Drive unit for a muscle-powered vehicle and vehicle

DE102024203034B3Active Publication Date: 2025-09-11ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
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Patent Information

Application Number
DE102024203034
Authority / Receiving Office
DE · DE
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-04-03
Publication Date
2025-09-11
Estimated Expiration
2044-04-03

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Abstract

A drive unit for a vehicle that can be operated using human power has an input element (4), a stationary component (9), an output gear (30), and an output element (5). The input element (4) extends in an axial direction through the output element (5), is arranged coaxially to the output element (5), and is mechanically operatively connected to the output element (5) via the output gear (30) for outputting a drive force. The output element (5) is mounted on the stationary component (9) via a first output bearing (61) and a second output bearing (62). An outer circumference of the first output bearing (61) is smaller than an outer circumference of the second output bearing (62).
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Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a drive unit for a muscle-powered vehicle and a vehicle having a drive unit.

[0002] A drive unit for a human-powered vehicle, such as an e-bike, is known. Such a drive unit may include an electric motor to assist a mechanical drive to propel the vehicle. The electric motor and the mechanical drive may drive a summing gear arranged within a drive housing. Drive force may be transmitted via an output shaft from the summing gear to a sprocket arranged outside the drive housing. A long service life of the drive unit is of great importance for vehicles.

[0003] DE 10 2016 225 159 A1 shows a transmission for a bicycle with an output element mounted via a needle bearing and a deep groove ball bearing. Further drive units for human-powered vehicles are shown in DE 10 2020 203 711 A1, DE 10 2021 111 580 A1, and DE 10 2017 111 770 A1.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved drive unit that is compact and has an improved service life. The present invention achieves this object with a drive unit having the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0005] In a first aspect, a drive unit for a vehicle operable by human power is provided. The vehicle can be formed by a bicycle, an e-bike, or a pedelec. The drive unit has an input element, a stationary component, an output gear, and an output element. The input element can be formed by a pedal crank. The input element can have pedals. The stationary component can have at least one of a gear housing and a housing cover. The output gear can have a summing gear, for example a planetary gear. The output element can be designed in two parts. The output element can have at least one of a sprocket, a belt pulley, or a spur gear. The output element can have an output shaft.

[0006] The input element extends in an axial direction through the output element. The input element can have an axis of rotation. The axis of rotation can be aligned in the axial direction. A radial direction can be aligned substantially perpendicular to the axial direction. The input element is arranged coaxially to the output element. The input element is mechanically operatively connected to the output element via the output gear for outputting a drive force. The output element is rotatably mounted on the stationary component via a first output bearing and a second output bearing. The input element is rotatably mounted on the output element via an input bearing. The input element can be mounted in the output element. An outer circumference of the first output bearing is smaller than an outer circumference of the second output bearing.The first output bearing is arranged radially within the second output bearing and axially within the second output bearing. This ensures that the output element is stably mounted on the stationary component, allowing the drive unit to be designed compactly.

[0007] If two elements are mechanically operatively connected, they are directly or indirectly coupled to one another in such a way that a movement of one element causes a reaction in the other element. For example, a mechanical operative connection can be provided by a positive or frictional connection. The mechanical operative connection can correspond to the meshing of corresponding toothings of the two elements. Additional elements, such as one or more spur gear stages, can be provided between the elements. A permanently rotationally fixed connection between two elements, on the other hand, is understood to be a connection in which the two elements are rigidly coupled to one another in all intended states of the transmission. The elements can be present as individual components that are connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner or as a single piece.

[0008] The input element can be mounted on the stationary component via a first input bearing. The input element can be mounted on the output element via a second input bearing. The output element is then rotatably mounted on the input element via the second input bearing. The first input bearing can be arranged on a first side of the stationary component. The second input bearing can be arranged on a second side of the stationary component. The first side can be arranged opposite the second side with respect to the output gear. The second side can be a side of the drive unit on which the output element is arranged. The first input bearing can be formed by a radial bearing, for example a needle bearing. The second input bearing can be formed by a radial bearing, for example a ball bearing such as a deep groove ball bearing.The second input bearing may be arranged radially within the first output bearing. The second input bearing may be arranged axially in the same plane as the first output bearing.

