Electric drive device with hydraulic mounting interface

Abstract

An electric drive assembly for operation with components of a work vehicle having SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mounts includes an electric motor having a shaft and a mounting flange. An adapter housing defines an interior space between the component mounting flange and the electric motor mounting flange. The electric motor mounting flange is sized and configured to mate with the mounting flange of the electric motor. The component mounting flange has a bolt hole pattern and mounting pads each having a size and configuration complementary to the size and configuration of the SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mounts. A gear set disposed at least partially in the interior space of the adapter housing is configured to effect a change in drive ratio and to transfer power between the shaft of the electric motor and a drive shaft.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to electric drive devices for work vehicles, and in particular to electric drive devices configured to be interchangeable with hydraulic components. BACKGROUND

[0002] Various work vehicles used in the agricultural, construction, and forestry industries can have hydraulic drive devices for powering various on- and off-board components (e.g., clutches, wheel drives, work implements, etc.). Such work vehicles can also have electrical systems for supplying power to various on- and off-board electrical components and for generating power that can be stored by on- and / or off-board storage devices. SUMMARY

[0003] The present disclosure provides an electric drive assembly for components of work vehicles having SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor input and / or output mounting interfaces.

[0004] In one aspect, the present disclosure provides an electric drive assembly for operation with components of work vehicles having SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mounts. The electric drive assembly includes an electric machine having a shaft and a mounting flange. An adapter housing defines an interior space between the component mounting flange and the electric machine mounting flange. The electric machine mounting flange is configured and dimensioned to mate with the mounting flange of the electric machine. The component mounting flange has a bolt hole pattern and a mounting pad, each having a size and configuration complementary to a size and configuration of the SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mounts. A gear set disposed at least partially in the interior space of the adapter housing is configured to effect a change in gear ratio and to transfer power between the shaft of the electric machine and a drive shaft.

[0005] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing an electric drive assembly for operation with components of work vehicles having SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mounts. The method includes providing an electric machine having a shaft and a mounting flange. The method also includes forming an adapter housing defining an interior space between the component mounting flange and the electric machine mounting flange. The electric machine mounting flange is configured and dimensioned to mate with the mounting flange of the electric machine. The component mounting flange has a bolt hole pattern and a mounting pad, each having a size and configuration complementary to a size and configuration of the SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mounts. The method also includes mounting the mounting flange of the electric machine to the electric machine mounting flange of the adapter housing. The method also includes mounting a gear set at least partially in the interior space of the adapter housing to connect the shaft of the electric machine to a drive shaft. The gear set is configured to effect a change in gear ratio and to transfer power between the shaft of the electric machine and the drive shaft.

[0006] The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 is a simplified perspective view of an exemplary work train according to the present disclosure in which an electric drive device can be used, having a towing work vehicle in the form of an agricultural tractor and a towed work implement in the form of a fertilizer spreader;

[0008] Figure 2 is a simplified schematic view of an exemplary power system arrangement for Figure 1 a work implement and work vehicle;

[0009] Figure 3A is an isometric view of an exemplary electric drive device and SAE C-compatibility hydraulic pump / motor mounting;

[0010] Figure 3B is an isometric view of another exemplary electric drive device and SAE D-compatibility hydraulic pump / motor mounting;

[0011] Figure 4A is an isometric view of an SAE C-type compatibility example of an adapter housing for the electric machine of an electric drive device for Figure 3A ;

[0012] Figure 4B is an isometric view of an SAE D-type compatibility example of an adapter housing for the electric machine of an electric drive device for Figure 3B ;

[0013] Figure 5A is an isometric view of a cast adapter housing before being machined into an adapter housing for Figure 4A ;

[0014] Figure 5B is an isometric view of a cast adapter housing before being machined into an adapter housing for Figure 4B ;

[0015] Figure 6 is a rear isometric view of an adapter housing for Figures 4A to 5B ;

[0016] Figure 7 is an isometric view of an exemplary electric drive device for a power system arrangement for Figure 2 and including an adapter housing;

[0017] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken at plane 8-8 of Figure 7 of an exemplary electric drive device;

[0018] Figure 9 This is an exemplary electric drive device in Figure 7 A partial sectional view taken at point 9-9 on the plane;

[0019] Figure 10 This is an example of a driver component in Figure 7 A partial sectional view taken at plane 10-10 shows the discharge area and outlet starting from the transmission assembly; and

[0020] Figure 11 This is an exemplary transmission component in Figure 7 A sectional view taken from plane 11-11.

[0021] The same reference numerals in different figures indicate the same elements. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The following describes one or more exemplary embodiments of the disclosed electric drive assembly for the work vehicle, as illustrated in the figures in the accompanying drawings briefly described above. Various modifications to the exemplary embodiments will be conceived by those skilled in the art.

[0023] As used herein, unless otherwise limited or modified, a list of elements separated by connecting terms (e.g., “and”) and preceded by the phrase “one or more” or “at least one” indicates a configuration or arrangement that potentially includes the individual elements of the list or any combination thereof. For example, “at least one of A, B and C” or “one or more of A, B and C” indicates the possibility of only A, only B, only C, or any combination of two or more of A, B and C (e.g., A and B, A and C, B and C, or A, B and C).

[0024] Additionally, in describing this disclosure in detail, terms of direction and orientation, such as “downstream,” “upstream,” “longitudinal,” “radial,” “axial,” “circumferential,” “lateral,” and “transverse,” may be used. These terms are defined, at least in part, with respect to the motor, the channel or loop for fluid flow, the rotor, the rotating shaft, and / or the stator. As used herein, the term “longitudinal” indicates orientation along the length of the equipment; the term “lateral” indicates orientation along the width of the equipment and perpendicular to the longitudinal orientation; and the term “transverse” indicates orientation along the height of the equipment and orthogonal to both the longitudinal and lateral orientations. These orientations may be determined relative to a work vehicle or the direction of travel of the work vehicle to which the components may be attached.

[0025] Overview

[0026] Work vehicles can include complex electrical and hydraulic systems that operate various on- and off-board components and implements to perform various work operations. These electrical and hydraulic systems are typically powered by a prime mover (e.g., an internal combustion engine, one or more battery-powered electric motors) that provides the traction power needed to propel the work vehicle. To obtain the required operating power, hydraulic motors can be used that operate through hydraulic pressure achieved by pumps driven by mechanical input from the engine. The hydraulic pumps and motors can be connected to an upstream mechanical input power source and downstream components that are powered through various configurations of hydraulic interfaces. Some such mounting interfaces can be specialized or proprietary mounts having special or non-standard configurations. However, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has standardized certain hydraulic pump and motor mounting interfaces, generally ranging from SAE Type AA to SAE Type F, each having specific rotational shaft and mounting flange dimensions and configurations. The SAE hydraulic pump and motor standards specify the diameter and length of the key or spline shaft, as well as the mounting flange bolt hole pattern (hole size and spacing in two-bolt or four-bolt configurations) and mounting pad guide diameter and length.

[0027] The present disclosure is directed to electrifying typically hydraulically powered components by providing an electric motor and gearset adapter having one or more SAE standard mounting interfaces. In one aspect of the disclosure, the gearset is configured to provide a gear ratio to mechanically generate a torque and speed output at the gearset adapter that is different than the torque and speed output at the rotational shaft of the electric motor itself. For example, the gearset can provide a lower speed, higher torque output than would otherwise come from the electric motor. Regardless of whether the gearing ratio effects higher or lower speed and torque, its power characteristics can be configured to match the power demands of the driven component. Thus, the electric motor and gearset can provide a replacement or alternative to hydraulic pumps and motors with the advantage of reduced cost and complexity compared to hydraulic arrangements and the necessary pressurized fluid circuitry. It also facilitates integration with all-electric systems that can lack an engine or other mechanical power source.

