MXPA00009868A - - Google Patents

Description

MOTORIZED WHEEL CUBE ASSEMBLY. MODULAR. ELECTRIC. FOR BIKES AND SIMILARS This invention relates to a motorized cube wheel hub, modular, for bicycles, skateboards, golf carts and other vehicles on and off roads. More particularly, it relates to an electric and modular wheel / motor hub assembly that develops sufficient torque for power delivery to a variety of vehicles.

ANTECEDENTS OF THE. INVENTION Numerous vehicles are currently used that have electric motors energized by batteries to drive the wheels of the vehicle. They include bicycles, tricycles for adults, wheelchairs, motor scooters, golf carts, all land vehicles, etc. In many of these vehicles, the engine is mounted to the vehicle frame with the engine output being coupled to the wheels by means of a chain drive, gear train or the like. There are also in the prior art, several bicycles having an electric motor connected directly to a wheel hub and arranged to rotate that hub. In some cases, the engine mounts to the outside of the wheel hub and takes up considerable space; see, for example, the patent 5,622,187. These are non-modular I sets. In other cases, the engine takes the place of the usual wheel hub and rotates the metal wheel rim; see, for example, patents 552,271, 5,272,938, 5,341,892 and 5,581,136. Such engines are also relatively large, occupying a large percentage of the area within the associated metal rim of the wheel. There are a few examples of bicycle-type vehicles, whose engine is located completely inside the hub of the wheel; see patents 572,036, 2,514,460 and 3,921,741. According to them, in some cases, the tub assembly is excessively wide, so that it can not be mounted to the fork of a conventional bicycle frame. In other cases, the set consists of a multiplicity of separate pieces, which are difficult to manufacture and are not assembled as a unit. However, the most serious disadvantage of the above motorized hub assemblies of this general type is that they tend to overheat when used for a prolonged period as the sole source of energy for the bicycle or other vehicle. In other words, while those previous assemblies can operate satisfactorily as an auxiliary energy device, when used alone to drive the vehicle, they either consume too much energy and deplete the associated battery after only a relatively short time or do not develop enough torque to make it possible for the vehicle to travel at a sufficient speed, particularly uphill.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a modular, motorized wheel hub assembly for bicycles and other vehicles. Another object of the invention is to provide a modular, motorized hub assembly of this type, which is comparable in length and diameter to a conventional, non-motorized wheel hub. A further object of the invention is to provide a modular assembly, which is composed of a minimum number of separate pieces, which can be assembled as a unit, without requiring special tools or other equipment. Another object of the invention is to provide a modular, motorized hub assembly, which supplies a high torque output in a compact package and allows the use of a high speed motor, to minimize the size and weight of the package.

A further object of the invention is to provide a motorized wheel hub assembly, which does not become overheated with use. A further object of the invention is to provide a modular, motorized wheel hub assembly having extremely wide band efficiencies over a wide range of speeds. Another object of the invention is to provide such a set, which can also function as an engine generator to recharge the DC power source of the assembly and provide a controllable electric brake of the vehicle. A further object of this invention is to provide a controllable electric cube assembly of this type, having an absolute minimum number of electrical conductors, which have to be carried to the external connectors, to allow all of them to pass through a central shaft small of the whole. Other objects, in part, will be obvious and, in part, will be evident later. Accordingly, the invention comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplified in the following detailed description, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

In general, this assembly comprises a DC electric motor, modular, incorporated in a wheel hub, which has stationary collinear trees, which project from the opposite ends of the hub. The motor stator is mounted inside a stationary engine cover or hull, inside the hub, which is connected to one of the trees. The planetary gears, which comprise a gear reducer, are rotatably mounted to the cover, these gears are coupled with a ring gear, formed on the inner wall of the hub. These planetary gears are rotated by a sun gear, or pinion, of small diameter, which rotates with a motor rotor, placed inside the stator. The electrical connections to the stator are made through one of the trees, by which the energy can be provided to the stator, causing the rotor to rotate. This rotor rotates the pinion, which rotates the planetary gears, causing the hub to rotate relative to the trees, which are fixed during use. A cogwheel, with a one-way clutch, can be incorporated into the hub assembly, so if the engine turns the hub faster than the cogwheel (like a power-assisted bicycle), this cogwheel will be a freewheel . In addition, if the associated wheel is braked or raised from the ground and rotated manually, the motor can function as a generator to recharge the batteries that energize the motor. The hub is sealed from the atmosphere and internal lubrication channels are supplied to circulate a fluid, which transfers heat from the motor in the stator housing and the gear reducer to the hub, where it is conducted to the outside, thus allowing the motor Operate with a high torque output for a prolonged period, without overheating. The engine is basically high performance, a variable speed motor, brushless, sensorless, internally cooled, three phase, computer balanced, with extremely broad band efficiencies approaching 95%, with 90% descending performance towards and below 20% of the maximum speed. This high performance motor is in conjunction with a very efficient, unusually small planetary gear reducer, which results in an unusually compact, motorized hub assembly for a vehicle. As will be seen later, the modular set consists of a minimum number of pieces, which are relatively easy to manufacture and put together as a unit. Therefore, the assembly must be economical to manufacture in large quantities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a more complete understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view of a bicycle, which incorporates motorized hub assemblies, according to the invention, in the front and rear wheels thereof; Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the hub assembly on the front wheel of the bicycle of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an elevation view, with separate parts, showing the components of the gear reducer in the assembly of Figure 2, in greater detail; Figure 4 is a plan view, taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a plan view, taken along line 5-5 of Figure 3; Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of another embodiment of the motorized hub assembly, which propels the rear wheel of the bicycle of Figure 1; Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 2, of yet another embodiment of the motorized hub assembly, embodying the invention; Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view, showing an automobile wheel having a hub assembly embodying the invention; Figure 9 is a sectional view, similar to Figure 7, of yet another embodiment of the hub assembly; and Figure 9A is a fragmentary sectional view, on a larger scale, illustrating the assembly of Figure 9, with a two-stage gear reducer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN ILLUSTRATIVE MODE Referring now to Figure 1, which shows a bicycle, which includes a frame 10, more or less standard, with extension bars, upper and lower, 12 and 14, a top post 16, mounted to the front ends of the extension bars, a front fork 18, rotatably mounted to the upper post 16, this front fork is rotated by hand bars 22. A front wheel 24 is rotatably mounted between the teeth of the front fork 18, the wheel includes a metallic rim 24a, connected by radial spokes 24b to a motorized hub assembly 26, incorporating the invention and mounted to the lower end of the front fork 18.

