Patent ID: 10882389

Abstract:
An axle assembly (200) includes a first axle housing (102), a second axle housing (104), a first wheel end (216), a second wheel end (218), and at least one drive shaft (150) extending through the first axle housing (102) and the second axle housing (104) and coupled to the first and second wheel ends (216, 218). The axle assembly (200) also includes a gearbox (210) having a body (240) with first and second portions (242, 244) defining a cavity (246) with the first axle housing (102) coupled to the first portion (242) and the second axle housing (104) coupled to the second portion (244). The axle housing (200) further includes an electric motor (122) coupled to the first portion (242) of the body (240). The gearbox (210) includes a gear train (153) having an input shaft (160) having one end coupled to the electric motor (122) and an output shaft (172) rotatably coupled to the input shaft (160). The gear train (153) further includes a clutch (174) having a shifting fork (178) movable between an engaged state and a disengaged state to couple the output shaft (172) to the drive shaft (150) such that the electric motor (122) drives the drive shaft (150) and to uncouple the output shaft (172) from the drive shaft (150) such that the drive shaft (150) is able to rotate independently from the electric motor (122).