[0009] The output shaft can be connected to the sprocket or pulley in a rotationally fixed manner. The output element can extend in a U-shape in the radial direction. The output element can extend in the radial direction on both sides along a wall section of the stationary component, for example, the housing cover. The output element can be connected to an output element of the output gear in a rotationally fixed manner. The output element can be connected to a ring gear of the output gear. The output element can form the ring gear of the output gear. The output shaft can form the ring gear on an inner circumference.

[0010] The stationary component may have a bearing seat for receiving the first output bearing. The stationary component may have a bearing seat for receiving the second output bearing. At least one of the bearing seat for the first output bearing and the bearing seat for the second output bearing may be formed on an inner circumference of the stationary component. At least one of the bearing seat for the first output bearing and the bearing seat for the second output bearing may be formed in the housing cover. For example, the bearing seat for the first output bearing may be formed in the housing cover. For example, both the bearing seat for the first output bearing and the bearing seat for the second output bearing may be formed in the housing cover. Both the first output bearing and the second output bearing may be arranged on the second side of the stationary component.The drive unit can therefore be designed such that the first output bearing and the second output bearing are not arranged on opposite sides of the stationary component. This allows a compact bearing arrangement for the output element in the axial direction.

[0011] At least one of the first output bearing and the second output bearing can be formed by a rolling bearing, for example a ball bearing, a tapered roller bearing, or a needle bearing. For example, both the first output bearing and the second output bearing can be formed by a ball bearing. At least one of the first output bearing and the second output bearing can be formed by a radial bearing. Both the first output bearing and the second output bearing can be formed by a radial bearing.

[0012] In one embodiment of the drive unit, the second output bearing can be arranged radially outside the output gear, axially at least partially in the same plane as the output gear, and axially offset from the first output bearing. The second output bearing can be arranged axially in the same plane as the ring gear of the output gear. The second output bearing can be arranged radially outside the output element, for example, the ring gear, of the output gear. The bearing seat for the first output bearing and the bearing seat for the second output bearing can each be formed on an inner circumference of the stationary component.

[0013] In one embodiment of the drive unit, the second output bearing can be formed by a needle bearing. The second output bearing can have an outer ring. The outer ring can be attached to the bearing seat of the stationary component. The stationary component can then be made of a lightweight material, for example, aluminum. The outer ring can be press-fitted onto the bearing seat for the second output bearing. The outer ring can be secured in the axial direction by a retaining element, for example, a retaining ring or a snap ring. Rolling elements of the first output bearing can be in contact with an outer periphery of the output element.

[0014] In one embodiment of the drive unit, the second output bearing can be arranged offset in the axial direction from the output gear and in the axial direction in the same plane as the first output bearing. The bearing seat of the stationary component for the first output bearing can be formed on an inner circumference of the stationary component, for example, the housing cover. The bearing seat of the stationary component for the second output bearing can be formed on an outer circumference of the stationary component, for example, the housing cover. The bearing seat of the output element for the second output bearing can be formed on an inner circumference of the output element.

[0015] In one embodiment of the drive unit, the second output bearing can be formed by a deep groove ball bearing. The drive unit can then be designed to be compact in both the axial and radial directions.

[0016] In one embodiment of the drive unit, the output gear can be arranged radially within the output element. The output gear can be arranged axially at least partially within the output element. The output element can extend radially along the output gear. The output element can extend radially beyond the output gear. The output element can cover an outer circumference of the output gear at least partially in the axial direction.

