ELECTRIC DRIVE WITH HYDRAULIC MOUNTING INTERFACE

Abstract

An electric drive assembly for operation with a work vehicle component using an SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mount includes an electric machine with a shaft and a mounting flange. An adapter housing defines an interior space between a component mounting flange and an electric machine mounting flange. The electric machine mounting flange is sized and configured to mate with the electric machine mounting flange. The component mounting flange has a bolt hole pattern and mounting pad that are complementary in size and configuration to those of the SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mount. A gear set, located at least partially within the interior of the adapter housing, is configured to effect a change in gear ratio and transmit power between the electric machine shaft and a drive shaft.

Description

AREA OF REVELATION

[0001] The invention relates to an electric drive assembly and a method for manufacturing an electric drive assembly. This disclosure generally relates to electric drives for work vehicles, in particular to electric drives configured for replacement with hydraulic components. BACKGROUND OF THE REVELATION

[0002] Various work vehicles used in agriculture, construction, and forestry may have hydraulic drives to power various onboard and offboard components (e.g., clutches, wheel drives, work attachments, etc.). Such work vehicles may also have an electrical system to supply electrical power to various onboard and offboard electrical components and to generate power that can be stored by onboard and / or offboard storage devices.

[0003] DE 10 2017 215 089 A1 describes a hydraulic pump drive comprising a hydraulic block, a power input interface configured to be coupled to a power machine to receive rotational input power, and a plurality of power output interfaces coupled to the power input interface to mechanically transmit the input power from the power machine at a first drive speed. At least one hydraulic pump is mounted at at least one power output interface to be driven by the input power of the power machine. At least one generator is coupled to at least one power output interface to be driven by the input power of the power machine. Further hydraulic power components are described in US 10 228 027 B2.

[0004] US 10 252 609 B2 and JP 2016 - 166 639 A describe drivetrain components with reduction gears. SUMMARY OF THE REVELATION

[0005] The disclosure provides an electric drive assembly for a component of a work vehicle with an SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor input and / or motor output mounting interface.

[0006] The invention is based on the objective of providing an efficient method for the electrification of work vehicles. In one aspect, the invention provides an electric drive assembly for operation with a component of a work vehicle with an SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mount having the features of claim 1.

[0007] In another aspect, the disclosure provides a method for manufacturing an electric drive assembly for operation with a component of a work vehicle with an SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mount having the features of claim 8.

[0008] The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the following description. Other features and advantages will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a simplified perspective view of an exemplary work vehicle combination comprising a towing work vehicle in the form of an agricultural tractor and a towed work implement in the form of a manure spreader, in which an electric drive according to this disclosure may be used; Fig. Figure 2 is a simplified schematic view of an exemplary drive system arrangement for the work attachment and the work vehicle of Fig. 1; Fig. Figure 3A is an isometric view of an exemplary electric drive and an SAE C-compatible hydraulic pump / motor mount; Fig. Figure 3B is an isometric view of another exemplary electric drive and an SAE D-compliant hydraulic pump / motor mount; Fig. Figure 4A is an isometric view of an SAE C-compliant example of an adapter housing for an electric machine for use in the electric drive of Fig. 3A; Fig. Figure 4B is an isometric view of an SAE D-compliant example of an adapter housing for an electric machine for use in the electric drive of Fig. 3B; Fig. 5A is an isometric view of a cast adapter housing before it is inserted into the adapter housing of Fig. 4A is incorporated; Fig. 5B is an isometric view of a cast adapter housing before it is inserted into the adapter housing of Fig. 4B is incorporated; Fig. Figure 6 is an isometric rear view of the adapter housing. Fig. 4A-5B; Fig. Figure 7 is an isometric view of an exemplary electric drive for use in the drive system arrangements of the Fig. 2A-2B and including an adapter housing; Fig. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary electric drive, located in plane 8-8 of Fig. 7 was taken; Fig. Figure 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the exemplary electric drive, shown in plane 9-9 of Fig. 7 was taken; Fig. Figure 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the exemplary drive assembly, which is located in plane 10-10 of Fig. 7 was taken and shows a drainage area and outlet from the gearbox assembly; and Fig. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary gear assembly, located in plane 11-11 of Fig. 7 was taken.

[0009] Identical reference symbols in the different drawings denote the same elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] One or more exemplary embodiments of the disclosed electric drive assembly for a work vehicle are described below, as illustrated in the accompanying figures of the drawings briefly described above. Various modifications of the exemplary embodiments may be considered by those skilled in the field.

[0011] As used herein, lists of elements separated by conjunctive expressions (e.g., "and") and preceded by the phrase "one or more of" or "at least one of" denote configurations or arrangements that may include individual elements of the list or a combination thereof. For example, "at least one of A, B, and C" or "one or more of A, B, and C" denotes the possibilities of only A, only B, only C, or any combination of two or more of A, B, and C (e.g., A and B; B and C; A and C; or A, B, and C).

[0012] Furthermore, the disclosure may include directional and orientation terms such as "downstream," "upstream," "longitudinal," "radial," "axial," "circumferential," "lateral," and "transverse." Such terms are defined, at least in part, in relation to an electrical machine, a channel or circuit for fluid flow, a rotor, a rotating shaft, and / or a stator. As used here, the term "longitudinal" indicates an orientation along the length of the device; the term "lateral" indicates an orientation along a width of the device and orthogonal to the longitudinal orientation; and the term "transverse" indicates an orientation along the height of the device and orthogonal to both the longitudinal and lateral orientations. These orientations may be relative to a work vehicle or the direction of travel of the work vehicle to which the components are attached. OVERVIEW

[0013] Work vehicles can incorporate sophisticated electrical and hydraulic systems that operate various onboard and offboard components and attachments to perform different tasks. Such electrical and hydraulic systems are often driven by a traction motor (e.g., an internal combustion engine, one or more battery-powered electric motors) that provides the tractive force required to propel the work vehicle. To achieve the necessary operating power, hydraulic motors can be used, powered by hydraulic pressure generated by pumps driven by mechanical inputs from the motor. Hydraulic pumps and motors can be coupled to upstream mechanical input power and downstream components that supply them via hydraulic interfaces of various configurations.Some of these mounting interfaces may be application-specific or proprietary mounts with special or non-standard configurations. However, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has standardized certain interfaces for mounting hydraulic pumps and motors, generally ranging from SAE AA to SAE F, each with specific aspects regarding the size and configuration of the rotating shafts and mounting flanges. The SAE standards for hydraulic pumps and motors specify splined or toothed shaft diameters and lengths, as well as the bolt hole patterns of the mounting flanges (hole size and spacing in two- or four-bolt configurations) and the pilot diameters and lengths of the mounting support.

[0014] This disclosure relates to the electrification of typically hydraulically driven components by providing an electric machine and a gear set adapter with one or more SAE standard mounting interfaces. In one aspect of the disclosure, the gear set is configured to provide a gear ratio to mechanically produce a torque and speed output at the gear set adapter that differs from those at the rotating shaft of the electric machine itself. For example, the gear set can provide a lower speed and higher torque output than would otherwise come from the electric machine. Regardless of whether the gear ratio results in a higher or lower speed and torque, its performance characteristics can be configured to meet the power requirements of a driven component.Thus, the electric motor and gear set can provide a replacement for the hydraulic pump and motor, offering the advantage of reduced cost and complexity compared to hydraulic systems and the required pressurized fluid circuit. It also facilitates integration with any electrical system that may lack a motor or other mechanical power source.

