Drive apparatus for vehicle
US7195087B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 5, 2004 |
| Grant date | Mar 27, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 25, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S903/906
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A drive apparatus basically comprises left and right drive units each including at least a reduction gear, an electric motor without a permanent magnet, and a brake disc. Each of the left and right drive units is housed substantially within a rim of each of rear wheels which are driven wheels. A 4WD control unit is configured to control a pair of inverters to separately drive the electric motors when a vehicle speed is in a range between a standing start speed and a prescribed vehicle speed, and to stop driving the electric motors when the vehicle speed is equal to or greater than the prescribed vehicle speed to place the rear wheels in a driven state. Accordingly, a friction loss due to a cogging torque encountered in a conventional permanent magnet-type motor is eliminated, and a lightweight drive apparatus is obtained. Fuel efficiently is accordingly improved.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.