[0017] In one embodiment of the drive unit, the drive unit can have a first electric motor with a first rotor. The output transmission can have a planetary gear set with a first gear set element, a second gear set element, and a third gear set element. The first rotor can be mechanically operatively connected to the first gear set element for inputting a drive force. The input element can be connected to the second gear set element in a rotationally fixed manner. The input element can be connected to the second gear set element in a rotationally fixed manner at least in one direction of rotation. The input element can be connected to the second gear set element via a freewheel for rotation in a first direction of rotation and for rotation in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation. The third gear set element can be connected to the output element for rotationally fixed manner for outputting a drive force.The first rotor can be mechanically operatively connected to the first gear set element of the output transmission via a first gear set. The first rotor can be mechanically operatively connected to the first gear set element of the output transmission via a second gear set. At least one of the first gear set and the second gear set can be formed by a planetary gear set. The first rotor can be mechanically operatively connected to the first gear set element of the output transmission via at least one of a first planetary gear set and a second planetary gear set.

[0018] The first planetary gear set may include a first sun gear, a first planet carrier, one or more first planet pinions, one or more first planet gears, and a first ring gear. The second planetary gear set may include a second sun gear, a second planet carrier, one or more second planet pinions, one or more second planet gears, and a second ring gear.

[0019] The rotor can be non-rotatably connected to the first sun gear. The first planetary gear set can be arranged radially within the second planetary gear set. The first planetary gear set and the second planetary gear set can be arranged axially in the same plane. The second planetary gear set can be axially offset from the first planetary gear set.

[0020] The first sun gear can mesh with the first planet gear. The first planet gear can be mounted on the first planet pin via a bearing, for example a radial bearing, a deep groove ball bearing, a plain bearing, or a needle bearing. The first planet pin can be attached to the first planet carrier, for example, pressed into the first planet carrier. The first planet gear can mesh with the first ring gear. The first ring gear can be connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the second sun gear. A sun ring gear can form the first ring gear on an inner circumference and the second sun gear on an outer circumference.

[0021] The second sun gear can mesh with the second planet gear. The second planet gear can be mounted on the second planet pin via a bearing, for example a radial bearing, a deep groove ball bearing, a plain bearing, or a needle bearing. The second planet pin can be attached to the second planet carrier, for example pressed into the second planet carrier. The second planet carrier can be attached to the stationary component. The second planet carrier can be formed by the stationary component. The second planet gear can mesh with the second ring gear. The second ring gear and the first planet carrier can be connected to an output shaft in a rotationally fixed manner. As a result, the first ring gear can be connected to the first planet carrier in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0022] The output transmission with the third planetary gear set can have at least a third sun gear, a third planet carrier, and a third ring gear. The third planetary gear set can further have one or more third planetary pinions and one or more third planetary gears. The third sun gear can mesh with the third planetary gear. The third planetary gear can be rotatably mounted on the third planetary pinion via a bearing, for example a radial bearing, a deep groove ball bearing, a plain bearing, or a needle bearing. The third planetary pinion can be attached to the third planetary carrier, for example, pressed into the third planetary carrier. The third planetary gear can mesh with the third ring gear.

[0023] The first gear set element can be formed by the third sun gear. The output shaft can be connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the third sun gear. The output shaft can form the third sun gear on an outer circumference. The second gear set element can be formed by the third planet carrier. The third planet carrier can be connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the output element. The third gear set element can be formed by the third ring gear. The third ring gear can be connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the output element.

[0024] At least one of the first electric motor, the first planetary gear set, and the second planetary gear set can be arranged in the axial direction on the first side of the output transmission. Power electronics for operating the first electric motor can be arranged coaxially with the output element on the first side of the output transmission. The power electronics can be arranged on the first side of the first planetary gear set and the second planetary gear set.