The extension bars, top and bottom, 12 and 14, extend back to a seat post 28, with the lower end of the seat post and the lower extension bar that attaches to the gear wheels 32, which supports rotatably a pedal gear 34. Extending rearwardly from the sprocket tube is a rear fork 36, which, together with a bifurcated rear clamp 38, rotatably supports a rear wheel 42. This wheel 42 includes a metal rim 42a and the radial guides 42b, which extend to a hub assembly 44, according to the invention, and mounted to the rear end of the rear fork 36. On the bicycle illustrated in Figure 2, the hub assembly 44 includes a rear gear 46, which is connected by a chain 48 to the pedal gear 34. The battery pack / control unit 52 is supported on a rack 53, which extends rearwardly from the seat post 28, on the rear wheel 42, with the rack secured by a pair of struts 53a, which extend down to the Rear axle of the bicycle. The unit 52 is connected by cords 53 of three wires, one in each of the hub assemblies 26 and / or 44 and one to a combination of the regenerative brake control 54 of the electronic accelerator, incorporated in the manual bars 22. When it is when activated, the control 54 causes the control unit 52 to operate the hub assembly 44 in a regenerative braking mode, so that movement in front of the bicycle can be slowed down or stopped. A conventional manually operated gauge brake (not shown) may be associated with the metal rim 24a of the front wheel. Thus, the bicycle of Figure 1 can be energized by pedaling the cyclist on the crank 34 and / or by the motorized front wheel hub assembly 26 and / or by the motorized rear wheel hub assembly 44. Also, by Of course, any of the front hub assembly 26 or the rear hub assembly 44 can be replaced by conventional front or rear wheel hubs. Referring now to Figure 2, which shows the front wheel hub assembly 26 in greater detail. This assembly comprises an 8-pole, brushless, modular, direct current electric motor, modular, shown generally at 62, which drives a single-stage planetary gear reducer, generally indicated at 64, to rotate an outer hub 66 in relation to a pair of colinear short shafts, 68 and 72, which, during use, are fixed to the lower end of the front fork 18 of the bicycle (Figure 1). The hub 66 is connected by spokes 24b to the metal wheel rim 24a, so that when the motor 62 is energized by the battery pack / control unit 52 (Figure 1), the rotor rotates the wheel 24. The motor 62 it comprises a stator cover 74, of the cup type, having a cylindrical side wall 74a and an end wall 74b, generally discoid. The shaft 68 extends axially away from the center of the end wall 74b. The cover 74 of the stator contains a lamination stack 76 and a winding 78 connected in WYE, 3-phase, 3-wire, toroidal. The three wires of the winding, 78a, 78b and 78c, are carried out of the cover 74 through a passage 82 in the end wall 74b of the cover and the shaft 68, those wires extend to a connector 84 of 3 poles , incorporated within the outer end of the shaft 68. To facilitate the conduction of the wires outside the cover, the shaft 68 can be formed as a tube, as shown, and filled with a stopper 86 of an epoxy material. Alternatively, the shaft 68 may be a separate part of the cover 74, pressurized to the end wall 74b of the cover from its interior. In that case, integral tabs on the shaft may be coupled to slots in the end wall of the cover 74 of the stator, to rotatably fix the shaft to the cover. This construction allows the wires 78a-78c of the winding 78 to be screwed through the shaft 68, before this shaft and the winding are seated on the cover 74 of the stator. This somewhat simplifies the skewing of the wires. Also placed on the stator cover 74, on the axis of the winding 78, is a cup-type rotor 88, having a cylindrical side wall 88a and an end wall 88b, which faces the open end of the stator cover 74 . A tubular shaft 92 projects axially from the center of the end wall 88b to a location just beyond the open end of the cover 74. The rotor has eight permanent magnets 89, with alternating north and south poles, which extend rectangularly, generally rectangular, spaced around its circumference. Still referring to Figure 2, in order to rotatably mount the rotor 88 on the shaft of the hub assembly 26, the shaft 68 is provided with an internal end extension 68a, which projects into the cover 74. That extension it is stepped in order to seat the internal groove of a circular bearing 94, whose external groove is received in a recess 96, present in the open end segment of the wall 88a of the side of the rotor. Preferably, a spring washer 98 is present between the bearing 94 and its seat in the extension 68a of the shaft, to supply elasticity and the preload of the bearing in order to minimize the noise when the assembly is in operation. The wall 88b of the end of the rotor and the tubular shaft 92, projecting therefrom, has an axial passage 102, which is tapered so as to become apparent later on. Similarly, the radially outer wall of the shaft 92 is stepped in order to supply a seat for the internal groove of a circular bearing 104. As best seen in Figures 2 to 4, the open end of the stator cover 74 is closed by an annular end cap 106, to form a motor housing. This end cap includes a circular flange or side wall 106a, which is externally threaded to correspond with similar threads 108 that are located in the side wall 74a of the stator cover at the open end of the cover. Preferably, an O-ring 109 is placed between these two elements to provide elasticity and a fluid-tight seal therein. The threads are adhered to the final assembly, so that the structure can transmit torsion in both directions without unscrewing. The end cap 106 is also provided with a radial, radially internal flange, or collar 110, which forms a seat for the outer groove of the bearing 104, so that when the end cap is tightened on the stator cover 74, the opposite ends of the rotor are rotatably supported by their respective bearings, 94 and 104, for rotation about the common axis of the shafts 68 and 71, which constitute the rotational axis of the hub assembly 26 as a whole. Likewise, when the cap 106 is tightened on the cover 74, the side wall of the cap or flange 106a compresses the stack 76 of the motor rolling, thus taking any dimensional tolerance between the length of the rolling stack and the various machined parts of the motor and minimizing any eddy current loss in the motor. Thus, the cover