[0015] In various embodiments, the gear set can be installed in an adapter housing with an electric motor mounting flange and a component mounting flange. Furthermore, in some examples, the driven work vehicle component has a standard SAE hydraulic pump / motor mount, which is either an SAE C hydraulic pump / motor mount or an SAE D hydraulic pump / motor mount, in which case a component mounting flange of the adapter housing is a complementary SAE C hydraulic pump / motor mount or an SAE D hydraulic pump / motor mount. Other embodiments of the work vehicle component mount and the complementary adapter housing may include SAE CC, SAE E, and / or any other preselected size(s).

[0016] The adapter housing can be an integral component (e.g., a casting) that incorporates one or more features compatible with each of several SAE hydraulic pump / motor mounts. For example, the adapter housing's component mounting flange can be an SAE-C hydraulic pump / motor mount, incorporating a corresponding bolt hole pattern and mounting surface, and the adapter housing's component mounting flange can incorporate one or more features of an SAE-D hydraulic pump / motor mount. The one or more features of an SAE-D hydraulic pump / motor mount include a bolt hole pattern and mounting surface of an SAE-D hydraulic pump / motor mount.The component mounting flange of the adapter housing is designed such that the screw hole pattern and mounting surface of an SAE-D hydraulic pump / motor carrier are spaced apart from the screw hole pattern and mounting surface of an SAE-C hydraulic pump / motor carrier and thus do not interfere with the mounting of the drive with the other carrier.

[0017] As noted above, the disclosure also provides a method for manufacturing an electric drive assembly for operation with a component of a work vehicle with an SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mount, such that initially both an SAE C hydraulic pump / motor mount and an SAE D hydraulic pump / motor mount are included. In certain embodiments, the method involves casting the adapter housing as an integral part with the component mounting flange and the electric motor mounting flange, and machining one or more features of the SAE C hydraulic pump / motor mount and the SAE D hydraulic pump / motor mount. The machining may include drilling a bolt hole pattern into the adapter housing for the SAE C hydraulic pump / motor mount.The machining process involves grinding one or more surfaces of a mounting base for the SAE-C hydraulic pump / motor carrier and / or the SAE-D hydraulic pump / motor carrier.

[0018] In certain embodiments, the electric drive can be configured to operate alternately as a motor, in which power flows from the electric machine into, through, and out of the adapter gear set, and as a generator, in which power flows from the adapter gear set into the electric machine. In further embodiments, the gear set can be a planetary set comprising a ring gear, a sun gear, and planet gears mounted on a carrier. The ring gear can be coupled to the output shaft, and the sun gear can be coupled to the rotor and shaft of the electric machine. The planetary set can thus be configured as sun gear in, ring gear out in the direction of motor power flow, and as ring gear in, sun gear out in the direction of generator power flow. In some configurations, the carrier can be fixed against rotation relative to the adapter housing.

[0019] In further embodiments, the adapter gear set and / or an intermediate housing can accommodate various electric machines mounted in several different orientations that are rotated about a drive axis. The electric machine mounting flange of the adapter housing can define a cover feature configured to seal a coolant channel of the electric machine in one or more of the mounting orientations. The adapter housing (e.g., at least partially through the electric machine mounting flange) can also define a drain channel with a drain opening configured to connect the interior of the adapter housing to a drain component to direct coolant from an electric machine drain to the drain component. The drain channel is positioned so as not to interfere with the installation of the bolts in the bolt holes from the electric machine side of the mounting flange.

[0020] The following describes one or more exemplary implementations of the disclosed electric drive. The explanation contained herein may sometimes focus on the exemplary application of an electric drive assembly in a work vehicle combination to deliver power from a pulling agricultural tractor to a towed implement. However, the disclosed drive can also be used for other types of drive components and work vehicles, including various other construction machines (e.g., bulldozers, motor graders, dump trucks) as well as various other agricultural or forestry machines (e.g., combine harvesters, harvesters, balers, mowers, tractors, forestry tractors, and so on) and utility vehicles. EXAMPLE DESIGNS FOR AN ELECTRIC DRIVE

[0021] Referring to Fig. In some embodiments, the disclosed work vehicle combination 18 comprises 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 manure spreader towed behind the agricultural tractor. However, it is understood that other configurations are possible, including configurations of the work vehicle 20 as a different type of tractor or as a work vehicle used for other aspects of the agricultural industry or for the construction and forestry industries (e.g., a harvester, a wheel loader, a timber skidder, and so on). It is further understood that other work implements can be used, including other towed work implements, front-mounted work implements, onboard devices, and the like.

[0022] In general, the work vehicle 20 includes a drive system 24 that provides and distributes power via the work vehicle train 18. The work vehicle 20 has a main frame or chassis 26, an operator's cab 28, a control system 30, and a hydraulic system 32. The work vehicle 20 and the work attachment 22 can be supported above the ground by ground-engaging wheels, dual wheels, or crawler tracks. In the illustrated example, the work vehicle 20 includes steerable front wheels 34 and rear wheels 36, and the work attachment 22 includes trailer wheels 38. The chassis 26 supports the operator's cab 28, which provides the operator interface and controls (e.g., various joysticks, switches, levers, buttons, touchscreens, keyboards, speakers, and microphones associated with a speech recognition system). As shown in the simplified schematic representation of Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the drive system 24 includes a drive motor, in this example an engine 40, a transmission 42, and an auxiliary drive system 50 with an electric drive 52 to supply power to the working implement 22. The engine 40 can be an internal combustion engine or another suitable power source coupled to drive the work vehicle 20 via the transmission 42 and the wheels 34, 36, and to supply power to various onboard and offboard subsystems, including various electrical and hydraulic components of the work vehicle 20 and the working implement 22.

[0023] The implement 22 in the illustrated example is a manure spreader, which is carried on wheels 38 to be towed behind the work vehicle 20. The implement 22 draws power, at least partially, from the drive system 24 to operate various driven components, such as a sliding flap 60, a drum assembly 62, signal lights 64, and a driven wheel end, including an axle drive gear set 66 and an electric motor 90 (schematically shown in Figure 1). Fig. (2 shown) for each wheel 38. The axle drive gear set 66 can be any suitable gear arrangement for rotating the wheels 38 at a desired speed and torque, including, for example, a simple or complex planetary gear set with an input element configured to be driven by the electric motor 90 and an output element coupled to the wheel hub (not shown) of the associated wheel 38. In use, the manure spreading implement 22 is pulled behind the agricultural tractor work vehicle 20. In a crop field, the drum assembly 62 rotates to cube and spread the manure behind the implement 22. The push flap 60 is driven rearward in direction R to feed manure to the drum assembly 62 through a retractable piston (not shown). The driven wheel ends would typically be hydraulically driven (e.g.,via the hydraulic system 32). Hydraulic power can also drive the rotary motion of the drum assembly 62 and / or the linear motion of the sliding flap 60.

[0024] In general, the engine 40 can provide mechanical power that is converted into an electrical format to operate the electronics of the control system 30 and one or more electric drives 52 of the work vehicle 20. The control system 30 can thus include mechanical-to-electrical power conversion components 70, one or more batteries 72, and associated electronics, including various alternators, generators, voltage regulators, rectifiers, inverters, and the like. The electric drive(s) of the work vehicle can also include corresponding inverters and the like for proper power conversion and delivery to components.The motor 40 can also provide mechanical power that is converted into a hydraulic format to drive various pumps and compressors that pressurize fluid to drive various actuators of the hydraulic system 32 to power components of the work vehicle 20, such as the towed work attachment 22, the steering and braking of the wheels, an onboard work attachment (not shown), or the like. The hydraulic system 32 can be coupled to and operated by the control system 30 in response to commands from an operator input device (e.g., operator controls, operator display device, etc.) in the cab 28 or remotely from the work vehicle 20. The hydraulic system 32 can drive other components (e.g., valves, flow lines, pistons / cylinders, seals / gaskets, etc.).) include, so that the control of various devices can be carried out with and based on hydraulic, mechanical or other signals and movements.