[0025] In one embodiment of the drive unit, one of the first gear set element, the second gear set element, and the third gear set element of the output transmission can be rotatably mounted on the output element via a third output bearing. For example, the third planet carrier can be rotatably mounted on the output element. The third planet carrier can be rotatably mounted on the third ring gear. The third output bearing can be designed as a radial bearing. The third output bearing can be formed by a ball bearing, for example a deep groove ball bearing. The output element can have a bearing seat for the third output bearing on an inner circumference. The third output bearing can be arranged offset in the axial direction with respect to the first output bearing towards the first side. An outer circumference of the third output bearing can be smaller than an inner circumference of the second output bearing.The outer circumference of the third output bearing may be smaller than an outer circumference of the first output bearing.

[0026] In one embodiment of the drive unit, a first sealing element, a second sealing element and a third sealing element can be arranged on the output element for sealing an inner side of the stationary component from an outer side of the stationary component.

[0027] The second input bearing can be sealed to an outside of the drive unit by the first sealing element, for example, a radial shaft seal. The first sealing element can be offset in the axial direction and arranged adjacent to the second input bearing. The first sealing element can be positioned on a bearing seat for the second input bearing. The first sealing element can be attached to an inner circumference of the output element. A cylindrical portion of the input element extending in the axial direction can be in sliding contact with a sealing lip of the first sealing element.

[0028] The first output bearing can be sealed to an outside of the drive unit via the second sealing element, for example, a radial shaft seal. The second sealing element can be offset in the axial direction and arranged adjacent to the first output bearing. The second sealing element can be positioned on the bearing seat for the first output bearing. The second sealing element can be attached to an inner circumference of the stationary component. A projection of the output element, for example, the sprocket, projecting in the axial direction or a cylindrical surface extending in the axial direction can be in sliding contact with a sealing lip of the second sealing element.

[0029] A third sealing element, for example an O-ring, can be arranged on an inner circumference of the sprocket or pulley and on an outer circumference of the output shaft for sealing an inner side of the stationary component from an outer side.

[0030] In one embodiment of the drive unit, the drive unit can have a second electric motor with a second rotor. The second rotor can be mechanically connected to the output element via a transmission gear for outputting a drive force. The output element can have a toothing, for example an external toothing, for the mechanical operative connection with the second rotor. The external toothing can be formed by a spur gear or a sprocket gear. The external toothing can be in engagement with a toothing of the transmission gear. The external toothing can be arranged outside the bearing seat of the output element for the second output bearing. The second output bearing can be arranged in the same plane as the external toothing in the axial direction. The second output bearing can be arranged offset from the external toothing in the axial direction.The second output bearing can be arranged adjacent to or next to the external gearing in the axial direction.

[0031] In one aspect, a vehicle comprises at least one drive wheel and a drive unit according to one of the preceding embodiments. The vehicle can be operated using muscle power. The vehicle can be a bicycle, an e-bike, or a pedelec. The drive wheel is mechanically operatively connected to the drive unit via the output element such that the drive unit can propel the vehicle. The vehicle can comprise other devices such as a braking device or a steering device. Fig. 1 shows a sectional view of an embodiment of a drive unit. Fig. 2 shows a sectional view of another embodiment of the drive unit. Fig. 3 shows a sectional view of another embodiment of the drive unit. Fig. 4 shows a sectional view of another embodiment of the drive unit.

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a sectional view of one embodiment of a drive unit. The drive unit can be used for a vehicle that can be operated using muscle power, in this case an e-bike. The drive unit has an input element 4, in this case a pedal crankshaft, a stationary component 9, in this case a gear housing with a housing cover, an output gear 30, and an output element 5. The drive unit further has a first electric motor 70, which is arranged coaxially to the output element 5 and is mechanically operatively connected to the output element 5 via the output gear 30 for outputting a drive force. The input element 4 extends in an axial direction through the output element 5 coaxially to the output element 5. The input element 4 is mechanically operatively connected to the output element 5 via the output gear 30 for outputting a drive force.