of the stator 74 and the cover 106 will completely enclose the internal elements of the motor 62, that is, they form a sealed cover of the stator that protects those elements from the external environment of the motor. In this regard, it should be mentioned that the bearing 104, which sits on the end cap 110, is a sealed bearing, so that fluids from the outside can not pass through that bearing inside the cover 74. Making still Referring to Figures 2 to 4, the end cap 106 also carries components of the gear reducer 64. More particularly, a plurality of posts 112 project from the outer face of the lid 106. In the illustrated assembly, there are four such posts 112, arranged in a circle. Two of these poles, that is, the upper and lower poles, function as axes for a pair of annular planetary gears 114 that are rotatably mounted to these shafts by means of circular bearings 116. Preferably, the poles and the internal walls of the gears are staggered to provide seats for the bearings with the outer grooves of the bearings being retained on their respective gears by snap rings 118 (Figure 2). The planetary gears 114 are coupled with a small diameter sun gear or pinion 122, which projects axially from the rotor shaft 92, between these gears. The sun gear includes a shaft extension 122a, which is of one dimension and is tapered so as to wedge very tightly within the tapered passageway 102 in the rotor shaft 92, so that the sun gear and the rotor rotate in unison. The posts 112 extend somewhat outwardly beyond the bearings 116, which support the planet gears 114. This allows the bearings and, therefore, the gears, to be captured by a rigid retention disk 124, coaxially mounted to the inner end. of the shaft 72 of the assembly More particularly, the inner face of the disc 124 is formed with a circular arrangement of four receptacles or sleeves 126, which are of such dimension and arranged to receive the projection ends of the posts 112, with the ends of the sleeves, upper and lower, brought against the internal grooves of the bearings 116. Thus, the planetary gears 114 are secured to the end cap 106 of the stator cover, but they can be rotated about their axes by the sun gear 122, which is spaced slightly from disk 124, as shown in Figure 2, so that there is minimal friction contact between the sun gear and the disk. Preferably, the disk 124 is releasably secured to the end cap 106 by threaded fasteners 125, which extend through the holes 127 in the disk 124 and are tumbled down into the threaded passages in the posts 112. Referring to Figure 2, the hub 55 of the assembly is a cup-like member, which is arranged to receive and surround the motor 62 and the planetary gears 114 of the gear reducer 64. The hub 66 includes a cylindrical sidewall 66a and an annular end wall 66b, which may be slightly concave, as shown in Figure 2. The end wall 66b has a central opening 128, which provides a clearing for the tree 72. The opening 128 is countersunk to provide a seat for the external groove of a self-lubricating and sealed shaft bearing 132, which allows the hub 66 to rotate freely relative to that shaft. Preferably, a concave washer 134 is present between the bearing 132 and the end wall 66b to provide elasticity, allowing the assembly to better accommodate the small and slight dimensional variations of the parts and the bearing preload., to minimize noise and vibrations. The final component of the gear reducer 64, i.e. a ring gear 16, is shape on the inner surface of the side wall 66a of the hub, opposite the planetary gears 114. As shown in Figure 2, the planetary gears 114 they extend somewhat outwardly beyond the side wall of the motor 62, so as to mesh with the teeth of the ring gear 136. The motor 62 and the components of the gear reducer 64 are assembled to the hub 66 by sliding the shaft 72 first into the open end of the hub until the disk 124 sits against the bearing. They are retained within the hub by an annular end cover 138. The end cover has a central passage 142, which provides a clearance for the shaft 68 of the assembly, there is a sealed and self-lubricating, circular shaft bearing 144 provided between the shaft and the passage wall 142, so that the end cover 138 is free to rotate together with the hub 66 relative to the shaft 68. The periphery of the end cover 138 is threaded, so this end cover it can be screwed into the open end of the hub 66. For that, the inner wall of the side wall 66a of the hub has internal threads 146 which coincide with the threads on the end cover. When the end cap is tightly screwed to the hub, all components of the assembly are held together in the proper coaxial relationship. Preferably, an O-ring, 148, is present between the end cap and the hub, to provide a fluid-tight seal at that location and the threads are gummed to prevent unscrewing in the operation. It will be apparent from the foregoing that when the assembly is in use, the shafts 68 and 72, which are mounted to the frame 10 of the bicycle (Figure 1) are stationary, such as the stator cover 74, the end cap 106 and the disc 124 retention, all are secured together. Therefore, when the winding 78 of the stator in the motor is energized, the rotor 88 and the sun gear 122 are connected there to rotate at a speed which can vary from 0 to 45,000 rpm or more. This solar gear, in turn, rotates the planetary gears 114 of the gear reducer 64, ^ ^ Which, in turn, causes the hub 66, which carries the ring gear 136 to rotate. In a typical assembly, the sun gear 122 can move 6 teeth and each planetary gear 114 can have 30 teeth, while the ring gear 136 can have 66 teeth. gives gear reducer 64 of one stage, a gear reduction ratio of 11: 1. It is important to note, at point, that the cube assembly of the invention does not have a tree therethrough. In other words, the sun gear or pinion 122, which is connected to the rotor 88 of the motor, is completely separated from both shafts 68 and 72. Consequently, it is not subjected to bending forces. means that the sun gear or pinion 122 in bicycle models can be very small, for example 1.27 cm in diameter. , in turn, allows the use of large diameter planetary gears, so a single stage gear reducer 64 can supply a large gear reduction, for example 11: 1, in a small package. efficient, compact, larger gear reduction for a given output and torque speed allows a higher rpm engine, which, in turn, allows the engine and the entire hub to become much smaller for an energy regime dice.