[0025] The control system 30 can be configured as a computing device with associated processor devices and memory architectures, as a hard-wired computing circuit (or circuits), as a programmable circuit, or as a hydraulic, electrical, or electrohydraulic control system. The control system 30 can be configured to perform various computer-based functions and control functions with respect to the work vehicle 20, including various devices associated with the drive 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 command signals in various formats (e.g., hydraulic signals, voltage signals, current signals, etc.) and to output command signals in various formats (e.g., hydraulic signals, voltage signals, current signals, mechanical movements such as rotation, etc.).The control system 30 is configured to operate various aspects of the disclosed electric drive 52, which may form part of the drive system 24 or part of another subsystem of the work vehicle 20.

[0026] An exemplary arrangement of the drive system 24 and the auxiliary drive system 50 is shown in Fig. Figure 2 shows in more detail the provision of power from the electric drive 52 to the work attachment 22 to replace hydraulic power. In this example, certain components of the auxiliary drive system 50 are arranged on board the work vehicle 20 to be compatible with a hydraulic pump manifold 80. The hydraulic pump manifold 80 receives mechanical power from the transmission and transmits this power to one or more auxiliary outputs (e.g., via an internal transmission linkage / linkages). The hydraulic pump manifold 80 can have a single output or multiple outputs. The electric drive 52 is defined by an electric machine 82 (e.g., a permanent magnet motor) and a gear set 84, which are coupled as a unit to operate as a motor or generator.In the illustrated example, the electric drive 52 operates as a generator, with the gear set 84 of the electric drive 52 mechanically coupled to an output of the hydraulic pump manifold 80 to transmit torque. The electric drive 52 is thus connected to the hydraulic pump manifold 80 to replace hydraulic power with electrical power. The gear set 84 then transmits mechanical power to the electric machine 82 of the electric drive 52, which generates direct current (DC) electrical power. An inverter 88 converts the electrical energy (e.g., converts direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC)) to transmit it to one or more electric motors 90 on the working attachment 22. In the illustrated example, four electric motors 90 are provided, one at each of the wheels 38, to power the axle drive gear sets 66.The combination of the electric drive 52, the inverter 88, and the electric motors 90 forms a motor unit that replaces a hydraulic pump and motor in typical arrangements. This replacement of hydraulic components with electric components can provide various cost and efficiency improvements for the operation of the work vehicle 20.

[0027] Referring also to the Fig. 3A and Fig. Figure 3B shows an exemplary electric drive 52 for mounting on a corresponding hydraulic pump / motor mount, which is an SAE-C hydraulic pump / motor mount 100C or an SAE-D hydraulic pump / motor mount 100D. The electric drive 52 includes the electric machine 82 (e.g., a motor) with an adapter housing 104 (e.g., an SAE-C adapter housing 106 or an SAE-D adapter housing 108) with a complementary predetermined configuration for connecting and mounting on the hydraulic pump / motor mount 100C, 100D. The illustrated hydraulic pump / motor mount 100C, 100D can be provided at various locations on the work vehicle 20 or the work equipment 22 where the electric drive 52 can be implemented.In particular, the hydraulic pump / motor mount 100C, 100D includes a plurality of screw holes 110C, 110D, which in certain examples may be a screw hole pattern of two or four screw holes 110C, 110D, accommodating screws 112C, 112D for securely connecting the electric drive 52. The SAE C or D hydraulic pump / motor mount 100C, 100D includes one or more features arranged in a predetermined pattern, including a plurality of screw holes 110C, 110D in a screw hole pattern 114C, 114D with a circular mounting pad 116C, 116D recessed in the screw hole pattern 114C, 114D. A shaft receptacle 118C, 118D has an opening 120C, 120D for a drive shaft 130, 150 of the electric drive 52.The shaft receptacle 118C, 118D features complementary structures such as splined teeth for interlocking with splined teeth on the drive shaft 130, 150 for rotation and efficient transmission of torque.

[0028] The adapter housing 104 of the electric drive 52 provides a component mounting flange 132 with complementary structures of predetermined dimensions for coupling with the hydraulic pump / motor mount 100C or 100D. For example, the predetermined dimensions are an SAE standard for either an SAE-C hydraulic pump / motor mount or an SAE-D hydraulic pump / motor mount. Specifically, the component mounting flange 132 includes a complementary arrangement of a mounting base and a plurality of screw holes. In the SAE-C arrangement of Fig. 3A defines a mounting base 134 with an inner diameter X C of 6.35 cm (2.5 inches), an outer diameter A Cof 12.7 cm (5.0 inches) and a depth W C of 1.27 cm (0.5 in). A multitude of screw holes 136 for the screws 138 are arranged in a four-screw pattern, with the screw holes 136 in a square with a length S C The sequential screw holes 136 are arranged 11.43 cm (4.5 in) center-to-center. The drive shaft 130 extends through an opening 140 in the mounting base 134 and is designed according to the SAE-C standard, including a shaft diameter of DS SAE C standard dimensions. The SAE C standard for drive shafts includes variations in length, thread, spline, and shape (straight, tapered). In the SAE D arrangement of Fig. 3B The component mounting flange 132 includes a mounting base 154 which has an inner diameter X D of 6.985 cm (2.75 inches), an outer diameter A D of 15.24 cm (6.0 inches) and a depth W Ddefined by 1.27 cm (0.5 in). A multitude of screw holes 156 for the screws 158 are arranged in a four-screw pattern with screw holes 156 arranged in a square with a length S D The bolt holes 156 are arranged 16.16456 cm (6.364 in) from center to center. Similar to the previous example, the drive shaft 150 extends through the opening 160 of the mounting base 154 and has a diameter DS according to the SAE-D standard. D dimensioned and includes variations in wavelength, splined gearing, thread and shape (e.g. straight, conical). In addition, the adapter housing has 108 clearance areas 162 ( Fig. 4B, Fig. 5B, Fig. 6), which are arranged at the four corners of the component mounting flange 152 to accommodate lateral installation of the screws 158 in the corresponding screw holes 156 between the mounting flange 152 and the inner wall 204 of the adapter housing 108 in the SAE-D mounting configuration.

[0029] The adapter housing 104 of the illustrated examples can be obtained from an integral raw metal part, for example a raw casting 170, as in the Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B is shown as dotted surfaces. Using a single raw casting 170 for multiple adapter housing applications reduces parts inventory and the associated manufacturing costs for multiple adapter housing applications. To provide the desired final part, material is machined from a base flange 172 of the raw casting 170 (e.g., by milling, ablation, grinding, or the like) until the component mounting surface 134, 154 of the specific adapter housing 106, 108 has the desired dimensions, such as those according to the SAE C or SAE D standard. In this form, the base flange 172 includes an inner support 174, an outer support 176, an inner bolting area 178, and an outer bolting area 180 with slots that define the bolt holes 156.In this way, a raw casting 170 is produced, which can be finished to either an SAE-C or an SAE-D arrangement of the desired adapter housing 106, 108. Accordingly, the raw casting 170 is an integral component with one or more features (e.g., screw holes, mounting surfaces, and the like) for each of several SAE hydraulic pump / motor mounts 100C, 100D.