[0033] The output element 5 is mounted on the stationary component 9 via a first output bearing 61 and a second output bearing 62. The transmission housing has a bearing seat for the first output bearing 61 on an inner circumference. The housing cover has a bearing seat for the second output bearing 62 on an inner circumference. The output element 5 is rotatably mounted on the input element 4 via an input bearing 42, in this case a second input bearing 42. As a result, the output element 5 is stably mounted in the stationary component 9, which leads to a long service life of the drive unit. An outer circumference of the first output bearing 61 is smaller than an outer circumference of the second output bearing 62.

[0034] Further details of the drive unit are described below.

[0035] The output element 5 here comprises a sprocket and an output shaft. The output shaft has bearing seats for the first output bearing 61 and the second output bearing 62. The bearing seat for the first output bearing 61 is arranged on an outer circumference of the output shaft. The bearing seat for the second output bearing 62 is also arranged on an outer circumference of the output shaft. The second output bearing 62 is arranged offset in the axial direction relative to the first output bearing 61 toward the first side. The second output bearing 62 is arranged radially outside the output gear 30 and is arranged in the axial direction in the same plane as the output gear 30.

[0036] The sprocket is connected to the output shaft in a rotationally fixed manner. The output shaft extends from the first side, the left side, into Fig. 1, through a wall section of the housing cover of the stationary component 9 to an outside of the stationary component 9 on the second side, the right side in Fig. 1. The wall section of the stationary component 9 is arranged on the second side of the stationary component 9. The output shaft extends on the first side relative to the stationary component 9, i.e., an inner side of the stationary component 9, radially outward along the wall section. The sprocket extends from the output shaft radially outward along the wall section. Thus, the output element 5 forms a U-shaped cross-section that extends along a section of the wall section of the stationary component 9.

[0037] The input element 4 is rotatably mounted in the stationary component 9 on the first side relative to the stationary component 9 via a first input bearing 41, in this case a needle bearing. The input element 4 is rotatably mounted on the output element 5 on the second side relative to the stationary component 9 via a second input bearing 42, in this case a deep groove ball bearing. As a result, the input element 4 is mounted on opposite sides of the stationary component 9. The first input bearing 41 is arranged in the axial direction and in the radial direction within the first electric motor 70. The second input bearing 42 is arranged in the radial direction within the first output bearing 61. The second input bearing 42 is arranged in the axial direction in the same plane as the first output bearing 61. An outer circumference of the second input bearing 42 is smaller than an inner circumference of the first output bearing 61.

[0038] A first sealing element 91, in this case a radial shaft seal, is arranged adjacent to the second input bearing 42 in the axial direction and offset towards the second side. The first sealing element 91 is fastened to an inner circumference of the output shaft. A cylindrical portion of the input element 4 extending in the axial direction is in sliding contact with a sealing lip of the first sealing element 91. A second sealing element 92 is arranged adjacent to the first output bearing 61 and offset in the axial direction towards the second side. The second sealing element 92 is fastened to an inner circumference of the wall portion. An outer surface of a projection of the sprocket projecting towards the first side in the axial direction is in sliding contact with a sealing lip of the second sealing element 92. A third sealing element 93, in this case an O-ring, bears against an inner circumference of the sprocket and an outer circumference of the output shaft.The first sealing element 91, the second sealing element 92 and the third sealing element 93 fluidically seal the inside of the stationary component 9 from the outside of the stationary component 9.

[0039] Fig. 2 shows a sectional view of another embodiment of the drive unit. The present embodiment differs from the previous embodiment essentially in the design of the output gear 30. The output gear 30 is arranged on the second side relative to the first electric motor 70. Furthermore, the drive unit of the present embodiment has a first planetary gear set 10 and a second planetary gear set 20, which are arranged in the axial direction between the first electric motor 70 and the output gear 30. The output gear 30 is formed by a third planetary gear set and has a third sun gear 31, a third planet carrier 32, a number of third planet pins 33, a number of third planet gears 34, and a third ring gear 35.