[0028] In various embodiments, the gearset can be mounted in an adapter housing having an electric motor mounting flange and a component mounting flange. Further, in some examples, the work vehicle component to be driven has an SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mount that is an SAE Type C hydraulic pump / motor mount or an SAE Type D hydraulic pump / motor mount, in which case the component mounting flange of the adapter housing is a complementary SAE Type C hydraulic pump / motor mount or an SAE Type D hydraulic pump / motor mount. Other embodiments of the work vehicle component mount and complementary adapter housing can include SAE Type CC, SAE Type E, and / or any other preselected dimension(s).

[0029] The adapter housing can be a monolithic component (e.g., a casting) having one or more features for each of a plurality of SAE hydraulic pump / motor mounts. As one example, the component mounting flange of the adapter housing can be a SAE C-type hydraulic pump / motor mount including a corresponding bolt hole pattern and mounting pads, and the component mounting flange of the adapter housing can include one or more features of a SAE D-type hydraulic pump / motor mount. The one or more features of the SAE D-type hydraulic pump / motor mount include the bolt hole pattern and mounting pads of the SAE D-type hydraulic pump / motor mount. The component mounting flange of the adapter housing is formed such that the bolt hole pattern and mounting pads of the SAE D-type hydraulic pump / motor mount are located in a spaced relationship from the bolt hole pattern and mounting pads of the SAE C hydraulic pump / motor mount, and thus do not interfere with the mounting of the drive device with the other mount.

[0030] As described above, the present disclosure also provides a method of manufacturing an electric drive assembly for operation with a component of a work vehicle having SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mounts, such as initially including a SAE C-type hydraulic pump / motor mount and a SAE D-type hydraulic pump / motor mount. In certain embodiments, the method includes casting an adapter housing as a monolithic component having a component mounting flange and a motor mounting flange, and machining one or more features of the SAE C-type hydraulic pump / motor mount and the SAE D-type hydraulic pump / motor mount. The machining can include drilling a bolt hole pattern for the SAE C-type hydraulic pump / motor mount in the adapter housing. The machining includes grinding one or more surfaces of the mounting pads for the SAE C-type hydraulic pump / motor mount and / or the SAE D-type hydraulic pump / motor mount.

[0031] In certain embodiments, the electric drive device can be configured to alternate between operating as a motor, in which power flows from the motor, through and out of the adapter gearset, and as a generator, in which power flows from the adapter gearset into the motor. In additional embodiments, the gearset can be a planetary gearset having a planetary gear mounted to a carrier, a ring gear, and a sun gear. The ring gear can be connected to an output drive shaft, and the sun gear can be connected to a rotor and shaft of the motor. Thus, the planetary gearset can be configured such that the sun gear is inboard and the ring gear is outboard in the motor power flow direction, and the ring gear is inboard and the sun gear is outboard in the generator power flow direction. In some configurations, the carrier can be fixed to prevent rotation relative to the adapter housing.

[0032] In other embodiments, the adapter gearset and / or intermediate housing can accommodate different electric machines that are mounted in a plurality of different orientations that rotate about a drive axis. The motor mounting flange of the adapter housing can define a cover feature that is configured to enclose a coolant passage of the electric machine in one or more of the mounting orientations. The adapter housing (e.g., at least in part through the motor mounting flange) can also define a drain pod having a drain opening that is configured to interface an interior of the adapter housing with a drain component to direct coolant from a drain port of the electric machine to the drain component. The drain pod is positioned so as to not interfere with bolting a motor from the motor side of the mounting flange into the bolt holes.

[0033] One or more exemplary embodiments of the disclosed electric drive apparatus are described below. The discussion herein can at times focus on exemplary applications of the electric drive assembly for offboarding power from a towing agricultural tractor to a towed implement in a work train. However, the disclosed drive apparatus is applicable to other types of drive components and work vehicles, including various other construction machines (e.g., tracked bulldozers, motor graders, dump trucks) as well as various other agricultural or forestry machines (e.g., combines, harvesters, balers, mowers, skidders, forestry harvesters, etc.) and utility vehicles.

[0034] Exemplary embodiments of the electric drive apparatus

[0035] Reference Figure 1 In some embodiments, the disclosed work train 18 includes a towing work vehicle 20 and a towed work implement 22. In the illustrated example, the work vehicle 20 can be an agricultural tractor and the work implement 22 can be a fertilizer spreader towed behind the agricultural tractor. However, it should be appreciated that other configurations are possible, including configurations in which the work vehicle 20 is a different kind of tractor, or is a work vehicle for other aspects of the agricultural industry or for the construction and forestry industries (e.g., a harvester, a wheel loader, a skidder, etc.). It should also be appreciated that other work implements can be used, including other towed implements, front-mounted implements, on-board devices, etc.

[0036] Generally, the work vehicle 20 includes a power system 24 that supplies and distributes power around the work vehicle train 18. The work vehicle 20 includes a main frame or chassis 26, a cab 28, a control system 30, and a hydraulic system 32. The work vehicle 20 and the work implement 22 can be lifted off the ground by ground-jointing wheels, dual wheels, or tracks. In the example shown, the work vehicle 20 includes steerable front wheels 34 and rear wheels 36, and the work implement 22 includes trailer wheels 38. The chassis 26 supports the cab 28, in which an operator interface and controls (e.g., various joysticks, switches, levers, buttons, touchscreens, keyboards, speakers, and microphones associated with a voice recognition system) are provided. Figure 2 As shown in the simplified schematic diagram, the power system 24 includes a prime mover (engine 40 in this example), a transmission 42, and an auxiliary power system 50 having an electric drive unit 52 to transmit power to the work implement 22. The engine 40 may be an internal combustion engine or other suitable power source connected to propel the work vehicle 20 via the transmission 42 and wheels 34, 36, and to power various onboard and offboard subsystems, including various electric and hydraulic components of the work vehicle 20 and the work implement 22.

[0037] The example implement 22 shown is a fertilizer spreader supported on wheels 38 for being pulled behind the work vehicle 20. The implement 22 draws power at least partially from the power system 24 to operate various powered components, such as the pusher plate 60, mixer assembly 62, signal lights 64, and powered wheel ends (for each wheel 38 including a final drive gear set 66 and an electric motor 90). Figure 2 (Illustrated schematically). The final drive gear set 66 can be any suitable gear arrangement for rotating the wheel 38 at the desired speed and torque, including, for example, a simple or complex planetary gear set having an input member configured to be driven by an electric motor 90 and an output member connected to a wheel hub (not shown) of the associated wheel 38. In use, the fertilizer spreader implement 22 is pulled behind the agricultural tractor-trailer 20. In the crop field, the mixer assembly 62 rotates to chop and distribute fertilizer behind the implement 22. The pusher plate 60 is driven rearward in the direction R to supply fertilizer to the mixer assembly 62 via an extendable piston (not shown). The powered wheel ends are typically powered hydraulically (e.g., via a hydraulic system 32). Hydraulic power can also drive the rotational motion of the mixer assembly 62 and / or the linear motion of the pusher plate 60.