[0030] The surfaces of the final adapter housing 104, which are machined after casting, are in the Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B is represented as dotted surfaces. The machining process achieves the desired SAE standard arrangement (shape, dimensions, etc.). See also: Fig. 4A, for the mounting flange 132 of the SAE-C component, the inner surface 174 of the raw casting 170 is ground down to form the mounting surface 134, and the screw holes 136 are drilled to the predetermined standard size and pattern. The inner screw area 178 is also machined, thereby eliminating the outer surface 176 of the raw casting 170. The outer screw area 180 must not be machined, although it is not used in the SAE-C application because it does not impede the SAE-C application. (See also...) Fig. 4B, to form the SAE-D component mounting flange 152, the inner base 174 of the raw casting 170 is removed by machining, the surfaces of the outer base 176 are ground to form the mounting surface 154, and the outer screw area 180 is ground. The slots defining the screw holes 156 can also be drilled or machined to precisely conform to the predetermined standard size and pattern. It is understood that the majority of the adapter housing 104 is not machined for a specific application but is shared by both applications. It is also noted that areas of the raw casting 170, unlike those in the Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B may have been shown, modified or otherwise surface-treated.

[0031] Referring also to the Fig. 6 and Fig. The adapter housing 104 has an electric motor mounting flange 190 at one end opposite the component mounting flange 132, 152. This flange is dimensioned to fit (directly or indirectly) with a housing of the electric motor 192, for example, by means of screws 194. In the illustrated example, the electric motor mounting flange 190 attaches to an intermediate housing 196, which is subsequently attached to the housing of the electric motor 192. The electric motor mounting flange 190 of the adapter housing 104 includes an annular wall 200 with mounting screw holes 202, which accommodate the screws 194 for mounting to the intermediate housing 196. The intermediate housing 196 is then mounted to the electric motor 82 by means of a plurality of screws 203.The screws 194 are arranged symmetrically around the circumference of the adapter housing 104 and the intermediate housing 196, allowing for multiple mounting positions that can be rotated relative to each other. Similarly, the plurality of screws 203 are arranged symmetrically around the circumference of the intermediate housing 196 and the electric machine 82, allowing for multiple mounting positions that can be rotated relative to each other. In one example, the electric machine 82 can be rotated 180 degrees about a drive axis D (. Fig. 8), to be attached to the intermediate housing 196.

[0032] An inner wall 204 of the adapter housing 104 extends radially inward from the electric 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. Conical walls 208 connect the component mounting flange 132, 152 to the electric motor mounting flange 190. Accordingly, the clearance areas 162 are defined by the inner surface 204, the conical walls 208, and the component mounting flange 132, 152. The conical walls 208 extend over an axial distance and are located at a radially inner position with respect to the outer circumference of the component mounting flange 132, 152 to allow manual insertion of the screws 156, with the screw heads being engaged between the inner wall 204 and the component mounting flange 132, 152.This allows the screws 156 to be screwed into the screw holes 110D of the hydraulic pump / motor mount 100D in the SAE-D mounting configuration. The clearance areas 162 also provide space for tools (e.g., a wrench) to be coupled to the screw heads in order to tighten the screws 156 during the installation of the electric drive 52.

[0033] The adapter housing 104 also defines an interior 210 within the annular wall 200. The gearbox 84 is at least partially located within the interior 210. The adapter housing 104 additionally serves to collect and conduct flows of used coolant from the electric drive 52. The annular wall 200 of the electric motor mounting flange 190 of the adapter housing 104 defines a drain channel 220 in a box flange 222, extending from an open section 224 of the annular wall 200. The open section 224 conveys used coolant flowing from the gear set 84. The box flange 222 includes an inlet opening 226 on an axial surface thereof for conveying used coolant from the electric machine 82 via the intermediate housing 196. The drain shaft 220 has a drain opening 228 for directing used coolant to a drain component 230 of the electric drive 52.Diametrically, the adapter housing includes a flat flange 232 opposite the housing flange 222 and the inlet port 226, with a cover feature 234, which is generally circular. Alternatively, if the electric motor 82 and / or the intermediate housing 196 are mounted in a position rotated 180 degrees about the drive axis D, the cover feature 234 blocks the corresponding coolant flow from the intermediate housing 196.

[0034] Referring to the details of the exemplary electrical machine 82 and also referring to Fig. The housing of the electric machine 192 has a generally hollow, annular (e.g., cylindrical) shape with an outer circumferential surface 250 extending around the drive axis D from a first axial end (e.g., a drive end 252) to a second axial end (e.g., a non-drive end 254). The drive end 252 may include one or more mounting flanges 256 with a plurality of mounting holes 258 for fastening (e.g., via the screws 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 housing of the electric machine 192 for various purposes, such as supplying power from the drive system 24 or the batteries 72 and providing a wired electrical connection to the control system 30.An end section 262 of the housing of the electric machine 192 is also a hollow ring-shaped form that axially surrounds the non-drive end 254.

[0035] The electric machine 82 of the illustrated example is a permanent magnet motor comprising a stator 270 and a rotor 272. The stator 270 includes a core 274 arranged in an annular shape coaxially with the rotor 272 and which may be formed from a solid core material, a plurality of stacked laminations, or a split core material. The stator 270 further includes wire coils 276 positioned radially in (e.g., wound around) inner sections of the core 274 and configured to induce an electric current when the rotor 272 rotates. The wire coils 276 may include axial end windings 278 extending axially beyond the core 274.

[0036] 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 housing 192 of the electric machine by one or more bearings, for example, roller bearing assemblies 282, mounted close to the drive end 252 and the non-drive end 254, respectively. The rotor shaft 280 can be formed in one piece as a single integral part extending axially beyond the housing of the electric machine 192 to couple with the gear set 84, or it can be a subassembly with two or more parts. The rotor 272 also includes a rotor core 284 mounted for common 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 generating a magnetic field.The permanent magnets are spaced apart in the circumferential direction around the drive axis D and arranged with alternating polarities, so that a rotation past the wire coils 276 of the stator 270 induces an alternating magnetic field.

[0037] The electrical machine housing 192 includes a cooling circuit 290 that supplies coolant (e.g., liquid oil) to both the electrical machine 82 and the gear set 84 from a single source, coolant inlet 292. Generally, various parts and sections of the electrical machine 82 can be heat-generating sources during operation. To accommodate the coolant inlet 292, the housing of the electrical machine 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 inlet opening 296 for supplying coolant to the cooling circuit 290, which is the sole source of directed coolant for both the electrical machine 82 and the gear set 84. The housing of the electrical machine 192 has a coolant outlet opening 298 at the drive end 252, formed in one of the mounting flanges 256.The coolant outlet port 298 is in fluid communication with the coolant inlet port 296. The coolant outlet port 298 fluidically couples the electric motor 82 to the matching gear set 84 at a threshold 300 between the components, thus enabling a common coolant supply without separate piping, fittings, etc. A matching interface coolant channel 302 of the intermediate housing 196 is positioned at the threshold 300 to receive coolant from the coolant outlet port 298 and convey coolant to carrier coolant channels 303 for distributing coolant around the gear set 84. The cooling circuit 290 is therefore a combined cooling circuit without external hoses or lines to supply coolant between the electric motor 82 and the gear set 84. Instead, the flow is contained within the housing of the electric motor 192, the intermediate housing 196, and the adapter housing 104.In particular, the coolant flows in series from an electrical machine section 304 of the cooling circuit 290 to a gear set section 306 of the cooling circuit 290 by flowing through suitable coolant channels (coolant outlet channel 298 and interface coolant channel 302) at the threshold 300 of the electrical machine housing 192 and the intermediate housing 196.