[0040] The third sun gear 31 is mechanically connected to the first planetary gear set 10 and the second planetary gear set 20. The third sun gear 31 meshes with the third planet gears 34. The third planet gears 34 are each mounted on one of the third planetary pins 33 via a needle bearing. The third planetary pins 33 are fastened to the third planet carrier 32. The third planet carrier 32 is rotationally fixedly connected to the input element 4. The third planet gears 34 mesh with the third ring gear 35. The third ring gear 35 is rotationally fixedly connected to the output shaft of the output element 5. The third ring gear 35 is formed on an inner circumference of the output shaft. The second output bearing 62 is arranged outside the third ring gear 35 in the radial direction and in the same plane as the third ring gear 35 in the axial direction.

[0041] Fig. 3 shows a sectional view of another embodiment of the drive unit. The present embodiment has all the features of at least one of the previous embodiments. The present drive unit has a second electric motor 80 and a transmission gear 37. The first electric motor 70 has a first rotor 71 and a first stator 72. The second electric motor 80 has a second rotor 81 and a second stator 82.

[0042] The first planetary gear set 10 includes a first sun gear 11, a first planet carrier 12, a number of first planet pinions 13, a number of first planet gears 14, and a first ring gear 15. The second planetary gear set 20 includes a second sun gear 21, a second planet carrier 22, a number of second planet pinions 23, a number of second planet gears 24, and a second ring gear 25. The second planetary gear set 20 is arranged radially outside the first planetary gear set 10. The second planetary gear set 20 and the first planetary gear set 10 are arranged in the same plane in the axial direction. As a result, the first planetary gear set 10 and the second planetary gear set 20 form a nested gear set.

[0043] The first sun gear 11 is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the first rotor 71. The first sun gear 11 meshes with the first planet gears 14. Each of the first planet gears 14 is mounted on one of the first planetary pins 13 via a bearing, in this case a needle bearing. The first planetary pins 13 are fastened to the first planet carrier 12. The first planet gears 14 mesh with the first ring gear 15. A sun ring gear forms the first ring gear 15 on an inner circumference and the second sun gear 21 on an outer circumference. As a result, the first ring gear 15 is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the second sun gear 21.

[0044] The second sun gear 21 meshes with the second planet gears 24. Each of the second planet gears 24 is mounted on one of the second planetary pins 23 via a bearing, in this case a needle bearing. The second planetary pins 23 are fastened to the second planet carrier 22. The second planet gears 24 mesh with the second ring gear 25. The second ring gear 25 and the first planetary carrier 12 are connected in a rotationally fixed manner to an output shaft 7. As a result, the second ring gear 25 is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the first planetary carrier 12. The first output shaft 7 is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the third sun gear 31.

[0045] The second planet carrier 22 is formed by the stationary component 9. The sun gear can engage the second planet carrier 22 in the axial direction on a first side and is thus limited in its movement in the axial direction.

[0046] The second electric motor 80 is arranged axially parallel to the first electric motor 70. The second electric motor 80 is operatively connected to the output shaft of the output element 5 via the transmission gear 37. For this purpose, the output shaft of the output element 5 has a toothing 36 on an outer circumference. The toothing 36 is arranged offset in the axial direction from the second output bearing 62. The toothing 36 is arranged in the axial direction in the same plane as the second input bearing 42. An outer diameter of the toothing 36 is smaller than an outer diameter of the second output bearing 62.

[0047] Fig. Figure 4 shows another sectional view of an embodiment of the drive unit. The present embodiment differs from the previous embodiment primarily in the design of the second output bearing 62 and the output element 5.

[0048] In this case, the second output bearing 62 is designed as a deep groove ball bearing. The second output bearing 62 is arranged offset in the axial direction to the second side with respect to the output gear 30. An outer diameter of the second output bearing 62 is smaller than an outer diameter of the third ring gear 35. The second output bearing 62 is arranged in the same plane as the first output bearing 61 in the axial direction. The housing cover of the stationary component 9 forms the bearing seat for the second output bearing 62 on an outer circumference.