[0038] Generally, the engine 40 can provide mechanical power that is converted into electrical form to operate one or more electrically driven devices 52 of the work vehicle 20 and the electronics of the control system 30. Thus, the control system 30 can have mechanical-to-electrical power conversion components 70, one or more batteries 72 and associated electronics, including various alternators, generators, voltage regulators, rectifiers, inverters, etc. The electrically driven device(s) of the work vehicle likewise can have corresponding inverters, etc., for appropriate power conversion and delivery to components. The engine 40 also can provide mechanical power that is converted into hydraulic form to power various pumps and compressors that pressurize fluid to drive actuators of the hydraulic system 32 to power components of the work vehicle 20, such as the towed work implement 22, wheel steering and brakes, on-board work implements (not shown), etc. The hydraulic system 32 can be connected to and operated by the control system 30 in response to commands from operator input devices (e.g., operator controls, operator display devices, etc.) in the cab 28 or remote from the work vehicle 20. The hydraulic system 32 can include other components (e.g., valves, flow lines, pistons / cylinders, seals / gaskets, etc.) such that control of the various devices can be achieved with and based on hydraulic, mechanical or other signals and movements.

[0039] The control system 30 can be configured as a computing device having associated processor devices and memory architectures, as hard-wired computing circuitry (or circuits), as programmable circuitry, as hydraulic, electrical or electro-hydraulic controllers. The control system 30 can be configured to perform various computing and control functions in connection with the work vehicle 20, including various devices associated with the power system 24, the hydraulic system 32 and various additional components of the work vehicle 20. In some embodiments, the control system 30 can be configured to receive input signals in various forms (e.g., as hydraulic signals, voltage signals, current signals, etc.) and output command signals in various forms (e.g., as hydraulic signals, voltage signals, current signals, mechanical motions such as rotations, etc.). The control system 30 is configured to operate various aspects of the disclosed electrically driven devices 52, which can form part of the power system 24 or part of another subsystem of the work vehicle 20.

[0040] Example arrangements of the power system 24 and the auxiliary power system 50 are shown in Figure 2In more detail, they provide power from the electric drive 52 at the work implement 22 for replacing hydraulic power. In this example, certain components of the auxiliary power system 50 are located on the work vehicle 20 to cooperate with a hydraulic pump manifold 80. The hydraulic pump manifold 80 receives mechanical power from the transmission and transfers that power to one or more auxiliary output devices (e.g., through an internal gear train(s)). The hydraulic pump manifold 80 can have a single output device or multiple output devices. The electric drive 52 is defined by an electric machine 82 (e.g., permanent magnet motor) and a gear set 84 that are connected as a unit so as to be operable as a motor or generator. In the example shown, the electric drive 52 operates as a generator, with the gear set 84 of the electric drive 52 mechanically connected to an output device of the hydraulic pump manifold 80 for transferring torque. The electric drive 52 interfaces with the hydraulic pump manifold 80 in this way to utilize electric power in place of hydraulic power. The gear set 84 then transfers mechanical power to the electric machine 82 of the electric drive 52, which generates DC electric power. An inverter 88 converts the electric power (e.g., from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC)) for delivery to one or more electric motors 90 on the work implement 22. In the example shown, four electric motors 90 are provided, one at each of the wheels 38 to power the final drive gear set 66. The combination of the electric drive 52, the inverter 88, and the electric motors 90 constitutes a motorized unit that replaces the hydraulic pump and motor of a typical arrangement. Replacing hydraulic components with electric components can provide various cost and efficiency improvements for operation of the work vehicle 20.

[0041] Reference is also made to Figure 3A and Figure 3BExemplary electric drive 52 is shown for mounting to a corresponding hydraulic pump / motor mount, which is either a SAE C-type hydraulic pump / motor mount 100C or a SAE D-type hydraulic pump / motor mount 100D. Electric drive 52 includes an electric machine 82 (e.g., motor) having an adapter housing 104 (e.g., SAE C-type adapter housing 106 or SAE D-type adapter housing 108) having a complementary predetermined configuration for interfacing and mounting to the hydraulic pump / motor mount 100C, 100D. The illustrated hydraulic pump / motor mounts 100C, 100D can be provided at various locations on the work vehicle 20 or work implement 22 at which electric drive 52 can be implemented. In particular, the hydraulic pump / motor mounts 100C, 100D include a plurality of bolt holes 110C, 110D that in some examples can be a two or four bolt hole pattern of bolt holes that receive bolts 112C, 112D to fixedly connect the electric drive 52. The SAE C-type or D-type hydraulic pump / motor mounts 100C, 100D include one or more features in a predetermined arrangement, including a plurality of bolt holes 110C, 110D in a bolt hole pattern 114C, 114D having a circular mounting pad 116C, 116D within the recessed bolt hole pattern 114C, 114D. A shaft receiver 118C, 118D has an opening 120C, 120D for a drive shaft 130, 150 of the electric drive 52. The shaft receiver 118C, 118D has a complementary structure, such as splines for interfitting with splines on the drive shaft 130, 150 for co-rotation and effective torque transfer.

[0042] The adapter housing 104 of the electric drive 52 provides a component mounting flange 132 having a complementary structure of predetermined dimensions to connect with the hydraulic pump / mount 100C or 100D, such as SAE standards for SAE C-type hydraulic pump / motor mounting flanges or SAE D-type hydraulic pump / motor mounting flanges. In particular, the component mounting flange 132 includes a complementary arrangement of mounting pads and a plurality of bolt holes. In the SAE C arrangement, the mounting pads 134 define an inner diameter X Figure 3A C of 2.5 inches, an outer diameter A C of 5.0 inches, and a depth W C of 0.5 inches. The plurality of bolt holes 136 for bolts 138 are in a four bolt pattern with the bolt holes 136 in a square arrangement having a length S C of 4.5 inches center to center of consecutive bolt holes 136. The drive shaft 130 extends through an opening 140 of the mounting pad 134 and according to a shaft diameter Ds C ​The drive shafts are sized according to SAE C-type standards. SAE C-type standards cover variations in shaft length, threading, splines, and shape (straight, tapered). In Figure 3B SAE D-type arrangements, the component mounting flange 152 includes a mounting pad 154 that defines an inner diameter X D of 2.75 inches, an outer diameter A D of 6.0 inches, and a depth W D of 0.5 inches. A plurality of bolt holes 156 for bolts 158 are in a four-bolt pattern with the bolt holes 156 in a square arrangement with a length S D of 6.364 inches center-to-center of consecutive bolt holes 156. Similar to the previous example, the drive shaft 150 extends through an opening 160 of the mounting pad 154 and is sized according to SAE D-type standards having a diameter D D and covering variations in shaft length, splines, threading, and shape (e.g., straight, tapered). Additionally, the adapter housing 108 has open space clearance areas 162 Figure 4B , Figure 5B , Figure 6 at the four corners of the component mounting flange 152 to accommodate lateral installation of the bolts 158 into the corresponding bolt holes 156 from between the mounting flange 152 and an inner wall 204 of the adapter housing 108 in the SAE D-type mounting configuration.

[0043] As shown in Figs. Figure 5A and Figure 5B , the adapter housing 104 of the illustrated example can be derived from a monolithic original metal part, such as an original casting 170. Using a single original casting 170 for multiple adapter housing applications reduces part inventory and associated manufacturing costs for multiple adapter housing applications. To provide the desired final part, material is machined off (e.g., by milling, grinding, lathing, etc.) from a base flange 172 of the original casting 170 until the component mounting pads 134, 154 of the particular adapter housing 106, 108 have the desired dimensions, such as SAE C-type or SAE D-type standard dimensions. The base flange 172 in this form includes an inner pad 174, an outer pad 176, an inner bolt region 178, and an outer bolt region 180 with slots defining the bolt holes 156. In this way, one original casting 170 is manufactured that can be finished to have the SAE C-type or SAE D-type arrangement of the desired adapter housing 106, 108. Thus, the original casting 170 is a monolithic part having one or more features (e.g., bolt holes, mounting pads, etc.) for each of multiple SAE hydraulic pump / motor mounts 100C, 100D.