[0038] The housing of the electric machine 192 of the exemplary electric drive 52 includes coolant channels 310 for supplying a flow of coolant fluid through the electric machine 82, this flow being generally referred to as the electric machine section 304 of the cooling circuit 290. The coolant channels 310 can be formed integrally as a single part of the housing of the electric machine 192. The end section 262 of the housing of the electric machine 192 can also have coolant channels 310 formed therein. The coolant channels 310 include the coolant inlet opening 296 for receiving the coolant inlet 292 and the coolant outlet opening 298 for providing a coolant outlet to the gear set 84. The electric machine section 304 can be subdivided into a stator supply circuit 312 and a rotor supply circuit 314, which are formed at least partially by the coolant channels 310.In the illustrated example, a channel cross-section 316 is positioned downstream of the coolant inlet opening 296 to split the flow in three directions: to the gear set section 306 via the coolant outlet opening 298, to the stator supply circuit 312 via coiled coolant channels 318, and to the rotor supply circuit 314 via an external axial channel 320. The rate of coolant flow to these various channels can be metered or otherwise controlled by openings, nozzles, or the like (not shown). It should be noted that the intersection 316, together with the intermediate flange 294, can be positioned at any axial location along the housing of the electric machine 192 between the drive end 252 and the non-drive end 254.Used coolant from the electrical machine section 304 can passively flow to the drive end 252 to drain as a discharge flow D1 through the intermediate housing 196, or passively flow to the non-drive end 254 to flow through a drain line 322 in the drain component 230. The used coolant collected in the drain component can then be returned (via various pumps, lines, and fittings) to a hydraulic reservoir or tank 324, as shown schematically in Figure 1. Fig. 8 shown.

[0039] The stator supply circuit 312 of the electrical machine section 304 initially extends around the circumference of the housing of the electrical machine 192, with the coiled coolant channels 318 in several branches that are axially spaced apart. The coiled coolant channels 318 are formed on an inner circumferential surface 330 of the housing of the electrical machine 192. In the illustrated example, coolant flows from the coolant inlet 292 through the intersection 316 to the coiled coolant channels 318 in the stator supply circuit 312.As shown, coolant flows in the coiled coolant channels 318 around a large portion of the circumference of the inner circumferential surface 330 of the housing of the electric machine 192 in an axially central region of the housing. The coiled coolant channels 318 then branch in both axial directions so that coolant flows around a large portion of the circumference of the inner circumferential surface 330 near the drive end 252 and the non-drive end 254. In this arrangement, the coolant flow through the coiled coolant channels 318 is in physical contact with an outer circumference of the core 274 of the stator 270 for direct convective cooling. In the illustrated example with three branches of the coiled coolant channels 318, a substantial contact area is provided between the coolant in the stator supply circuit 312 and the core 274, resulting in substantial cooling.The coiled coolant channels 318 can then be connected to one or more spray rings (not shown) for spraying coolant to the axial end windings 278 of the wire coils 276 of the stator 270.

[0040] The rotor supply circuit 314 is arranged to transfer a section of the coolant inlet 292 from the coolant inlet opening 296 to and through the parts of the rotor 272. The rotor supply circuit 314 initially extends axially from the intersection 316 through the outer axial channel 320 towards the non-drive end 254 of the electric machine 82. Subsequently, a radial end channel 332 extends from the non-drive end 254 ( Fig. 7) radially inwards in the direction of the rotor 272. An axial coolant channel 334 ( Fig. 8) extends through the rotor shaft 280 and along the drive axis D. The axial coolant channel 334 can provide coolant as wedge lubricant at the drive end 252 for coupling with the gear set 84.

[0041] The rotor supply circuit 314 branches off from the axial coolant channel 334 to supply coolant to and through the rotor core 284. Specifically, one or more radial channels 336 intersect the axial coolant channel 334 and extend into the rotor core 284. Further from the one or more radial channels 336, the rotor core 284 includes axial coolant channels 338 to allow the coolant to flow in both axial directions. The axial coolant channels 338 are circumferentially intersected between the permanent magnets to deliver coolant axially through the rotor core 284 and between the plurality of rotor laminations. The rotor supply circuit 314 can also provide coolant channels for the roller bearing assemblies 282 via one or more radial bearing channels 340.

[0042] For the rotor supply circuit 314 of the illustrated example, the coolant flow from the coolant inlet 292 passes through the intersection 316 into the outer axial channel 320. Coolant then flows radially inwards through the radial end channel 332 and onwards to the axial coolant channel 334 of the rotor shaft 280. In the axial coolant channel 334, coolant flows axially towards the drive end 252, while also branching off radially through the one or more radial channels 336 and the one or more radial bearing channels 340. From the one or more radial channels 336, the coolant flow branches off in both axial directions through the axial coolant channel 338, passing through the rotor core 284 and outwards to drain at both the drive end (via the intermediate housing 196 as outlet D1). Fig. 10) and at the non-drive end 254 (via line 322 as outflow D4).

[0043] With reference also to the Fig. 8 and Fig. Figure 11 shows the internal structure of the electric drive 52 in detail, including the gear set 84, which is at least partially contained within 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 within the interior 210. In the illustrated example, the gear set 84 is a planetary gear set comprising 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 a radially inner section of the intermediate housing 196 and is therefore not rotatable, while it supports the one or more planet gears 352 for rotation about a rotational axis of the sun gear 350. The axis of rotation of the sun gear 350 in the illustrated example is the same as the drive axis D of the drive shaft 130, 150 and the rotor shaft 280 of the electric drive 52.The ring gear 354 includes a bevel gear 358, which is an annular disk extending from a toothed or toothed outer diameter that meshes with the ring gear 354 to a toothed or toothed inner diameter that meshes with the drive shaft 130, 150 of the electric drive 52. In the illustrated example, the ring gear 354 has two toothed sections 360 and 362 with different numbers of teeth and / or configurations, wherein the toothed section 360 of the ring gear is configured to mesh with teeth of the planet gears 352, and the toothed section 362 is configured to mesh with the teeth on the outer diameter of the bevel gear 358. The different number of teeth / configurations of the toothed areas 360 and 362 enable the ring gear 354 to interact with the planet gears 352 and the ring gear 358 at different transmission ratios.In some cases, however, the ring gear 354 may have a single toothed or toothed section through its inner diameter that meshes with the planet gears 352 and the ring gear 358 in a common ratio. The ring gear 358 is captive held between a shoulder 364 of the ring gear 354 and a retaining ring 366, which fits into an annular groove 368 on the inner diameter of the ring gear 354 within the toothed section 362. The drive shaft 130, 150 is supported for rotation relative to the adapter housing 104 by one or more bearings, for example, by the roller bearing assembly 370.

[0044] In the illustrated embodiment, the carrier 356 is formed integrally with the intermediate housing 196 (e.g., formed from the same material at the same time by the same process). Specifically, the carrier 356 is an annular, disk-like section of the intermediate housing 196 that extends radially inward from an annular circumferential wall 372, which extends axially, both of them extending around the drive axis D. The carrier includes pinion shafts or spindles (not shown) that extend axially from the annular disk to mount the planet gears 352. Therefore, the carrier 356 of the gear set 84 not only serves to adjust the gear ratio of the gear set 84 but also acts as a section of the intermediate housing 196 and may also include carrier coolant channels 303 that form part of the gear set section 306 of the cooling circuit 290.

