Electrical generator or motor structure – Dynamoelectric – Rotary
Patent
1997-07-16
1999-07-06
Dougherty, Thomas M.
Electrical generator or motor structure
Dynamoelectric
Rotary
310 75C, 310 75R, 310 93, 180 656, 180 655, 180 657, 188171, H02K 700, B60K 100, F16D 6554
Patent
active
059201363
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a drive device for an electrically operated vehicle, in particular for a wheelchair, having at least one rim with rim well and an axle shaft.
There are very many forms and designs of electrically operated vehicles. These include, for example, electric automobiles, vehicles in the internal area of train stations and industrial buildings, children's vehicles and in particular also wheelchairs. In most cases here the drive wheels are connected via an axle shaft to a transmission, for which reason the power consumption of such drives is significantly increased.
In recent time a change has been made to integrating the drive and in particular the motor into the wheel itself, so-called wheel-hub drives or drum motors being known here. These include electronically commutated wheel-hub motors. However, these wheel-hub motors are likewise connected to the drive shaft via a transmission, so that considerable energy is still lost.
The present invention is based on the object of providing a drive device of the above-mentioned type with which the vehicle can be operated in as low-power and low-noise a manner as possible and has the lowest possible constructional width. Furthermore, the braking function is to be significantly improved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to achieve this object, an annular channel is formed between the rim and the axle shaft, and a motor and a brake are integrated in said annular channel.
The significant advantage of this drive device according to the invention resides in the fact that the constructional width of the overall drive is reduced to a minimum. The entire drive, and the braking system as well, is arranged inside the rim itself. A chassis of a vehicle or, for example, the chair of a wheelchair, is then connected to the static part of this drive device in any desired manner.
The motor and the brake are preferably separated from each other by an inner housing ring. This inner housing ring is a part of the static part and presents itself for the connection to the chair or the chassis of the vehicle. Furthermore, the stator part of the motor is likewise to be rotationally firmly connected to this inner housing ring. The rotor part, on the other hand, is arranged on the rim itself, around the stator part. Toward the stator part, the rotor part is equipped with corresponding magnetic strips, which form an air gap toward the stator part. In this way, the rotor part rotates around the stator part.
Permanent magnetic strips, which ensure a high power transfer, are preferably used.
As a result of the arrangement selected, it is possible to support the inner housing against the axle shaft via two bearings, these bearings being spaced relatively far apart from each other in one exemplary embodiment. This achieves a maximum bearing spacing for the corresponding wheel with, at the same time, the minimum constructional width of the overall drive. Furthermore, it is possible to use bearing designs which can readily be adjusted without play. Rolling bearings (shouldered radial-thrust bearings), which ensure the greatest possible quietness of running, are the most obvious.
A significant feature of the present invention is, however, directed to the braking system. For wheelchairs in particular it is necessary that if the electrical system fails, there must be a stopping brake which brakes the wheelchair as quickly as possible. According to the present invention, this stopping brake is likewise integrated in the annular channel of the rim, so that no additional space has to be occupied.
A brake space is formed by the inner housing ring together with a ring made of a ferritic material, at least one brake disk projecting into said brake space. Preferably, however, a plurality of brake disks is used. These brake disks are seated along an axis of the axle shaft itself, but they can be displaced axially with respect to the axle shaft. This is ensured by a splined connection between brake disk and axle shaft, the brake disk preferably being produced
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Dougherty Thomas M.
Nguyen Tran N
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