[0044] The surfaces of the final adapter housing 104 that are machined after casting are shown in Figure 5A and Figure 5B as dot peened surfaces. Machining achieves a particular desired SAE standard arrangement (shape, size, etc.). Referring also to Figure 4A , for an SAE C-Style component mounting flange 132, the inner pad 174 of the original casting 170 is ground to form the mounting pad 134, and the bolt holes 136 are drilled to a predetermined standard size and pattern. The inner bolt region 178 is also machined, eliminating the outer pad 176 of the original casting 170. The outer bolt region 180 can not be machined, although it is not used for SAE C-Style applications, as it does not interfere with SAE C-Style applications. Referring also to Figure 4B , to form an SAE D-Style component mounting flange 152, the inner pad 174 of the original casting 170 is eliminated by machining, the surface of the outer pad 176 is ground to form the mounting pad 154, and the outer bolt region 180 is ground. Slots defining the bolt holes 156 can also be drilled or machined to closely correspond to a predetermined standard size and pattern. It will be appreciated that a substantial portion of the adapter housing 104 is not machined for a particular application, but instead is shared between the two applications. It will also be noted that, in addition to being shown as being machined or otherwise surface treated as shown in Figure 5A and Figure 5B , regions of the original casting 170 can be machined or otherwise surface treated.

[0045] Referring also to Figure 6 and Figure 7 , at an end opposite the component mounting flanges 132, 152, the adapter housing 104 has a motor mounting flange 190 that is sized to mate with (e.g., mount by bolts 194) a motor housing 192, either directly or indirectly. In the example shown, the motor mounting flange 190 is attached to an intermediate housing 196, which is in turn attached to the motor housing 192. The motor mounting flange 190 of the adapter housing 104 includes an annular wall 200 having mounting bolt holes 202 that receive bolts 194 for mounting with the intermediate housing 196. The intermediate housing 196 is in turn mounted to the motor 82 by a plurality of bolts 203. The bolts 194 are arranged symmetrically around the periphery of the adapter housing 104 and the intermediate housing 196, allowing a plurality of mounting positions that are rotationally relative to one another. Similarly, the plurality of bolts 203 are arranged symmetrically around the periphery of the intermediate housing 196 and the motor 82, allowing a plurality of mounting positions that are rotationally relative to one another. In one example, the motor 82 can be rotated 180 degrees Figure 8 about the drive axis D in order to attach to the intermediate housing 196.

[0046] An inner wall 204 of the adapter housing 104 extends radially inward from the motor mounting flange 190 to enclose the gear set 84. The inner wall 204 also defines an opening 206 for the drive shaft 130, 150 of the electric drive 52. A tapered wall 208 connects the component mounting flange 132, 152 with the motor mounting flange 190. Thus, a clearance area 162 is defined by the inner face 204, the tapered wall 208, and the component mounting flange 132, 152. The tapered wall 208 extends an axial distance and is at a radially inward position relative to the outer periphery of the component mounting flange 132, 152 to allow for manual insertion of the bolt 156 with the bolt head captured between the inner wall 204 and the component mounting flange 132, 152. This allows the bolt 156 to be threaded into the bolt hole 110D of the hydraulic pump / motor mount 100D in an SAE D-mount configuration. The clearance area 162 also provides space for a tool, such as a wrench, to connect to the bolt head to facilitate tightening of the bolt 156 during installation of the electric drive 52.

[0047] The adapter housing 104 also defines an interior space 210 within the annular wall 200. The gear set 84 is at least partially disposed in the interior space 210. The adapter housing 104 additionally functions to collect and direct a flow of used coolant from the electric drive 52. The annular wall 200 of the motor mounting flange 190 of the adapter housing 104 defines a drain pocket 220 in a box flange 222 extending from an open portion 224 of the annular wall 200. The open portion 224 delivers used coolant that falls from the gear set 84. The box flange 222 includes an entry port 226 at an axial face thereof for delivering used coolant from the motor 82 via the intermediate housing 196. The drain pocket 220 has a drain opening 228 for directing the used coolant to a drain component 230 of the electric drive 52. Radially opposite the box flange 222 and the entry port 226, the adapter housing includes a planar flange 232 having a generally circular cover feature 234. The cover feature 234 blocks a corresponding coolant flow from the intermediate housing 196 when the motor 82 and / or the intermediate housing 196 is alternately installed at a position rotated 180 degrees about the drive axis D.

[0048] Turning to details of the exemplary motor 82 and also referring to Figure 8The motor housing 192 has a generally hollow annular (e.g., cylindrical) shape with an outer peripheral surface 250 extending about the drive axis D from a first axial end (e.g., drive end 252) to a second axial end (e.g., non-drive end 254). The drive end 252 can include one or more mounting flanges 256 having a plurality of mounting holes 258 for attaching (e.g., by bolts 203) to the intermediate housing 196 of the gear set 84 or another nearby fixed component. One or more connectors 260 are arranged on the motor housing 192 for various purposes to supply power, such as from the power system 24 or battery 72, and provide wired electrical connections with the control system 30. An end section 262 of the motor housing 192 is also a hollow annular shape that axially surrounds the non-drive end 254.

[0049] The motor 82 of the illustrated example is a permanent magnet motor that includes a stator 270 and a rotor 272. The stator 270 includes a core 274 arranged in an annular shape coaxial with the rotor 272 and can be formed from a solid core material, a plurality of stacked laminations, or separate core materials. The stator 270 also includes coils 276 positioned radially inward of (e.g., wound around) the core 274 and configured to induce electrical current when the rotor 272 rotates. The coils 276 can include axial end turns 278 that extend axially beyond the core 274.

[0050] The rotor 272 has a rotor shaft 280 configured to rotate about the drive axis D. The rotor shaft 280 can be supported for rotation relative to the motor housing 192 by one or more bearings, such as roller bearing assemblies 282 mounted proximate each of the drive end 252 and the non-drive end 254. The rotor shaft 280 can be integrally formed as a single unitary component that extends axially beyond the motor housing 192 for connection with the gear set 84, or can be a subassembly having two or more components. The rotor 272 also includes a rotor core 284 mounted for co-rotation with the rotor shaft 280. The rotor core 284 is formed from a plurality of rotor laminations each carrying a plurality of permanent magnets (not shown) for magnetic field generation. The permanent magnets are spaced circumferentially about the drive axis D and arranged with alternating polarity so that rotation of the coils 276 of the stator 270 induces an alternating magnetic field.

