Patent ID: 8449424
Filing Date: 2013-05-28
Classification: B60K

Abstract:
1. A steerable wheel motor assembly for moving construction lifts and scaffold equipment, comprising: a spindle bracket configured to be pivotably mounted at an upper end to the equipment for rotation about a vertical axis, said spindle bracket includes a lower end portion, said lower end portion includes an interior portion and a shaft opening in said interior portion; an electric motor mounted to said lower end portion of said spindle bracket, said motor having an output shaft that rotates about an output shaft axis of rotation when electrical power is supplied to said motor, said output shaft of said motor positioned through said shaft opening in said interior portion of said lower end portion of said spindle bracket; said output shaft being supported by a first set of bearings and a second set of bearings, said first set of bearings residing within said electric motor and said second set of bearings residing between said spindle bracket and said output shaft; said second set of bearings includes a speed and direction sensor integral therewith for detecting the speed and direction of rotation of said output shaft; said second set of bearings includes an inner race and an outer race; said inner race being affixed to said output shaft and rotatable therewith and said outer race being stationary; a magnetized impulse ring affixed to said inner race and rotatable therewith; a sensor body affixed to said outer race which detects the magnetic impulses provided when said inner impulse ring and said shaft are rotating; a substantially cylindrical wheel hub mounted to said spindle bracket for rotation about said output shaft axis of rotation; said wheel hub includes an exterior surface to which a wheel can be mounted, an interior surface surrounding said interior portion of said lower end of said spindle bracket, an interior edge between said exterior and interior surfaces, and, an exterior edge between said exterior and interior surfaces; said hub supported for rotation by a third set of bearings positioned adjacent said interior edge of said hub, and a fourth set of bearings positioned inwardly from said exterior edge of said hub; a multi-stage planetary gear system mounted around said output shaft of said motor and positioned within said interior portion of said spindle bracket and within said cylindrical wheel hub between said exterior edge and said interior edge; said planetary gear system includes an input sun gear positioned between said fourth set of bearings and said exterior edge of said hub and mounted on said output shaft of said motor; said input sun gear includes a proximate portion and a distal portion; said planetary gear system further includes input planetary gears, a first ring gear affixed to said interior portion of said wheel hub, an input gear carrier including a splined interior, and, an output sun gear including a splined exterior; said output sun gear includes a proximate portion and a distal portion; a thrust washer resides between said spindle bracket and said proximate end of said output sun gear; said proximate portion of said output sun gear interengages said thrust washer and said distal portion of said output sun gear interengages said proximate portion of said input sun gear; an end cover affixed to said wheel hub; said end cover of said wheel hub includes a centrally located cylindrical recess therein; a circumferential spacer ring and a circumferential bracket reside in said cylindrical recess in said cover; said distal portion of said input sun gear interengages said circumferential bracket in said cylindrical recess in said cover; said input sun gear rotationally drives said input planetary gears which are in engagement with and react against said first ring gear producing rotation of said input gear carrier; said splined interior of said input gear carrier interengages said splined exterior of said output sun gear; said planetary gear system further includes output planetary gears driven by said splined exterior of said output sun gear; an output ring gear positioned between said third set of bearings and said fourth set of bearings and joined to said interior surface of said wheel hub; and, said output ring gear engaging said output planetary gears of said multistage planetary gear system so that rotation of said output planetary gears causes said output planetary gears and said wheel hub to rotate such that mechanical force through said planetary gear system is applied to said wheel hub.