GB2329165A - Electrically propelled vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

A wheel hub constructed as an electrical propulsion unit consisting of motor housing 7, with flange 14 on which to attach wheel 17. Flange 10 is provided to attach brake disc 11. The supporting shaft (1, fig 1) provides a cable duct (2, fig 1) and means to attach the motorised wheel hub within the vehicle suspension arrangement (8,9, fig 1). Electrical / electronic controls, via cabling 5 and connector 6 are used to enable speed, torque, direction, recharge and electrical braking to be selected and regulated. In addition control links to steering and braking mechanisms of the associated multiple motorised wheel vehicle are preferred, in order to automate / regulate both differential motorised wheel torque and braking values.

Description

ELECTRICALLY PROPELLED VEHICLE This invention relates to an electrically propelled vehicle.

Electrically propelled vehicles having self contained means of energy storage are not new and the limitations of the many designs are well known.

In the field of road transport, of both goods and persons, there is a greatly increased awareness of tlie necessity to develop and use this relatively clean' method of propulsion. This, in the main, being due to the pronounced adverse effects of the very large numbers of petrol / diesel fuelled vehicles of which we are constantly reminded.

The generally accepted limitations on the use of electrically propelled road vehicles can be briefly listed as . Battery requirements in relation to size, weight and cost.

relative range of vehicle before recharge or battery change.

. The necessary introduction of a network of battery exchange / recllarge stations.

. Initial outlay costs relative to vehicle purchase and related facilities.

. Design acceptability relative to safety, performance, and aesthetics / image, when used within the existing system of road transport.

This particular invention is devised to address some aspects of these limitations, in that it strives to maximise efficiency of operation of the vehicle within widely accepted norms of good practical engineering design.

Modern electronics have enabled development of d.c. motors for many applications. Electronics use in the control circuits necessary for efficient and practical operation of tlle electrically propelled vehicle together with its associated motor(s), are widely known and therefore it is thought only necessary to refer to links into the control circuits within this description.

This invention relates to the wheel(s) of the electrically propelled vehicle being designed / engineered as the propulsion means of the vehicle by introducing an electric motor within the hub constrnction to wliich a wheel is attached. This hub being so constructed to enable it to be fitted witliin known parameters of widely accepted means of construction of wheel, tyre, mechanical braking and suspension devices.

In order to achieve the most efficient means of motor / hub construction it is necessary to reverse the norms of motor design i.e. a static shaft with a revolving casing.The main advantages of this construction being : . Minimisation of friction losses due to no additional bearings required within hub.

. Direct drive i.e. able to function without gearing using known electronic circuitry.

Readily engineered into existing norms of vehicle wheel, braking and suspension.

Gives flexibility to selection of number of driven wheels.

. Minimises manufactunng requirements.

Optimises space utilisation.

It is envisaged that the design would employ the useful effects of generation botll to recharge battery and thereby extend range and to aid braking by introducing a control link into the mechanical braking operation. Generation being a known function of a d.c. machine.

A link into the vehicle propulsion control system circuits from the steering mechanism may be desirable with the elimination of the differential gearing associated with some multiple driven wheel vehicles.

An additional feature would be the inclusion of a sensor and targets, preferably fitted within each motor / hub, to facilitate speed indication together with the related control requirements. This feature would also give relative rotor to stator position signals necessary with some types of motor constnrction.

According to the present invention there is provided an integrated d.c.

motor within the hub construction of a vehicle wheel. This motor being designed such that the conventional motor construction is reversed and thereby having its conventional rotor fixed with its conventional stator rotating.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which : Figure 1 shows in cross section the hub / motor construction.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the arrangement for wheel and brake fittings onto the motor / hub.

With reference to the drawing the motor / hub comprises of the static shafl 1 having a cable duct 2 which passes through the seating area of the inboard bearing(s) 3 and seal(s) 4. This duct 2 enabling cabling 5 with connector 6 to pass into the motor housing 7.

The inboard end of this static shaft 1 is of taper 8 and threaded 9 constructions to enable fitting onto independent suspension unit of known proven design.

A flange l0 housing seal(s) 4 is supported by bearing(s) 3 fitted onto the static shaft 1. This flange 10 being constructed also to support motor housing 7 and brake disc 11 with mechanical fasteners 12 attaching this disc. A typical disc brake calliper 25 which would be mounted to the suspension unit is shown in Figure 2.

Outboard bearing(s) 13 support a further flange 14 which is constructed to support the outboard end of the motor housing 7 and the grease / dirt sealing cap 15.

This flange 14 is provided with means 16 to attach a known construction wheel 17 having tyre 18 as illustrated in Figure 2.

The outboard end of shalt 1 is constructed with means 19 of securing the motor hub assembly.

Built onto the shaft l is motor armature 20 which unconventionally remains static and provides magnetic field(s) via windings 21. An interacting magnetic field is provided by the windings 22 constructed within the rotating motor body.

Distribution and reversal of electrical supply, to or from a battery contained within the vehicle, is effected by means of radial commutator 23 and brush gear 24 in this particular construction. The design is readily adaptable to other constructions of electric motor.

Direct current motors are known to be reversible and therefor gearing for reverse operation of the vehicle is not a requirement.

Modern electronic components / circuitry, which are known, would be used to obtain the necessary control / operating systems. As stated previously it is envisaged that the known regenerative capability of the d.c.

motor would also be used in order to extend vehicle range and aid braking control. Electronic 'chopper' circuits for these applications are known using silicone controlled rectifiers and diodes.

Claims (6)

1. A wheel hub constructed as an electrical propulsion unit of a vehicle, with provision for its attachment within the parameters of any multiple wheeled vehicle's suspension, braking and tyre constructions, such that any desirable multiple, of this electrical propulsion unit, may be used with aforementioned multiple wheeled vehicle.

2. A wheel hub as claimed in claim 1 together with control means to enable electricity generation and recharge to supply means.

3. A wheel hub as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 together with means to detect relative rotor to stator positions, with associated input into related motorised wheel vehicle control and / or indication means.

4. A wheel hub as claimed in claim 3, together with an input from the steering mechanism of any associated multiple electrical propulsion unit (motorised) wheel vehicle, to enable and control the level of, differential wheel torque of that vehicle.

5. A wheel hub as claimed in any previous claim together with means to enable and control the level of electrical braking of any associated multiple motorised wheel vehicle.

6. A wheel hub substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.