[0051] The motor housing 192 encloses a cooling circuit 290 that delivers coolant from a single source of coolant input 292 (e.g., liquid oil) to both the motor 82 and the gear set 84. Generally, various parts and portions of the motor 82 can be sources of heat generation during use. To receive the coolant input 292, the motor housing 192 has an intermediate flange 294 located between the drive end 252 and the non-drive end 254. The intermediate flange 294 includes a coolant intake port 296 for supplying coolant to the cooling circuit 290, which is the only directed source of coolant for both the motor 82 and the gear set 84. The motor housing 192 has a coolant discharge port 298 at the drive end 252, and the discharge port is formed in one of the mounting flanges 256. The coolant discharge port 298 is in fluid communication with the coolant intake port 296. The coolant discharge port 298 fluidly connects the motor 82 to the mating gear set 84 at a threshold device 300 between components, allowing for a shared coolant supply without the need for separate tubing lines, fittings, etc. A mating dock coolant passage 302 of the intermediate housing 196 is positioned at the threshold device 300 to receive coolant from the coolant discharge port 298 and deliver the coolant to a carrier coolant passage 303 for distributing coolant around the gear set 84. Thus, the cooling circuit 290 is a combined cooling circuit that delivers coolant between the motor 82 and the gear set 84 without any external hoses or lines. Instead, fluid is contained within the motor housing 192, the intermediate housing 196, and the adapter housing 104. In particular, coolant flows in series from a motor section 304 of the cooling circuit 290 to a gear set section 306 of the cooling circuit 290 by flowing through the mating coolant passages (the coolant discharge port 298 and the dock coolant passage 302) at the threshold device 300 of the motor housing 192 and the intermediate housing 196.

[0052] The motor housing 192 of the example electric drive 52 includes a coolant passage 310 for providing a flow of coolant fluid through the motor 82, which flow is generally referred to as the motor section 304 of the cooling circuit 290. The coolant passage 310 can be integrally formed as a unitary component of the motor housing 192. The end section 262 of the motor housing 192 can also have a coolant passage 310 formed therein. The coolant passage 310 includes a coolant inlet port 296 for receiving a coolant input 292 and a coolant outlet port 298 for providing a coolant output to the gear set 84. The motor section 304 can be divided into a stator feed circuit 312 and a rotor feed circuit 314 that are at least partially formed by the coolant passage 310. In the example shown, a passage intersection 316 is positioned downstream of the coolant inlet port 296 to divide the flow into three directions: to the gear set section 306 via the coolant outlet port 298, to the stator feed circuit 312 via a serpentine coolant passage 318, and to the rotor feed circuit 314 via an external axial passage 320. The rate of coolant flow to these different passages can be metered or otherwise controlled by orifices, nozzles, etc. (not shown). It will be appreciated that the intersection 316, along with the intermediate flange 294, can be positioned at any axial location along the motor housing 192 between the drive end 252 and the non-drive end 254. Used coolant from the motor section 304 can be passively flowed to the drive end 252 to be discharged with the discharge flow Dl through the intermediate housing 196, or to the non-drive end 254 to be discharged through a discharge conduit 322 in the discharge member 230. The used coolant collected in the discharge member can then be recirculated (through various pumps, lines, and fittings) to a hydraulic reservoir or tank 324, as Figure 8 is schematically shown.

[0053] The stator feed circuit 312 of the motor section 304 initially extends around the periphery of the motor housing 192 with serpentine coolant channels 318 in a plurality of branches spaced axially apart. The serpentine coolant channels 318 are formed on an inner peripheral surface 330 of the motor housing 192. For the stator feed circuit 312 in the illustrated example, coolant flows from the coolant input 292 to the serpentine coolant channels 318 via the cross-over 316. As illustrated, the coolant in the serpentine coolant channels 318 flows around a substantial portion of the circumference of the inner peripheral surface 330 of the motor housing 192 in an axial center region of the housing, and then the serpentine coolant channels 318 branch in two axial directions so that the coolant flows around a substantial portion of the circumference of the inner peripheral surface 330 proximate the drive end 252 and the non-drive end 254. With this arrangement, the flow of coolant through the serpentine coolant channels 318 flows in physical contact with the outer periphery of the core 274 of the stator 270 for direct convective cooling. In the illustrated example with three branches of the serpentine coolant channels 318, a substantial contact area is provided between the coolant in the stator feed circuit 312 and the core 274, resulting in significant cooling. The serpentine coolant channels 318 can then connect to one or more spray rings (not shown) for spraying coolant to the axial end turns 278 of the coils 276 of the stator 270.

[0054] The rotor feed circuit 314 is arranged to carry a portion of the coolant input 292 from the coolant entry port 296 to and through components of the rotor 272. The rotor feed circuit 314 initially extends axially away from the cross-over 316 through an outer axial passage 320 toward the non-drive end 254 of the motor 82. Then, at the non-drive end 254, an end radial passage 332 ( Figure 7 ) extends radially inward toward the rotor 272. An axial coolant passage 334 ( Figure 8 ) extends through the rotor shaft 280 and along the drive axis D. The axial coolant passage 334 can provide coolant at the drive end 252 for connection with the gear set 84 as a spline lubricant.

[0055] The rotor feed circuit 314 branches from the axial coolant passage 334 to carry coolant to and through the rotor core 284. In particular, one or more radial passages 336 intersect the axial coolant passage 334 and extend into the rotor core 284. From the one or more radial passages 336, the rotor core 284 includes axial coolant passages 338 to allow coolant to flow in both axial directions. The axial coolant passages 338 are interspersed circumferentially between the permanent magnets to axially transport coolant throughout the rotor core 284 and between the plurality of rotor laminations. The rotor feed circuit 314 can also provide a coolant passage to the roller bearing assembly 282 via one or more bearing radial passages 340.

[0056] For the rotor feed circuit 314 of the example shown, the coolant flow from coolant input 292 enters the outer axial channel 320 through intersection 316. The coolant then flows radially inward through the end radial channel 332 and onto the axial coolant channel 334 of the rotor shaft 280. In the axial coolant channel 334, the coolant flows axially toward the drive end 252, while also radially branching through the one or more radial channels 336 and the one or more bearing radial channels 340. Starting from the one or more radial channels 336, the coolant flow branches in two axial directions through the axial coolant channel 338, through the rotor core 284 and out to reach the drive end (via the intermediate housing 196 as...). Figure 10 Discharge is carried out at the discharge flow D1 in the middle and at the non-drive end 254 (as discharge flow D4 through duct 322).

[0057] Also refer to Figure 8 and Figure 11The internal structure of the electric drive 52 is shown in detail, including a gear set 84 contained at least partially in the intermediate housing 196. Likewise, the adapter housing 104 is fixedly mounted to the intermediate housing 196 and serves to at least partially contain the gear set 84 in the interior space 210. In the example shown, the gear set 84 is an epicyclic gear set that includes a sun gear 350, one or more planet gears 352, a ring gear 354, and a carrier 356. The carrier 356 in this example is radially inward of the intermediate housing 196 and thus non-rotatable when supporting the one or more planet gears 352 for rotation about an axis of rotation of the sun gear 350. The axis of rotation of the sun gear 350 in the example shown is the same as the drive axis of the drive shafts 130, 150 and rotor shaft 280 of the electric drive 52. The ring gear 354 includes a disc gear 358 that is an annular disc extending from a toothed outer diameter or spline outer diameter that meshes with the ring gear 354 to a toothed inner diameter or spline inner diameter that meshes with the drive shafts 130, 150 of the electric drive 52. The ring gear 354 in the example shown has two toothed regions 360 and 362 of different tooth counts and / or configurations, with the toothed region 360 of the ring gear configured to mesh with the teeth of the planet gears 352 and the toothed region 362 configured to mesh with the teeth at the outer diameter of the disc gear 358. The different tooth counts / configurations of the toothed regions 360 and 362 allow the ring gear 354 to interface with the planet gears 352 and the disc gear 358 at different gear ratios. However, in some cases, the ring gear 354 can have a single toothed segment or spline segment through its inner diameter that meshes with the planet gears 352 and the disc gear 358 at a common drive ratio. The disc gear 358 is held captive between a shoulder 364 of the ring gear 354 and a retaining ring 366 that fits in an annular groove 368 at the inner diameter within the toothed region 362 of the ring gear 354. The drive shafts 130, 150 are supported for rotation relative to the adapter housing 104 by one or more bearings, such as roller bearing assemblies 370.

