Patent ID: 7357203
Filing Date: 2008-04-15
Classification: B60K,B60L,B60W,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A self-contained axle module with independent suspension for a vehicle, with the vehicle including a support structure, a source for electrical power, a source of cooling medium, and a vehicle control device, the self-contained axle module comprising: a first side plate removably coupled to the support structure; a second side plate removably coupled to the support structure; a housing coupled to the first and second side plate; an output shaft projecting externally from opposite sides of the housing; an electric motor coupled to the housing and the source for electric power, and operable to rotate the output shaft; a motor drive controller unit coupled to the electric motor and to the vehicle control device to communicate signals to the vehicle control device such that one of the speed and torque of the electric motor is controlled based upon the signals; a first wheel end assembly coupled to the output shaft; a second wheel end assembly coupled to the output shaft; a first independent suspension assembly coupled to the first wheel end assembly and the first side plate to permit movement of the first wheel end assembly independent of the housing and the second wheel end assembly; a second independent suspension assembly coupled to the second wheel end assembly and the second side plate to permit movement of the second wheel end assembly independent of the housing and the first wheel end assembly; wherein, the first and second independent suspension assemblies and the first and second wheel end assemblies and the housing are removable from the support structure as a unit by removing the first and second side plates from the support structure.