Patent ID: 7476172

Claim:
A drive apparatus for use in a vehicle having a frame and at least one driven wheel, the drive apparatus comprising: a reduction gear assembly having a reduction gear mechanism disposed therein; a motor assembly engaged to the reduction gear assembly, the motor assembly comprising a motor shaft for providing a driving force to drive the reduction gear assembly; an output shaft extending from the reduction gear assembly and operatively connected to the driven wheel; a brake rotor driven by the motor shaft; a brake puck operatively engageable with the brake rotor for moving the brake rotor toward a braking surface; and a brake cam shaft rotatably supported about an axis that is perpendicular to the axis of the output shaft, the brake cam shaft comprising an engagement portion engaging with the brake puck, the engagement portion having a non-circular portion for interfacing with the brake puck, whereby rotation of the brake cam shaft about its axis forces the brake puck to move the brake rotor toward the braking surface.