that are rotationally coupled to the first axle shaft and the second axle shaft;
wherein a rotational axis of the electric machine is axially offset from rotational axes of the at least two drive wheels; and
wherein rotational axes of the at least two drive wheels are offset from rotational axes of the first and second axle shafts.