It is also a feature of the invention that the motor 62 of the assembly has a stationary stator, which is located very close to the side wall 66g of the rotary cube 55, being separated by a narrow annular range 152, for example of 3.81 mm. means that there is an efficient transfer of the heat generated in the winding 78 to the side wall 66g of the hub, heat is then dissipated to the outside. To accelerate process, the side wall 66g of the hub may be provided with a plurality of circumferential cooling fins 66a to increase the area of the outer surface of the side wall. The cooling of the modular assembly can be optimized by circulating a cooling agent or lubricant wi the assembly. More particularly, in the assembly of Figure 2, the shaft 72 is provided with an axial passage 154 and an attachment 156 of oil or grease on the outer end of the shaft, which allows a lubricant, such as oil O, to be introduced. in the assembly, so that oil fills the hub 66 up to the level of the passage 158, internally screwed in, of the oil level, present in the end wall 66b of the hub. When the oil O reaches the desired level, the passage 158 can be closed by a screw cap 162. iMriMteHiW ^ When the assembly is stationary, the oil 0 is collected at the bottom of the assembly at a level below the bearings, 132, and 144, of the sealed, self-lubricating main shaft, as shown in Figure 2. Therefore, when the whole is at rest, there is no possibility that the oil will escape from the whole. On the other hand, when the assembly is in operation, the oil 0 is driven radially outwardly away from the bearings 132 and 144 by the centrifugal force. The oil is circulated and splashed around the interior of the hub 66 by the relative rotational movements of the planetary gears, 114 and the hub 66. Thus, the heat generated by the motor 62 and the gear reducer 64 is transferred to the oil, which it circulates through the gap between the disk 124 and the end wall 66b of the hub and between the end cover 138 and the end wall 74b of the stator cover and between the side wall 74a of the stator cover and the side wall 66a of the cube, in order to bring the heat efficiently to the outer envelope of the assembly, which is rotary, and moves through the air stream, where the heat dissipates into the atmosphere. enables the assembly to operate at maximum power for a prolonged period, without overheating.