[0045] The intermediate housing 196 connects to the electric machine 82 to securely attach the gear set 84 to the electric machine 82. A variety of mounting flanges 374 ( Fig. 7) extends from the circumferential wall 372 of the intermediate housing 196, each mounting flange 374 having a mounting hole (not shown) for receiving fasteners, such as the screws 194 attached to the electric machine 82. A double flange 376 ( Fig. 9) of the intermediate housing 196 extends similarly from the circumferential wall 372 and includes both a mounting hole and the interface coolant channel 302. The mounting flanges 374 and corresponding holes are evenly spaced around the circumference of the intermediate housing 196. Due to this symmetrical arrangement, the intermediate housing 196 can be mounted in different orientations, as required for coupling with the electric machine 82. Likewise, the symmetrical arrangement of the screws 203 allows the intermediate housing to be mounted in different orientations relative to the adapter housing 104.

[0046] Referring also to Fig. Figure 10 shows the various drain flows to the drain component 230 in detail. Generally, various components of the electric drive 52, including the electric motor 82 and the gear set 84, are supplied with a coolant (e.g., pressurized oil or the like) that flows in the cooling circuit 290. This coolant eventually flows to several sections 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 D1 collects from the electric motor in the intermediate housing 196 and exits through an outlet channel 380 (shown with dashed lines) to the inlet port 226 of the drain shaft 220 of the adapter housing 104.A gear set drain stream D2 flows along a recessed area 382 in the support 356 of the intermediate housing 196 through the open section 224 to collect in the drain shaft 220. These streams combine as a drain shaft stream D3, which enters the drain component 230. A non-drive end stream D4 from the electric machine 82 enters through the drain line 322 to reach the drain component 230. In the alternative example, where the electric machine 82 is rotated 180 degrees about the drive axis D, the cover feature 234 blocks (. Fig. 6) of the adapter housing 104 the outlet channel 380 of the intermediate housing 196. Used coolant that collects in the drain component 230 can be actively or passively cooled while being directed to the coolant inlet opening 296 of the electric machine 82 for redistribution over the entire electric drive 52.

[0047] Fig. Figure 11 illustrates the power flow within the electric drive 52, which reflects a generator mode. In generator mode, the motor 40 provides the power source, which is coupled via the hydraulic pump / motor mount 100C, 100D, supplying mechanical power to the electric drive 52. The rotation of the hydraulic pump / motor mount 100C, 100D is transmitted to the drive shaft 130, 150, which rotates with and drives the ring gear 358 and the ring gear 354, which in turn drive the rotation of the planet gears 352. The mount 356 remains stationary, and thus the planet gears 352 drive the rotation of the sun gear 350. The sun gear 350 is connected to the rotor shaft 280 of the electric machine 82, and the resulting rotation of the permanent magnets in the rotor 272 induces a current in the wire coils 276 of the stator 270.Accordingly, in generator mode, the gear set 84 provides a ring gear in, sun gear out configuration that transfers power through the electric machine 82 along the path indicated by the arrows in . Fig. 11 is specified, where the electric machine 82 converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.

[0048] The electric drive of the present disclosure can also be implemented in a drive mode, for example, when operated as a motor on a wheel final drive. The gear arrangement and the connections of the gear set can remain the same in the drive mode, including the support, which is fixed against rotation (i.e., grounded). The power flow in the drive mode is in the opposite axial direction to that of the generator mode, as illustrated in Fig. 11, beginning with the electric machine, which acts as a motor that outputs mechanical rotational power. The electric machine can be excited due to a previous power generation mode or selectively excited via another source such as the battery 72. When excited, electric current induces rotation of the rotor's permanent magnets in the wire coils of the stator, and thus rotation of the rotor shaft. The rotor shaft engages with the sun gear of the planetary gear set in the gear set, driving the planet gears to rotate. Since the carrier is fixed, the planet gears are unable to rotate within the ring gear 354, and therefore the rotation of the planet gears drives the rotation of the ring gear. The ring gear rotates with the bevel gear and the output shaft, outputting mechanical power (e.g., rotation) to the hydraulic pump / motor carrier for transmission to another component of the working vehicle.Accordingly, in drive mode, the gear set provides a sun gear-in, ring gear-out configuration, with the electric machine converting electrical energy into mechanical energy.

[0049] As another exemplary arrangement, not shown, the auxiliary drive system can be located entirely outside the work vehicle. In certain examples, the towed work implements are a seed wagon that provides a mass supply (e.g., seed) to a seed drill. The seed wagon could have a hydraulic system with a hydraulic pump / motor mount in which the electric drive of the present disclosure is mounted to supply power to one or more components of the seed wagon. This component could be a wheel final drive similar to the Fig.2, a driven axle, or other features of the seed drill. Additionally or alternatively, components of the auxiliary drive system, including the hydraulic pump / motor mount and the disclosed electric drive, can be arranged on the seed drill to electrically drive, for example, a folding spreader vane, a positionable tiller / knife, and so on. The electric drive can be mounted on a hydraulic pump manifold to receive mechanical power from the transmission (e.g., via a power take-off (PTO) shaft) and can transmit this power to one or more auxiliary outputs (e.g., via an internal transmission cable / cables). The gear set of the electric drive can be mechanically coupled to an output of the hydraulic pump manifold to transmit torque.In this arrangement, the hydraulic pump manifold drives the rotation of the gear set, which in turn rotates the electric machine acting as a generator, thus converting mechanical power into electrical power. The inverter converts the electrical power into alternating current, which is then fed to the second electric machine that drives the driven component. These components can therefore be physically carried by one of the towed vehicles and operated using primary hydraulic power from the towing vehicle.

[0050] The electric drive described in this disclosure can be installed at various locations on a work vehicle or work attachment and can provide the functionality of a motor, a generator, or a reversible motor / generator. The electric drive can replace various types of hydraulic pump / motor arrangements. In certain cases, pressurized hydraulic fluid can be supplied via a power take-off (PTO) shaft, or in other cases, via separate hydraulic lines. The hydraulic system can be a single hydraulic power source that distributes hydraulic power throughout the work vehicle rig. It can also include primary and secondary hydraulic power sources, with the secondary hydraulic power source being supplied by the primary hydraulic power source and physically located remotely from it on the same or a different vehicle in the work vehicle rig.The working implement can thus be hydraulically driven by the primary hydraulic power source or a combination of primary and secondary hydraulic power sources, and either through hydraulic fluid connections or mechanical links to the driven component. The mechanical power can be connected either directly to the driven component or through an intermediate mechanical link (e.g., the power take-off shaft) between the hydraulic power source and the driven component. Thus, hydraulic power can be converted directly into electrical power or first into mechanical power and then into electrical power. The electric drive can provide electrification to a carrier associated with any of these hydraulic system arrangements.Mounting points for the electric drive adapter housing can be designed to conform to SAE standards for hydraulic carriers, even if such mounting points are not intended for a hydraulic pump / motor, to enable interoperability with the exemplary electric drive. This allows the electric drive to connect to various subsystems or components of the work vehicle, such as a gear assembly of a pump drive. In other implementations, the electric drive can connect to other components, such as an engine flywheel damper, a mechanical connection to an engine shaft, or other auxiliary components of the work vehicle.It is also noted that other types of gear sets are applicable to the present disclosure in order to provide a similar reduction ratio between the electric drive and the connected subsystem / component. LISTING OF EXAMPLES OF ELECTRIC DRIVES

[0051] Furthermore, the following examples are provided, which are numbered for ease of reference.