[0058] In the embodiment shown, the carrier 356 is integrally formed as a unitary piece with the intermediate housing 196 (e.g., formed simultaneously from the same material by the same process). In particular, the carrier 356 is an annular disc-like portion of the intermediate housing 196 extending radially inward from an axially extending annular peripheral wall 372, both of which extend about the drive axis D. The carrier includes a pinion shaft or mandrel (not shown) extending axially from the annular disc to mount the planet gears 352. Thus, the carrier 356 of the gear set 84 not only serves to set the drive ratio of the gear set 84, but also serves as a portion of the intermediate housing 196 and can also have carrier coolant passages 303 that form part of the gear set section 306 of the cooling circuit 290.

[0059] The intermediate housing 196 interfaces with the electric machine 82 to fixedly mount the gear set 84 to the electric machine 82. A plurality of mounting flanges 374 Figure 7 extend from a peripheral wall 372 of the intermediate housing 196, each mounting flange 374 having a mounting hole (not shown) for receiving a fastener, such as a bolt 194 fastened to the electric machine 82. A double flange 376 Figure 9 of the intermediate housing 196 similarly extends from the peripheral wall 372 and includes mounting holes and interface coolant passages 302. The mounting flanges 374 and corresponding holes are evenly spaced about the periphery of the intermediate housing 196. Due to this symmetrical arrangement, the intermediate housing 196 can be installed in different orientations as required for connection to the electric machine 82. Likewise, the symmetrical arrangement of the bolts 203 allows the intermediate housing to be installed in different orientations relative to the adapter housing 104.

[0060] Reference is also made to Figure 10 for a detailed illustration of the various drain flows to the drain component 230. Generally, various components of the electric drive 52, including the electric machine 82 and the gear set 84, are provided with coolant (e.g., pressurized oil, etc.) flowing in the cooling circuit 290. This coolant is ultimately drained to various portions of the electric drive 52 before being collected at the drain component 230, which is positioned below the adapter housing 104, for subsequent reuse. In particular, a drive end drain flow Dl from the electric machine is collected in the intermediate housing 196 and passes through an exit passage 380 (shown in dashed line) to the entry port 226 of the drain compartment 220 of the adapter housing 104. A gear set drain flow D2 passes through the open portion 224 along a recessed area 382 in the cradle 356 of the intermediate housing 196 to be collected in the drain compartment 220. These flows combine into a drain compartment flow D3 that enters the drain component 230. A non-drive end flow D4 from the electric machine 82 passes through the drain conduit 322 to the drain component 230. In an alternative example in which the electric machine 82 is rotated 180 degrees about the drive axis D, a cover feature 234 Figure 6 of the adapter housing 104 blocks the exit passage 380 of the intermediate housing 196. The used coolant collected in the drain component 230 can be actively or passively cooled while being routed to the coolant entry port 296 of the electric machine 82 for redistribution throughout the electric drive 52.

[0061] Figure 11The diagram illustrates the power flow within the electric drive unit 52 in generator mode. In generator mode, the engine 40 provides a power source connected via hydraulic motor / pump mounts 100C, 100D, which supplies mechanical power to the electric drive unit 52. Rotation from the hydraulic motor / pump mounts 100C, 100D is transmitted to drive shafts 130, 150, which rotate in conjunction with and drive disc gears 358 and ring gears 354, which in turn drive the rotation of planetary gears 352. The bracket 356 remains stationary, and thus the planetary gears 352 drive the rotation of the sun gear 350. The sun gear 350 meshes with the rotor shaft 280 of the motor 82, where the final rotation of the permanent magnets in the rotor 272 induces a current in the coils 276 of the stator 270. Therefore, in generator mode, the gear set 84 provides power along the path of the motor 82. Figure 11 The path indicated by the middle arrow is a configuration in which the ring gear is inside and the sun gear is outside, through which the motor 82 transmits power, and the motor 82 converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.

[0062] The electric drive device disclosed herein can also be implemented in a drive mode, for example, when operating as a motor at the wheel-end drive. In drive mode, the gear arrangement and connection of the gear set can remain the same, including that the bracket is fixed (i.e., grounded) to prevent rotation. Power flow in drive mode is... Figure 11 The power flow in the generator mode shown is in the opposite axial direction, starting from the motor, which acts as a motor to output rotating mechanical power. The motor can be energized by the previous generator mode or selectively energized via another source such as battery 72. When energized, the current in the stator coils causes the rotor permanent magnets to rotate, which in turn causes the rotor shaft to rotate. The rotor shaft engages with the sun gear of the planetary gear set in the gear train, thereby driving the planetary gears to rotate. Because the bracket is fixed, the planetary gears cannot rotate within the ring gear 354, and therefore the rotation of the planetary gears drives the rotation of the ring gear. The ring gear rotates together with the disc gear and the drive shaft, thereby outputting mechanical power (e.g., rotation) to the hydraulic pump / motor mount for transmission to another component of the work vehicle. Thus, in drive mode, the gear train provides a configuration with the sun gear inside and the ring gear outside, where the motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.

[0063] As another exemplary arrangement not shown, the auxiliary power system may be located entirely outside the work vehicle. In some examples, the towed work implement is a commercial vehicle that provides a bulk supply (e.g., seeds) to a seeder. The commercial vehicle may have a hydraulic system with a hydraulic pump / motor mount, in which the electric drive unit of this disclosure is mounted to power one or more components of the commercial vehicle. This component may be similar to... Figure 2Additional or alternative components of the auxiliary power system (including the hydraulic pump / motor mount and the disclosed electric drive) can be located on the planter, for example, to electrically power foldable spreader wings, positionable tillers / knives, etc. The electric drive can be mounted to the hydraulic pump manifold for receiving mechanical power from the transmission (e.g., through a power takeoff (PTO)) and can transfer that power to one or more auxiliary outputs (e.g., through an internal gear train(s)). The gear set of the electric drive can be mechanically connected to an output of the hydraulic pump manifold for transferring torque. With this arrangement, the hydraulic pump manifold drives rotation of the gear set, which turns the electric motor acting as a generator, thereby converting mechanical power to electrical power. The inverter converts the electrical power to AC, which is then delivered to a second electric motor that drives the powered components. Thus, these components can be physically carried by the towed vehicle and operate under the primary hydraulic power from the towing vehicle.

[0064] The electric drive devices of the present disclosure can be installed at different locations on work vehicles or work implements and can provide the functionality of a motor, generator, or reversible motor / generator. The electric drive devices can replace various types of hydraulic pump / motor arrangements. In some cases, pressurized hydraulic fluid can travel through a power take-off (PTO) shaft, or in other cases through a separate hydraulic line. The hydraulic system can be a single hydraulic power source that distributes hydraulic power to the entire work train. It can also include a primary hydraulic power source and a secondary hydraulic power source that is fed by the primary hydraulic power source and is physically remote from the primary hydraulic power source on the same or different vehicles of the work train. Thus, work implements can be hydraulically powered by the primary hydraulic power source or a combination of the primary hydraulic power source and the secondary hydraulic power source and through hydraulic fluid connections or mechanical connections to driven components. Mechanical power can interface directly with driven components or through intermediate mechanical connections (e.g., PTOs) between the hydraulic power source and the driven components. Thus, hydraulic power can be converted directly to electric power or first converted to mechanical power before being converted to electric power. The electric drive devices can provide electrification at the mount associated with any of these hydraulic system arrangements. To allow for interoperability with exemplary electric drive devices, the mounting locations for the adapter housing of the electric drive devices can be designed to conform to SAE hydraulic mounting standards even though such mounting locations are not intended for hydraulic pumps / motors. In this manner, the electric drive devices can connect to various subsystems or components of the work vehicle, such as the gear assembly of the pump drive. In other embodiments, the electric drive devices can connect to other components, such as the engine flywheel damper, mechanical connections to the engine shaft, or other auxiliary components of the work vehicle. It should also be noted that other types of gear sets are suitable for use with the present disclosure for providing similar gear reduction between the electric drive device and the connected subsystem / component.