It is also important to note that the oil 0 is excluded from the cover 74 of the stator and is completely insulated from the electrical wires 78a to 78c, which conduct energy from the connector 84 to the stator winding 78, so that the oil has no effect at all. in the operation of the motor 62. Still, there is only one bearing and seal between the elements of the motor 62 and the oil, namely the bearing 104 and the O-ring, 109. A modular motorized hub assembly, constructed in accordance with Figures 2 to 5, which has a length (not including trees 68 and 72 that are projected) of only . 80 cm and a weight of less than 2.5 kg, it is capable of producing an energy output of up to 300 watts, which is more than three times that which a typical human can produce. Therefore, the hub assembly 26 is capable of propelling the bicycle of Figure 1 in relation to steep slopes, with ease. Referring now to Figures 1 and 5, which illustrate a rear wheel hub assembly 44 of the bicycle of Figure 1. This assembly 44 is very similar to the assembly 26 and, therefore, its similar pairs bear the same numbers of identification. The only real differences between the two are that the shaft 72 of the assembly 44 is longer than the corresponding shaft of the assembly 26, and the end wall of the hub is provided with a flange 172, which extends axially, which functions as a hub for the sprocket 46 and a one-way or free-wheel clutch 174. Preferably, the inner surface of the flange 172 is cone-shaped, so that when the hub 62 is rotated, the cone of the rotary flange expels dirt and moisture away from the bearing 132. The inclusion of the gear 46 makes possible that the hub 66 of the assembly 44 (and the rear wheel 42 as a whole) are manually rotated by the sprocket 46 and its chain drive or by the motor 62 in the assembly 44, or by a combination of both power sources. If the motor 62 rotates the hub 66 more rapidly than the sprocket 46, this sprocket will release the wheel due to the presence of the clutch 174. If no power is applied by the battery pack / control unit 52 of the bicycle to the motor 62, in the rear hub assembly 44 and the rear hub 66 is rotated by means of the chain pulse and the gear 46, the motor can function as a generator to deliver electrical current from new to the unit, in order to recharge the battery pack. In fact, to facilitate such recharging, the bicycle of Figure 1 may be equipped with a base (not shown) that can swing down to support the rear wheel 42 off the floor. The cyclist can then operate the handle of the peal 34 at a high speed. This will rotate the hub 66 to cause the motor 62 to become an electrical generator and produce a DC output that will efficiently charge the battery pack in the unit 52. When the regeneration brake control 54 is actuated (Figure 1) , motor 62 in hub assembly 44 and / or 26) will operate as a generator and brake to decrease or stop movement in front of the bicycle, recapturing and returning this energy to the battery pack in unit 52. FIG. shows a hub assembly 182, motorized, modular, cantilever, suitable for energizing wheelchairs, all land vehicles, front wheels governable tricycles, etc. The assembly 182 is somewhat similar to the assembly 26 illustrated in Figure 2. Therefore, corresponding parts carry the same identification numbers. The main difference between two modular sets is that the set 182 is supported only by the tree 68, that is, there is no tree 72 at the opposite end of the set. Therefore, the shaft 68 is larger and is configured to be mounted to a suitable frame member or support S, shown in silhouette. The outer end segment of the shaft 68 is externally threaded to accommodate a nut 184, which can be screwed into the end of the shaft to secure the assembly to the support S.