[0052] 1. An electric drive assembly for operation with a component of a work vehicle with an SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mount, wherein the electric drive assembly comprises: an electric machine with a shaft and a mounting flange; an adapter housing defining an interior space between a component mounting flange and an electric machine mounting flange, wherein the electric machine mounting flange is dimensioned and configured to fit the mounting flange of the electric machine, wherein the component mounting flange has a bolt hole pattern and mounting surface, each having a complementary size and configuration to that of the SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mount;and a gear set that is at least partially located and configured within the interior of the adapter housing to effect a change in the gear ratio and to transmit power between the shaft of the electric machine and a drive shaft.

[0053] 2. The drive assembly according to Example 1, wherein the SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mount is an SAE C hydraulic pump / motor mount or an SAE D hydraulic pump / motor mount; and wherein the component mounting flange of the adapter housing is a complementary SAE C hydraulic pump / motor mount or an SAE D hydraulic pump / motor mount.

[0054] 3. The drive assembly according to Example 1, wherein the SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mount is an SAE C hydraulic pump / motor mount; wherein the component mounting flange of the adapter housing is a complementary SAE C hydraulic pump / motor mount incorporating a corresponding bolt hole pattern and mounting pad; and wherein the component mounting flange of the adapter housing incorporates one or more features of an SAE D hydraulic pump / motor mount.

[0055] 4. The drive assembly according to Example 3, wherein one or more features of an SAE-D hydraulic pump / motor mount include a bolt hole pattern and a mounting surface of an SAE-D hydraulic pump / motor mount; and wherein the bolt hole pattern and mounting surface of an SAE-D hydraulic pump / motor mount are spaced apart from the bolt hole pattern and mounting surface of an SAE-C hydraulic pump / motor mount.

[0056] 5. The drive assembly according to Example 1, wherein the adapter housing is cast as an integral component having one or more features for each of several SAE hydraulic pump / motor mounts.

[0057] 6. The drive assembly according to Example 1, wherein the adapter housing defines a drain channel with a drain opening configured to connect the interior to a drain component to direct coolant from an electric machine drain to the drain component; wherein the electric machine mounting flange defines at least part of the adapter housing drain channel; and wherein the electric machine mounting flange defines a cover feature configured to seal the electric machine coolant channel.

[0058] 7. The drive assembly according to Example 1, wherein the gear set is a planetary set comprising a ring gear, a sun gear and planet gears mounted on a carrier; and wherein the ring gear is coupled to rotate with the drive shaft and the sun gear is coupled to rotate with the shaft of the electric machine; wherein the carrier is fixed against rotation with respect to the adapter housing.

[0059] 8. The drive assembly according to Example 7, wherein the electric machine is configured to operate alternatively as a motor in a first power flow direction and as a generator in a second power flow direction opposite to the first power flow direction; and wherein the planetary set is configured as sun gear in, ring gear out in the first power flow direction and ring gear in, sun gear out in the second power flow direction.

[0060] 9. A method for manufacturing an electric drive assembly for operation with a component of a work vehicle with an SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mount, wherein the method comprises: providing an electric machine with a shaft and a mounting flange; forming an adapter housing that defines an interior space between a component mounting flange and an electric machine mounting flange, wherein the electric machine mounting flange is sized and configured to fit the mounting flange of the electric machine, wherein the component mounting flange has a bolt hole pattern and mounting surface that each have a complementary size and configuration to that of the SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mount; mounting the electric machine mounting flange to the electric machine mounting flange of the adapter housing;and installing a gear set at least partially inside the adapter housing to couple the electric machine shaft to a drive shaft, the gear set being configured to effect a change in the transmission ratio and to transmit power between the electric machine shaft and the drive shaft.

[0061] 10. The method according to Example 9, wherein the SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mount is an SAE C hydraulic pump / motor mount or an SAE D hydraulic pump / motor mount; and wherein the component mounting flange of the adapter housing is a complementary SAE C hydraulic pump / motor mount or SAE D hydraulic pump / motor mount.

[0062] 11. The method according to Example 10, wherein the forming of the adapter housing includes casting the adapter housing as an integral part with the component mounting flange and the electric motor mounting flange; and further comprising machining one or more features of the SAE-C hydraulic pump / motor mount and the SAE-D hydraulic pump / motor mount; wherein the machining includes drilling a bolt hole pattern into the adapter housing for the SAE-C hydraulic pump / motor mount; and wherein the machining includes grinding one or more surfaces of a mounting surface for the SAE-C hydraulic pump / motor mount or the SAE-D hydraulic pump / motor mount.

[0063] 12. The method according to Example 10, wherein the SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mount is an SAE C hydraulic pump / motor mount; wherein the component mounting flange of the adapter housing is a complementary SAE C hydraulic pump / motor mount; and wherein the component mounting flange of the adapter housing incorporates one or more features of an SAE D hydraulic pump / motor mount.

[0064] 13. The method according to Example 12, wherein the forming of the adapter housing includes casting the adapter housing as an integral part with the component mounting flange and the electric motor mounting flange; and further comprising machining one or more features of the SAE-C hydraulic pump / motor mount and the SAE-D hydraulic pump / motor mount; wherein the machining includes drilling a bolt hole pattern into the adapter housing for the SAE-C hydraulic pump / motor mount; and wherein the machining includes grinding one or more surfaces of a mounting surface for the SAE-C hydraulic pump / motor mount.

[0065] 14. The method according to Example 9, wherein the adapter housing defines a drain channel with a drain opening configured to connect the interior to a drain component in order to direct coolant from a drain of the electric machine to the drain component; wherein the mounting flange of the electric machine defines at least part of the drain channel of the adapter housing; and wherein the mounting flange of the electric machine defines a cover feature configured to seal a coolant channel of the electric machine.

[0066] 15. The method according to Example 14, wherein the gear set is a planetary gear set comprising a ring gear, a sun gear and planet gears mounted on a carrier; wherein the ring gear is coupled to rotate with the drive shaft and the sun gear is coupled to rotate with the shaft of the electric machine; wherein the carrier is fixed against rotation with respect to the adapter housing; and wherein the planetary gear set is configured to transmit power as sun gear in, ring gear out in a first power flow direction and as ring gear in, sun gear out in a second power flow direction opposite to the first power flow direction. DIPLOMA

[0067] The examples discussed above lead to a multitude of advantages of the disclosed electric drive. For instance, the electric drive can replace a hydraulic pump / motor assembly with significantly fewer parts and installation steps, thereby saving time and costs. The electric drive is readily adaptable to a variety of onboard or offboard implementations of a work vehicle. Single-casting of the adapter housing enables reduced manufacturing costs, as the casting process does not need to be changed for each version of the adapter housing.

