Patent ID: 6651762
Filing Date: 2003-11-25
Classification: B60B,B60G,B60K

Abstract:
An electric motor powered wheel arrangement having increased power capacity, comprising:a wheel frame having an inboard end, and an outboard end, the wheel frame being adapted to attach at its inboard end to a body of a vehicle; a wheel hub rotatably mounted on the wheel frame so as to rotatably support the wheel hub directly on the wheel frame; an electric motor having a central shaft for driving the wheel hub, the motor being mounted to the wheel frame at a position entirely inboard of the wheel hub, the motor having a housing receiving a motor stator and rotor, the housing of the electric motor being ventilated for flow of cooling air through the housing past the stator and rotor; a transmission secured to the wheel frame and operatively connected to the wheel hub; and a drive shaft connected between the motor shaft and the transmission, that delivers power from the motor to the transmission; wherein the stator coil and rotor coil of the electric motor are positioned substantially inboard of the inboard end of the wheel frame; and wherein the electric motor has a stator coil with an outer diameter that is at least as large as the innermost diameter of the wheel hub.