Also, the retention disc 124, which retains the planetary gears 144 of the gear reducer 64 has a short shaft 186, which extends axially, instead of the shaft 72, which allows the end wall 66b of the hub 66 to be continuous or closed on the end of the short shaft 76, as illustrated in Figure 7. An oil fill / discharge attachment 187 is present in the end wall 66b of the hub, which allows the oil 0 to be introduced into the hub 66 for the reasons described above. Finally, while the assembly 182 can rotate a spoke wheel, as in Figure 2, the illustrated cylindrical wall 66a of the hub 66 is surrounded by a small molded rim of urethane or other rough resilient material. Turning now to Figure 8, which shows a modular motorized hub assembly 192 for driving the wheel of a skateboard, golf cart or other small vehicle. The interior of the assembly 192 is essentially the same as the assembly 26 shown in Figure 2. However, the assembly 192 has a rotating hub 194, whose cylindrical side wall 194a is formed with a circumferential flange 196, which extends radially, which leads to a rim ring 198. During use, this rim 198 can support a standard rim T. Preferably, a circular arrangement of the radial fins 199 are provided on the flange 196, to stimulate the circulation of the centrifugal air by passing and cooling the cube 194. Referring now to Figure 9, there is shown another modular hub assembly 202, which is cantilevered, as illustrated in Figure 7, and which is suitable for turning a wheel with a standard rim, as in case of the embodiment of Figure 8. The interior of the assembly 202 is essentially the same as the assembly 182 shown in Figure 7. However, the assembly 202 has a hub 204 that is different from those described in previous modalities. More particularly, the hub 204 is a molded part with a cylindrical lateral wall 204a, radially grooved, for the resistance and cooling effect and an end wall 204b located at the end of the hub, adjacent to the shaft 68 instead of the opposite end, as in Figure 7. The side wall 204a encircles the motor 62 of the assembly, but stops near the gear reducer 64. This side wall 204a is formed with a circumferentially external flange 206 in half by its length. The flange 206 supplies a seat for an annular rim ring 208, which has a flange or flange 208a, which extends radially to the interior, the internal diameter of which is slightly larger than that of the hub wall 204a. The rim ring can be releasably secured, by way of the rim 208a to the flange 206 of the hub by a circular array of bolts 210, which extends through the holes 212 in the vane 208a and are rotated within the rims 208a. threaded holes 214 in flange 206 of the hub. Thus, if the rim and / or rim 208 become damaged, they can be removed from the hub assembly 202 without having to detach from its support S. The hub assembly 202 also includes the provision of the mechanical braking hub 204 . More particularly, an annular perforated brake disc, 216, is mounted to the end wall of the hub 204b by means of a circular array of bolts 218, which extends through appropriate holes in the disc and is rotated downwardly within the disc. the threaded holes 220 in the end wall 204b. To decrease the hub, the disc 216 can be frictionally coupled by conventional brake calipers C, shown in silhouette. The open end of the hub 202 adjacent to the gear reducer 64 is closed by an end cover 218, which completely covers the short shaft 186, which projects from the retaining disc 124. The end cover 118 includes a cylindrical side wall. 218a, which is arranged to sit in an internally locked manner against the rim of the side wall 204a of the hub. In this embodiment, the inner surface of the end cover side wall 218a is formed with a ring gear 222 that meshes with the teeth of the planetary gears 114 of the gear reducer 64. The end cover 218 is secured to the wall 202a of the hub by a circular array of bolts 224, which extend through the holes 226 in the end cover and rotate downwardly within the threaded passages 228 in the side wall 204a of the hub. Preferably, an oil fitting 232 and the plug 234 are installed in the end cover 218, so the hub 24 can be partially filled with cooling oil O, as described above, in relation to Figure 2. For energy versions relatively high of the assembly of Figure 9, for example of 5 kilowatt or more, suitable for driving dune trolleys, small cars of the city, etc., the circulation of the cooling oil O through the whole, can be facilitated by a external pump, which circulate the oil in a closed cycle, between an external tank, the radiator of the vehicle and the various hub assemblies in the vehicle. In this case, the necessary connections of the oil to each set can be made by means of accessories on the shaft 68, instead of the accessories 232, 234 in the hub 204. These accessories of the shaft will guide the oil to and from the inside of the set. A solenoid valve can be incorporated in the external cycle of the oil for the action in the external pump at the start of the vehicle, in order to "prime" the internal oil pump of the assembly, comprised of the rotating solar gear 122 and the planetary gears 114 , described above. A distinctive advantage of the hub assembly 202 of Figure 9 is the fact that the end cover 218 can be removed to gain access to the interior of the assembly for the purpose of maintenance and repair without having to remove the hub from its support S or the wheel hub 208 of the hub. Likewise, if the rotor 88, the pinion 122 and / or the ring gear 222 become damaged, only the end cover 218 has to be replaced. Another advantage of the construction of Figure 9 is that the reducer 64 of the one-stage gear can replace a two-stage gear reducer 236, as shown in Figure 9A, so as to give the overall cube assembly a ratio of Greater gear reduction, for example 15: 1. The two-stage gear reducer 236, shown in Figure 9A, differs from the one-stage gear reducer 64, previously described, due to the fact that it has two-part planetary gears 238, rotatably mounted on the poles 112, which project from the retaining disc 106. Each of the two gears 238 includes a first gear section 238a of relatively large diameter, which meshes with the sun gear 122, and a second gear section 238b of smaller diameter, which is axially extends beyond the corresponding post 112. As before, the planetary gears 238 are rotatably secured to the posts 112 by a retaining disc 242. Here, however, the retaining disc has receptacles or sleeves 244 projecting through the disc. the gear section 238b and are recessed to capture the ends of the associated posts 112. The sleeves 244 provide seats for the circular bearings ares 246 so that the gear segments 238b are free to rotate relative to the sleeves 244. The retainer disk 242 is secured to the posts by threaded fasteners 248, which extend through the sleeves and are screwed into the ends of the screws. the posts 112, as before. The assembly of Figure 9A is provided with an end cover 252 that is similar to the end cover 218 in Figure 9, except that it has a dimension and configuration to accommodate the extra length of the two stage gear reducer 236. More importantly, the end cover 252 has a stepped side wall, which has a first side wall portion 252a, which surrounds the straight gear sections 238b. That portion is formed on its inner surface with a ring gear 254, which meshes with the teeth of the straight gear sections 238b of both planetary gears 238. A second side wall portion 252b of the end cover 252 encloses the end portions 252b. straight gear sections, 238a, with an appreciable clearance and sits against the end of the side wall 204a of the hub. As in Figure 9, the hub assembly, the end cover 252 is secured to the side wall 204a of the hub by a circular arrangement of the pins 256. Of course, the two-piece cube construction, with the separable ring gear and the reducer One- or two-stage gear, shown in Figure 9 and 9A, can also be incorporated into the hub assemblies, illustrated in Figures 2 and 7, to obtain the advantages described above for these assemblies, namely, repair and Easy gear reduction change. Similarly, other aspects of the various modalities, described above, can be exchanged, depending on the particular application. It will be seen from the above that the motorized, modular, wheel hub assembly of the invention obtains distinctive advantages in terms of the ability to produce a high output torque in a compact, small package, without the assembly overheating, after a prolonged period of use. The modular set can be adapted to a wide variety of vehicles with bicycle wheels and small tricycles up to trucks and large trucks on and off the road. The assembly can be operated as a motor or a generator, so it can function as an impulse or brake motor. Despite all these advantages, the assembly is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and easy to assemble and repair. Therefore, it is not significantly added to the general cost of the vehicle in which it is installed. In fact, the hub assemblies of the invention for larger vehicles (Figures 7-9) have far fewer parts than a competitive internal compensation engine drive vehicle. Since impulse shafts, couplings, clutches, differentials, front or rear axles, starters, torsion converters, as well as pollution control systems and brake locking, are not necessary. In general, with the electric, modular rudas system of the invention, the life of the entire vehicle can be reasonably prolonged, since the entire motor, drive train and wheel system can be removed and replaced in minutes by unscrewing not much more than a single bolt, see, for example Figure 9, bolt 184.