[0068] The terminology used herein serves solely to describe certain exemplary embodiments and is in no way intended to be restrictive. As used herein, the singular forms "a" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly excludes this. Furthermore, it is understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprehensive," when used in this patent specification, indicate the presence of specified features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0069] The description of the present disclosure is provided for illustrative and descriptive purposes only and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the disclosure as disclosed. Many modifications and variations are obvious to those skilled in the art without deviating from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. The embodiments expressly mentioned herein have been selected and described to best explain the principles of the disclosure and their practical application, and to enable other persons skilled in the art to understand the disclosure and to recognize many alternatives, modifications, and variations from the examples described. Accordingly, various embodiments and implementations other than those explicitly described are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

[1] Electric drive assembly (52) for operation with a component of a work vehicle (20) with an SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mount (100C, 100D) for replacing hydraulic power, wherein the electric drive assembly (52) comprises: an electric machine (82) with 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 an electric machine mounting flange (190), wherein the electric machine mounting flange (190) is dimensioned and configured to fit the mounting flange of the electric machine (82), wherein the component mounting flange (132, 152) has a bolt hole pattern (136, 156) and a mounting base (134, 154) that each have a complementary size and configuration to that of the SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mount (100C, 100D), wherein the adapter housing (104, 106, 108) is formed as an integral casting (170) with the component mounting flange (132, 152) and the electrical machine mounting flange (190) and the component mounting flange (132, 152) has one or more features (156, 174, 176, 178, 180) for each of several SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mounts, and wherein one or more features (174, 176,178) the SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mounts are machined; and, a gear set (84) which is at least partially located and configured inside the adapter housing (104, 106, 108) to effect a change in the transmission ratio and to transmit power between the shaft (280) of the electric machine (82) and a drive shaft (130, 150). [2] Drive assembly according to claim 1, wherein the SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mount (100C, 100D) is an SAE-C hydraulic pump / motor mount (100C) or an SAE-D hydraulic pump / motor mount (100D); and wherein the component mounting flange (132, 152) of the adapter housing (106, 108) is a complementary SAE-C hydraulic pump / motor mount or SAE-D hydraulic pump / motor mount. [3] Drive assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mount is an SAE C hydraulic pump / motor mount (100C); wherein the component mounting flange (132) of the adapter housing (106) is a complementary SAE-C hydraulic pump / motor mount incorporating a corresponding bolt hole pattern (136) and a mounting cushion (134, 174); and wherein the component mounting flange (132) of the adapter housing (106) incorporates one or more features (154, 156, 176, 180) of an SAE-D hydraulic pump / motor mount. [4] Drive assembly according to claim 3, wherein one or more features (154, 156, 176, 180) of an SAE-D hydraulic pump / motor mount include a bolt hole pattern (156) and a mounting surface (154, 176) of an SAE-D hydraulic pump / motor mount; and wherein the bolt hole pattern (156) and the mounting surface (154, 176) of an SAE-D hydraulic pump / motor mount are spaced apart from the bolt hole pattern (136) and the mounting surface (134, 174) of an SAE-C hydraulic pump / motor mount. [5] Drive assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the adapter housing (104, 106, 108) defines a drain shaft (220) with a drain opening (228) configured to connect the interior to a drain component (230) to direct coolant from an electric machine drain to the drain component (230); wherein the electric motor mounting flange (190) defines at least partially the drain shaft (220) of the adapter housing (104, 106, 108); and wherein the electric machine mounting flange (190) defines a cover feature (234) configured to close a coolant channel of the electric machine (82). [6] Drive assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the gear set (84) is a planetary gear set comprising a ring gear (354), a sun gear (350) and planet gears (358) mounted on a carrier (356); wherein the ring gear (354) is coupled to the drive shaft (130, 150) for common rotation and the sun gear (350) is coupled to the shaft (280) of the electric machine (82) for common rotation; and wherein the carrier (356) is fixed against rotation with respect to the adapter housing (104, 106, 108). [7] Drive arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the electric machine (82) is configured to operate alternatively as a motor in a first power flow direction and as a generator in a second power flow direction opposite to the first power flow direction; and wherein the planetary set (84) is configured as sun gear in, ring gear out in the first power flow direction and as ring gear in, sun gear out in the second power flow direction. [8] Method for manufacturing an electric drive assembly (52) for operation with a component of a work vehicle (20) with an SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mount (100C, 100D) for replacing hydraulic power, the method comprising: Providing an electric machine (82) with a shaft (280) and a mounting flange (196, 256); Forming an adapter housing (104, 106, 108) that defines an interior space between a component mounting flange (132, 152) and an electric machine mounting flange (190), wherein the electric machine mounting flange (190) is sized and configured to fit the mounting flange (196, 256) of the electric machine (82), wherein the component mounting flange (132, 152) has a bolt hole pattern (136, 156) and a mounting base (134, 154) that each have a complementary size and configuration to the SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mount (100C, 100D), wherein the forming of the adapter housing (104, 106, 108) is the casting of the adapter housing (104, 106, 108) as a integral part (170) comprising the component mounting flange (132, 152) and the electric machine mounting flange (190); and furthermore including the machining of one or more features (174, 176, 178) of the SAE standard hydraulic pump / engine mounts; Mounting the mounting flange (196, 256) of the electric machine (82) to the electric machine mounting flange (190) of the adapter housing (104, 106, 108); and Installing a gear set (84) at least partially inside the adapter housing (104, 106, 108) to couple the shaft (280) of the electric machine (82) to a drive shaft (130, 150), wherein the gear set (84) is configured to effect a change in the transmission ratio and to transmit power between the shaft (280) of the electric machine (82) and the drive shaft (130). [9] Method according to claim 8, wherein the SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mount (100C, 100D) is an SAE-C hydraulic pump / motor mount (100C) or an SAE-D hydraulic pump / motor mount (100D); and wherein the component mounting flange (132, 152) of the adapter housing (104, 106, 108) is a complementary SAE-C hydraulic pump / motor mount (106) or SAE-D hydraulic pump / motor mount (108). [10] Method according to claim 9, wherein the machining includes drilling a screw hole pattern (136) into the adapter housing (106) for the SAE-C hydraulic pump / motor mount; and wherein the machining involves grinding one or more surfaces of a mounting support (174, 176, 178) for the SAE-C hydraulic pump / motor support or the SAE-D hydraulic pump / motor support. [11] Method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the SAE standard hydraulic pump / motor mount (100C, 100D) is an SAE C hydraulic pump / motor mount (100C); wherein the component mounting flange (132) of the adapter housing (106) is a complementary SAE-C hydraulic pump / motor mount; and wherein the component mounting flange (132) of the adapter housing (106) incorporates one or more features (154, 156, 176, 180) of an SAE-D hydraulic pump / motor mount. [12] Method according to claim 11, wherein the machining includes drilling a screw hole pattern (136) into the adapter housing (106) for the SAE-C hydraulic pump / motor mount; and the machining includes grinding one or more surfaces of a mounting base (174, 176, 178) for the SAE-C hydraulic pump / motor carrier. [13] Method according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the adapter housing (104, 106, 108) defines a drain shaft (220) with a drain opening (228) configured to connect the interior to a drain component (230) to direct coolant from a drain of the electric machine (82) to the drain component (230); wherein the electric motor mounting flange (190) defines at least partially the drain shaft (220) of the adapter housing (104, 106, 108); and wherein the electric machine mounting flange (190) defines a cover feature (234) configured to close a coolant channel of the electric machine (82). [14] Method according to claim 13, wherein the gear set (84) is a planetary gear set comprising a ring gear (354), a sun gear (350) and planet gears (358) mounted on a carrier (356); wherein the ring gear (354) is coupled to the drive shaft (130, 150) for common rotation and the sun gear (350) is coupled to the shaft (280) of the electric machine (82) for common rotation; wherein the support (356) is fixed against rotation with respect to the adapter housing (104, 106, 108); and wherein the planetary set is configured to transmit power as sun gear in, ring gear out in a first power flow direction and as ring gear in, sun gear out in a second power flow direction opposite to the first power flow direction.

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