[0065] Train Examples of Electric Drive Devices

[0066] Furthermore, the following examples are provided for ease of reference and are numbered for ease of reference.

[0067] 1. An electric drive assembly for operation with a component of a work vehicle, the work vehicle having a SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mount, the electric drive assembly comprising: an electric machine having a shaft and a mounting flange; an adapter housing defining an interior space between a component mounting flange and an electric machine mounting flange, the electric machine mounting flange configured and dimensioned to mate with the mounting flange of the electric machine, the component mounting flange having a bolt hole pattern and mounting pads each having a size and configuration complementary to that of the SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mount; and a gear set at least partially disposed in the interior space of the adapter housing and configured to effect a change in drive ratio and to transfer power between the shaft of the electric machine and a drive shaft.

[0068] 2. The drive assembly of example 1, wherein the SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mount is a SAE C-type hydraulic pump / motor mount or a SAE D-type hydraulic pump / motor mount; and wherein the component mounting flange of the adapter housing is a complementary SAE C-type hydraulic pump / motor mount or a SAE D-type hydraulic pump / motor mount.

[0069] 3. The drive assembly of example 1, wherein the SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mount is a SAE C-type hydraulic pump / motor mount; wherein the component mounting flange of the adapter housing is a complementary SAE C-type hydraulic pump / motor mount including a corresponding bolt hole pattern and mounting pads; and wherein the component mounting flange of the adapter housing includes one or more features of a SAE D-type hydraulic pump / motor mount.

[0070] 4. The drive assembly of example 3, wherein the one or more features of the SAE D-type hydraulic pump / motor mount include a bolt hole pattern and mounting pads of a SAE D-type hydraulic pump / motor mount; and wherein the bolt hole pattern and mounting pads of the SAE D-type hydraulic pump / motor mount are positioned in a spaced relationship from the bolt hole pattern and mounting pads of the SAE C-type hydraulic pump / motor mount.

[0071] 5. The drive assembly of example 1, wherein the adapter housing is cast as a unitary component having one or more features for each of a plurality of SAE hydraulic pump / motor mounts.

[0072] 6. The drive assembly of example 1, wherein the adapter housing defines a drain pocket having a drain opening configured to interface the interior space with a drain component to direct coolant from a drain port of the electric machine to the drain component; wherein the electric machine mounting flange at least partially defines the drain pocket of the adapter housing; and wherein the electric machine mounting flange defines a cover feature configured to enclose a coolant passage of the electric machine.

[0073] 7. The drive assembly of example 1, wherein the gear set is a planetary gear set having planetary gears mounted to a carrier, a ring gear, and a sun gear; wherein the ring gear is connected for co-rotation with the drive shaft, and the sun gear is connected for co-rotation with the shaft of the electric machine; and wherein the carrier is fixed against rotation relative to the adapter housing.

[0074] 8. The drive assembly of example 7, wherein the electric machine is configured to operate alternately as a motor in a first power flow direction and as a generator in a second power flow direction opposite the first power flow direction; and wherein the planetary gear set is configured such that in the first power flow direction the sun gear is inside and the ring gear is outside, and in the second power flow direction the ring gear is inside and the sun gear is outside.

[0075] 9. A method of manufacturing an electric drive assembly for operation with a component of a work vehicle, the work vehicle having a SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mount, the method comprising: providing an electric machine having a shaft and a mounting flange; forming an adapter housing defining an interior space between a component mounting flange and an electric machine mounting flange, the electric machine mounting flange configured and dimensioned to mate with the mounting flange of the electric machine, the component mounting flange having a bolt hole pattern and mounting pads, each of the bolt hole pattern and mounting pads having a size and configuration complementary to a size and configuration of the SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mount; mounting the mounting flange of the electric machine to the electric machine mounting flange of the adapter housing; and at least partially mounting a gear set in the interior space of the adapter housing to connect the shaft of the electric machine to a drive shaft, the gear set configured to effect a change in gear ratio and to transfer power between the shaft of the electric machine and the drive shaft.

[0076] 10. The method of example 9, wherein the SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mount is a SAE Type C hydraulic pump / motor mount or a SAE Type D hydraulic pump / motor mount; and wherein the component mounting flange of the adapter housing is a complementary SAE Type C hydraulic pump / motor mount or a complementary SAE Type D hydraulic pump / motor mount.

[0077] 11. The method of example 10, wherein forming the adapter housing comprises casting the adapter housing as a monolithic component having the component mounting flange and the motor mounting flange; and the method further comprises machining one or more features of the SAE Type C hydraulic pump / motor mount and the SAE Type D hydraulic pump / motor mount; wherein the machining comprises drilling a bolt hole pattern for the SAE Type C hydraulic pump / motor mount in the adapter housing; and wherein the machining comprises grinding one or more surfaces of a mounting pad for the SAE Type C hydraulic pump / motor mount or the SAE Type D hydraulic pump / motor mount.

[0078] 12. The method of example 10, wherein the SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mount is a SAE Type C hydraulic pump / motor mount; wherein the component mounting flange of the adapter housing is a complementary SAE Type C hydraulic pump / motor mount; and wherein the component mounting flange of the adapter housing comprises one or more features of a SAE Type D hydraulic pump / motor mount.

[0079] 13. The method of example 12, wherein forming the adapter housing comprises casting the adapter housing as a monolithic component having the component mounting flange and the motor mounting flange; and the method further comprises machining one or more features of the SAE Type C hydraulic pump / motor mount and the SAE Type D hydraulic pump / motor mount; wherein the machining comprises drilling a bolt hole pattern for the SAE Type C hydraulic pump / motor mount in the adapter housing; and wherein the machining comprises grinding one or more surfaces of a mounting pad for the SAE Type C hydraulic pump / motor mount.

[0080] 14. The method of example 9, wherein the adapter housing defines a drain compartment having a drain opening configured to interface the internal space with a drain component to direct coolant from a drain port of the motor to the drain component; wherein the motor mounting flange at least partially defines the drain compartment of the adapter housing; and wherein the motor mounting flange defines a cover feature configured to enclose a coolant passage of the motor.

[0081] 15. The method of example 14, wherein the gear set is a planetary gear set having planet gears mounted to a carrier, a ring gear, and a sun gear; wherein the ring gear is connected for co-rotation with the drive shaft, and the sun gear is connected for co-rotation with the shaft of the electric machine; wherein the carrier is fixed against rotation relative to the adapter housing; and wherein the planetary gear set is configured such that power is transferred in a first power flow direction with the sun gear inboard and the ring gear outboard, and in a second power flow direction opposite the first power flow direction with the ring gear inboard and the sun gear outboard.