It will be seen that the aforementioned objects, among those made evident from the preceding description, are efficiently achieved and since certain changes can be obtained in the previous construction, without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that the matter contained in the previous description or shown in the accompanying drawings, is interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. It will also be understood that the following claims attempt to cover all the generic and specific characteristics of the invention, described herein. Having described the invention, what is claimed as new and secured by a patent is:

Claims (36)

1. A motorized wheel hub assembly, having an axis and comprising: a housing, having first and second end walls and a side wall, extending between the end walls, these walls form an interior housing surface; a stator winding in the housing; a rotor, rotatably mounted to the end walls of the housing, so that the rotor can rotate about the axis, inside the winding; a first tree, extending from the first wall, along the axis; a second shaft, extending from the rotor, along the axis, away from the first shaft and through the second wall; a pinion, at the end of the second, external shaft of the housing; a plurality of planetary gears, rotatably mounted to the second end wall, to the outside of the housing, these planetary gears are in gear engagement with the pinion; a third tree; an element for connecting the third tree to the second end wall, so that this third tree extends along the axis, away from the first and second trees, so that all the trees are collinear, but separated from each other; a cube, which encloses the housing and planetary gears, this cube has first and second end walls, which rotatably receive the first and third trees, respectively, and a side wall, which extends between the first and second walls at the end, this side wall of the hub is spaced from the side wall of the housing by a relatively narrow interval; a ring gear, formed on the inner surface of the housing, opposite the planetary gears, this ring gear is in gear engagement with the planetary gears, so that when an electric current is applied to the stator winding, the rotor rotates in relation to the first and third trees, at a selected speed, and the cube rotates in relation to the first and third trees, at a lower speed.

2. The assembly, defined in claim 1, further comprising elements for sealing the interior of the housing, from the interior of the hub.

3. The assembly, defined in claim 2, further comprising elements for introducing a liquid, thermally conductive, into the hub, so that when the hub rotates, relative to the first and third trees, this liquid is circulated through the range, so that the heat generated inside the housing is conducted by the liquid to the walls of the cube and from there to the outside.

4. The assembly, defined in claim 1, wherein the third tree projects through the second end wall of the hub.

5. The assembly, defined in claim 1, wherein the second end wall of the hub covers the third tree, so that the assembly can be cantilevered by means of the first shaft.

6. The assembly, defined in claim 1, wherein the rotor, the side wall of the housing and the side wall of the hub are cylindrical.

7. The assembly, defined in claim 1, in which the winding of the stator is a winding connected in WYE, 3 phase, 3 wires, toroidal.

8. The assembly, defined in claim 7, wherein the rotor has a plurality of poles.

9. The assembly, defined in claim 1, wherein the planetary gears are rotatably mounted to shafts projecting from the second end wall of the housing, and the elements for the connection include a retainer plate, releasably mounted to the axes, the third shaft extends axially from the retaining plate.

10. The assembly, defined in claim 9, wherein the third tree projects through the second end wall of the hub.

11. The assembly, defined in claim 9, wherein the second end wall of the hub covers the third tree, so that the assembly can be cantilevered by means of the first shaft.

12. The assembly, defined in claim 1, further comprising: a sprocket, and a one-way clutch, connected between the sprocket and the second end wall of the hub, so that this sprocket rotates about the axis in only one direction, in relation to the cube.