[0049] The output shaft of the output element 5 forms the bearing seat for the second output bearing 62 on an inner circumference. The toothing 36 and the second output bearing 62 are arranged in the same plane in the axial direction. The toothing 36 is arranged in the axial direction in a region of the bearing seat for the second output bearing 62 and in the radial direction outside the bearing seat for the second output bearing 62. In the present embodiment, the drive unit does not have the third output bearing 63. The first, second, and third sealing elements 91, 92, 93 are not shown. Reference symbol 4 Input element 5 Output element 7 Output shaft 9 Stationary component 10 First planetary gear set 11 First sun gear 12 First planet carrier 13 First planetary bolt 14 First planetary gear 15 First ring gear 20 Second planetary gear set 21 Second sun gear 22 Second planet carrier 23 Second planetary bolt 24 Second planetary gear 25 Second ring gear 30 output gears 31 Third sun gear 32 Third planet carrier 33 Third planetary bolt 34 Third planetary gear 35 Third ring gear 36 Gearing 37 transmission gears 41 First Entrance Camp 42 Second Entrance Camp 61 First output bearing 62 Second output bearing 63 Third output bearing 70 First electric motor 71 First rotor 72 First stator 80 Second electric motor 81 Second rotor 82 Second stator 91 First sealing element 92 Second sealing element 93 Third sealing element

Claims

[1] Drive unit for a vehicle that can be driven by muscle power, the drive unit comprising an input element (4), a stationary component (9), an output gear (30) and an output element (5), wherein - the input element (4) extends in an axial direction through the output element (5), is arranged coaxially to the output element (5) and is mechanically operatively connected to the output element (5) via the output gear (30) for outputting a drive force, - the output element (5) is rotatably mounted on the stationary component (9) via a first output bearing (61) and a second output bearing (62), - the input element (4) is rotatably mounted on the output element (5) via an input bearing (42), and - an outer circumference of the first output bearing (61) is smaller than an outer circumference of the second output bearing (62), wherein the first output bearing (61) is arranged in the radial direction and in the axial direction within the second output bearing (62). [2] Drive unit according to claim 1, characterized by that the second output bearing (62) is arranged in the radial direction outside the output gear (30), in the axial direction at least partially in the same plane as the output gear (30) and in the axial direction offset from the first output bearing (61). [3] Drive unit according to claim 2, characterized by that the second output bearing (62) is formed by a needle bearing. [4] Drive unit according to claim 1, characterized by that the second output bearing (62) is arranged offset in the axial direction to the output gear (30) and in the axial direction in the same plane as the first output bearing (61). [5] Drive unit according to claim 4, characterized by that the second output bearing (62) is formed by a deep groove ball bearing. [6] Drive unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the output gear (30) is arranged in the radial direction within the output element (5). [7] Drive unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that - the drive unit comprises a first electric motor (70) with a first rotor (71), - the output transmission (30) comprises a planetary gear set with a first gear set element, a second gear set element and a third gear set element, - the first rotor (71) is mechanically connected to the first wheel set element for inputting a driving force, - the input element (4) is connected to the second wheel set element in at least one direction of rotation, and - the third wheel set element is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the output element (5) for outputting a driving force. [8] Drive unit according to claim 7, characterized by that one of the first gear set element, the second gear set element and the third gear set element of the output transmission (30) is rotatably mounted on the output element (5) via a third output bearing (63). [9] Drive unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a first sealing element (91), a second sealing element (92) and a third sealing element (93) are arranged on the output element (5) for sealing an inner side of the stationary component (9) against an outer side of the stationary component (9). [10] Drive unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the drive unit has a second electric motor (80) with a second rotor (82) which is mechanically connected to the output element (5) via a transmission gear (37) for outputting a drive force. [11] Vehicle with at least one drive wheel and a drive unit according to claims 1 to 10, wherein - the vehicle can be operated using muscle power, and - the drive wheel is mechanically connected to the drive unit via the output element (5) in such a way that the drive unit can move the vehicle.

Citation Information

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