Motor vehicles – Power – Electric
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-22
2001-07-17
Mar, Michael (Department: 3619)
Motor vehicles
Power
Electric
C180S065510, C180S068500, C322S003000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260645
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a motor vehicle without an axle, and, more particularly to a propulsion system, a suspension system, and an energy storage system for an electric vehicle having an axleless suspension system.
2. Discussion
The great majority of vehicles today are designed to include a centralized source of propulsion and a transmission to transfer the output from the centralized source of propulsion to the drive wheels in order to propel the vehicle. While this design has proved suitable for several years, it raises several considerations which must be addressed in every vehicle. In particular, the transmission system for transferring mechanical output from the centralized source of propulsion to the individual drive wheels typically includes gear boxes, drive shafts, axles, and sometimes transfer cases. All these components add considerable weight to the vehicle, as each are typically fairly sturdily built. Further, routing these components from the centralized power source to the particular drive wheels requires considerable design effort. Interior vehicle space must often be sacrificed in order to properly route these components. Further, longitudinal frame rails of a chassis, particularly in a truck, often must be diverted from a preferred linear arrangement to accommodate these components.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide various design improvements to a vehicle in order to substantially reduce the above-discussed design compromises.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed to a propulsion system for driving a wheel of a vehicle without an axle. The propulsion system includes a suspension member suspended from a support member of the vehicle and an electric motor mounted to the suspension member. The electric motor has a housing. An output member has an inboard and an outboard end, and the inboard end is connected to the electric motor to drive the output member. A wheel hub connects to the outboard end of the output member, and an annular brake ring is mounted to the hub. A brake mechanism mounts to the housing for applying braking force to the annular brake ring to resist displacement of the annular brake ring and attached hub.
This invention is also directed to a suspension system for a vehicle. The suspension system includes a drive mechanism. A suspension bracket has a pivot ring and a drive housing, and the drive housing receives the drive mechanism which applies displacing force to a drive wheel. A suspension mount mounts the suspension bracket to the vehicle via the pivot ring, and the suspension mount includes a load bearing surface operatively connected to the pivot ring. A bearing ring is interposed between the load bearing surface and the pivot ring, and the bearing ring reduces friction between the load bearing surface and the pivot ring, wherein the bearing ring, the load bearing surface, and the pivot ring are formed in a generally hollow cylinder to disperse the load across a large surface area.
This invention is also directed to a second suspension system for a vehicle. The suspension system includes a suspension bracket mounted to the vehicle to enable relative rotation between the suspension bracket and the vehicle. A drive housing is coupled to the suspension bracket and receives a drive mechanism that applies displacing force to a drive wheel. A pivot shaft connects to the suspension bracket and mounts to the vehicle to enable pivotal movement of the suspension bracket about the pivot shaft, wherein the pivot shaft is mounted generally transversely to the vehicle. A return spring is coupled to the vehicle and the suspension bracket for providing a force to displace the suspension bracket in a first direction relative to the vehicle.
This invention is also directed to a vehicle including a vehicle frame formed of vertically opposed transverse members and horizontally opposed longitudinal members with respect to the vehicle. A tray is disposed between the longitudinal and transverse members. A friction reducing device is formed in the longitudinal members for supporting the tray between the longitudinal members, wherein tray may be displaced longitudinally over the friction reducing device to facilitate access to the tray, and wherein the longitudinal members are arranged so as to not obstruct displacement of the tray.
This invention is also directed to an electric vehicle including a frame for supporting the vehicle and formed of a plurality of members which are interconnected. A battery tray supports a bank of batteries for providing electrical energy for operating the electric vehicle. A plurality of temperature control fluid lines are disposed in proximity to the battery tray for controlling the temperature of the bank of batteries. A thermal management system is located remotely from the bank of batteries for supplying fluid at a predetermined temperature to the temperature control fluid lines and receiving fluid from the temperature control fluid lines. Fluid transfer lines exchange fluid between the temperature control fluid lines and the thermal management system. The fluid transfer lines are routed between the temperature control fluid lines and the thermal management system through at least one of the members.
These and other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description, claims and drawings.
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Precision Magnetic Bearing Systems Inc., “PREMAG Announces Compact Pancake Motors for Hybrid Electric Vehicles,” May 4, 1998.
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Newgeon Walter W.
Pawlowski James F.
Spezia Gerald P.
Calcaterra Mark P.
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Mar Michael
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