13. The assembly, defined in claim 1, further comprising: a rim ring, which surrounds the side wall of the hub; a plurality of rays, having first and second corresponding ends; elements to connect the first ends of the spokes to the cube, and elements to connect the second ends of the spokes to the ring, so that this ring is centered on the axis.

14. The assembly, defined in claim 1, further comprising: a rim ring, which surrounds the side wall of the hub, and an element for connecting the rim ring to the side wall of the hub.

15. The assembly, defined in claim 14, in which the elements for the connection can be released, so that this ring can be separated from the hub.

16. The assembly, defined in claim 15, further comprising a brake disc, releasably mounted to one of the end walls of the hub, so as to be centered on the shaft.

17. The assembly, defined in claim 1, further comprising a rim coupled around the side wall of the hub.

18. The assembly, defined in claim 1, wherein the ring gear is formed in the side wall of the hub.

19. The assembly, defined in claim 1, wherein: the second end wall of the hub has a cylindrical skirt, which forms an extension of the side wall of the hub, and the ring gear is formed in the skirt.

20. The assembly, defined in claim 19, wherein: the second end wall of the hub is a separate part of the side wall of the hub and elements for releasably securing the second end wall of the hub to the side wall of the hub. Cube.

21. The assembly, defined in claim 20, wherein each planetary gear has a first section with a relatively large diameter, in mesh engagement with the pinion, and a second section, smaller diameter, collinear with the first section, and in coupling engaged with the ring gear, so that the assembly has a two-stage gear reduction.

22. The assembly, defined in claim 1, wherein each planetary gear has a first section, with a relatively large diameter, in mesh engaged with the pinion, and a second section, with a smaller diameter, collinear to the first section and in coupling engaged with the ring gear, so that the assembly has a two-stage gear reduction.

23. The assembly, defined in claim 1, wherein the hub is smaller than 12.7 cm in diameter and the assembly has a gear reduction ratio that exceeds 10: 1.

24. The assembly, defined in claim 1, wherein the second end wall of the housing can be separated from the side wall of the housing, and the first end wall of the hub can be separated from the side wall of the hub.

25. The assembly, defined in claim 1, further comprising: an electrical connector, mounted to the first shaft; electrical conductors, which extend from the connector along the first shaft into the housing, and elements for connecting the conductors to the stator winding.

26. The assembly, defined in claim 1, further comprising: a first element, which acts between the rotor and the first end wall of the housing, to orient the rotor towards the third tree, and a second element, which acts between the element for the connection and the second wall of the end of the hub, to orient this housing towards the first tree.

27. A motorized wheel hub assembly, which comprises: a sealed engine section, having first and second end walls and a side wall, extending between the end walls, a first shaft, extending from the first end wall and a second rotary shaft, extending from the second wall end, coaxial with the first shaft, and a gear reduction section, adjacent to the second end wall, this gear reduction section includes a pinion at the end of the rotating shaft, a plurality of planetary gears, mounted to the second end wall, in mesh engaged with the pinion, a third shaft, connected to the second end wall, this third shaft is separated from, but coaxial with, the first and second trees, a hub, having an inner surface, which closely surrounds the engine section, and planetary gears and rotatably engages the first and third trees, and a ring gear, formed on the inner surface of the hub, in ac opulación geared with the planetary gears, so that when the second tree rotates at a selected speed, the cube rotates relative to the first and third trees at a lower speed.

28. The assembly, defined in claim 27, further comprising an element for introducing a thermally conductive liquid into the hub, so that when the hub is rotated, the liquid is circulated within this hub, so that the heat generated within the section of the engine, it is conducted by the liquid to the bucket and from there to the outside.

29. The assembly, defined in claim 27, wherein the first and third trees are projected from the hub.

30. The assembly, defined in claim 27, in which only the first tree projects from the cube.

31. The assembly, defined in claim 27, wherein: the hub has a first and second end walls and a side wall, which extends between the end walls.

32. The assembly, defined in claim 31, wherein the ring gear is formed in the side wall of the hub.

33. The assembly, defined in claim 31, wherein: the second end wall of the hub has a cylindrical skirt, which forms an extension of the side wall of the hub, and the ring gear of shape in the skirt.

34. The assembly, defined in claim 31, wherein: the second end wall of the hub is a separate part of the side wall of the hub, and elements for releasably securing the second end wall of the hub to the side wall of the cube.

35. The assembly, defined in claim 34, wherein each planetary gear has a first section of relatively large diameter, in mesh engagement with the pinion,. and a second section, of smaller diameter, collinear to the first section and in meshed engagement with the ring gear, so that the assembly has a two-stage gear reduction.

36. The assembly, defined in claim 27, wherein each planetary gear has a first large diameter section, in mesh engagement with the pinion,. and a second section of smaller diameter, collinear with the first section, and in meshed engagement with the ring gear, so that the assembly has a two-stage gear reduction.