[0082] CONCLUSION

[0083] The examples discussed above result in various benefits of the disclosed electric drive device. For example, the electric drive device can utilize significantly fewer parts and installation steps in place of a hydraulic pump / motor arrangement, thereby saving time and cost. The electric drive device is readily adaptable to various on-board or off-board implementations of a work vehicle. The single, original casting of the adapter housing allows for reduced manufacturing costs, as the casting process does not have to be changed for each version of the adapter housing.

[0084] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0085] The description of the disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the disclosure in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. The embodiments and examples explicitly cited herein were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the disclosure and recognize various embodiments and modifications as falling within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, various embodiments and implementations other than those explicitly described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosure.

Claims

1. An electric drive assembly (52) for operation with a component of a work vehicle (20), the work vehicle (20) having a SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mount (100C, 100D), the electric drive assembly (52) comprising: an electric machine (82) having a shaft (280) and a mounting flange (196, 256); an adapter housing (104, 106, 108) defining an interior space between a component mounting flange (132, 152) and a machine mounting flange (190) configured and dimensioned to mate with the mounting flange of the electric machine (82), the component mounting flange (132, 152) having a bolt hole pattern (136, 156) and mounting pads (134, 154) each having a size and configuration complementary to a size and configuration of the SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mount (100C, 100D), wherein the adapter housing is a unitary casting with the component mounting flange and the machine mounting flange, and the component mounting flange has features of a plurality of SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mounts, and wherein one or more of the features of the plurality of SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mounts are machined such that the component mounting flange defines a dedicated SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mount; and a gear set (84) disposed at least partially in the interior space of the adapter housing (104, 106, 108) and configured to effect a change in drive ratio and to transfer power between the shaft (280) of the electric machine (82) and a drive shaft (130, 150).

2. The electric drive assembly of claim 1, wherein, the dedicated SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mount (100C, 100D) of the component mounting flange defines a SAE C-type hydraulic pump / motor mount (100C) or a SAE D-type hydraulic pump / motor mount (100D).

3. The electric drive assembly of claim 1, wherein, the cast adapter housing defines features of a SAE C-type hydraulic pump / motor mount (100C) and features of a SAE D-type hydraulic pump / motor mount in the component mounting flange; wherein the cast adapter housing (106) is machined such that the component mounting flange defines only features of a SAE C-type hydraulic pump / motor mount.

4. The electric drive assembly of claim 3, wherein, the cast adapter housing includes an annular mounting pad of the SAE D-type hydraulic pump / motor mount and an annular mounting pad of the SAE C-type hydraulic pump / motor mount; and wherein the annular mounting pad of the SAE D-type hydraulic pump / motor mount is machined away such that the component mounting flange defines only the SAE C-type hydraulic pump / motor mount.

5. The electric drive assembly of claim 1, wherein, The adapter housing (104, 106, 108) defines a drain pocket (220) having a drain opening (228) configured to interface the interior space with a drain component (230) to direct coolant from a drain port of the electric machine to the drain component (230); wherein the electric machine mounting flange (190) at least partially defines the drain pocket (220) of the adapter housing (104, 106, 108); and wherein the electric machine mounting flange (190) defines a cover feature (234) configured to enclose a coolant passage of the electric machine (82).

6. The electric drive assembly of claim 1, wherein, The gear set (84) is a planetary gear set having planetary gears (358) mounted to a carrier (356), a ring gear (354), and a sun gear (350); wherein the ring gear (354) is connected for co-rotation with the drive shaft (130, 150), and the sun gear (350) is connected for co-rotation with the shaft (280) of the electric machine (82); and wherein the carrier (356) is fixed against rotation relative to the adapter housing (104, 106, 108).

7. The electric drive assembly of claim 6, wherein, The electric machine (82) is configured to operate alternately as a motor in a first power flow direction and as a generator in a second power flow direction opposite the first power flow direction; and wherein the planetary gear set (84) is configured such that in the first power flow direction the sun gear is in and the ring gear is out, and in the second power flow direction the ring gear is in and the sun gear is out.

8. A method of manufacturing an electric drive assembly (52) for operation with a component of a work vehicle (20), the work vehicle (20) having a SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mounting (100C, 100D), the method comprising: providing an electric machine (82) having a shaft (280) and a mounting flange (196, 256); forming an adapter housing (104, 106, 108) defining an interior space between a component mounting flange (132, 152) and a motor mounting flange (190) configured and dimensioned to mate with the mounting flange (196, 256) of the motor (82), the component mounting flange (132, 152) having a bolt hole pattern (136, 156) and mounting pads (134, 154) each having a size and configuration complementary to a size and configuration of the SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mount (100C, 100D), wherein forming the adapter housing includes casting the adapter housing as an integral component with the component mounting flange and the motor mounting flange, and wherein the component mounting flange has features of a plurality of SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mounts and one or more of the features of the plurality of SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mounts are machined to cause the component mounting flange to define a dedicated SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mount; mounting the mounting flange (196, 256) of the motor (82) to the motor mounting flange (190) of the adapter housing (104, 106, 108); and mounting a gear set (84) at least partially in the above-mentioned interior space of the adapter housing (104, 106, 108) to connect the shaft (280) of the motor (82) to a drive shaft (130, 150), the gear set (84) being configured to effect a change in gear ratio and to transfer power between the shaft (280) of the motor (82) and the drive shaft (130).

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, the component mounting flange of the adapter housing defines a SAE C-type hydraulic pump / motor mount (100C) or a SAE D-type hydraulic pump / motor mount (100D); and wherein the machining includes drilling a bolt hole pattern in the adapter housing (104, 106, 108) for the SAE C-type hydraulic pump / motor mount (100C).

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, the machining includes grinding one or more surfaces of a mounting pad for the SAE C-type hydraulic pump / motor mount or the SAE D-type hydraulic pump / motor mount; wherein the machining includes drilling a bolt hole pattern (136) in the component mounting flange for the SAE C-type hydraulic pump / motor mount; and wherein the machining includes grinding one or more surfaces of the component mounting flange to define mounting pads (174, 176, 178) for the SAE C-type hydraulic pump / motor mount.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein, the SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mount (100C, 100D) is a SAE C-type hydraulic pump / motor mount (100C); wherein the component mounting flange (132) of the adapter housing (106) is a complementary SAE C-type hydraulic pump / motor mount; and wherein the component mounting flange (132) of the adapter housing (106) includes one or more features (154, 156, 176, 180) of a SAE D-type hydraulic pump / motor mount.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein, the adapter housing (104, 106, 108) defines a drain pocket (220) having a drain opening (228) configured to interface the interior space with a drain component (230) to direct coolant from a drain port of the electric machine (82) to the drain component (230); wherein the electric machine mounting flange (190) at least partially defines the drain pocket (220) of the adapter housing (104, 106, 108); and wherein the electric machine mounting flange (190) defines an overlay feature (234) configured to enclose a coolant passage of the electric machine (82).

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, the gear set (84) is a planetary gear set having a planet gear (358) mounted to a carrier (356), a ring gear (354), and a sun gear (350); wherein the ring gear (354) is connected for co-rotation with the drive shaft (130, 150), and the sun gear (350) is connected for co-rotation with the shaft (280) of the electric machine (82); wherein the carrier (356) is fixed against rotation relative to the adapter housing (104, 106, 108); and wherein the planetary gear set is configured such that power is transferred with the sun gear inside and the ring gear outside in a first power flow direction, and power is transferred with the ring gear inside and the sun gear outside in a second power flow direction opposite the first power flow direction.

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