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DE-102024132568-A1 - Drive unit for a vehicle that can be propelled at least partially by muscle power and vehicle with such a drive unit

DE102024132568A1DE 102024132568 A1DE102024132568 A1DE 102024132568A1DE-102024132568-A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a drive unit for a vehicle (1) that can be propelled at least partially by muscle power, comprising a hub housing (2) configured to be rotationally fixed to a drive wheel (3) of the vehicle (1), a transmission (4) arranged therein, and an electric machine (5) with a rotor (6) and a stator (7), wherein the transmission (4) is arranged coaxially to the electric machine (5) and radially within the electric machine (5), wherein the rotor (6) is rotationally fixed to the hub housing (2) and the stator (7) is rotationally fixed to a transmission element, or the stator (7) is rotationally fixed to the hub housing (2) and the rotor (6) is rotationally fixed to a transmission element. The invention further relates to a vehicle (1) that can be propelled at least partially by muscle power, comprising at least two wheels and such a drive unit.

Inventors

  • Peter Greb
  • Laszlo Man

Assignees

  • Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20241108

Claims (10)

  1. Drive unit for a vehicle (1) that can be propelled at least partially by muscle power, comprising a hub housing (2) which is arranged to be non-rotatably connected to a drive wheel (3) of the vehicle (1), a gearbox (4) arranged therein and an electric machine (5) with a rotor (6) and a stator (7), wherein the gearbox (4) is arranged coaxially to the electric machine (5) and radially within the electric machine (5), wherein the rotor (6) is non-rotatably connected to the hub housing (2), and wherein the stator (7) is non-rotatably connected to a gearbox element.
  2. Drive unit for a vehicle (1) that can be propelled at least partially by muscle power, comprising a hub housing (2) which is arranged to be non-rotatably connected to a drive wheel (3) of the vehicle (1), a gearbox (4) arranged therein and an electric machine (5) with a rotor (6) and a stator (7), wherein the gearbox (4) is arranged coaxially to the electric machine (5) and radially within the electric machine (5), wherein the stator (7) is non-rotatably connected to the hub housing (2), and wherein the rotor (6) is non-rotatably connected to a gearbox element.
  3. drive unit according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the gear element comprises a ring gear (11).
  4. drive unit according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the gear element comprises a planet carrier (10).
  5. Drive unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that sliding contacts (8) are formed for electrical energy transmission between a circuit board (9) and the rotor (6) and/or the stator (7).
  6. drive unit after a Claims 1 until 4 , characterized in that the electrical energy transfer between a circuit board (9) and the rotor (6) and/or the stator (7) is inductive.
  7. Drive unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transmission (4) is designed as a manual transmission, continuously variable transmission or as a rigid transmission and/or comprises a planetary gear set.
  8. Drive unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a switching mechanism (20) of the transmission (4) is fixed in a stationary position.
  9. Vehicle (1) that can be propelled at least partially by muscle power, comprising at least two wheels and a drive unit according to one of the preceding claims.
  10. Vehicle (1) after Claim 9 , characterized by a generator (40) with a rotor and a stator, wherein the rotor of the generator (40) is connected to a pedal crank shaft (41) of the vehicle (1) in a rotationally fixed manner.

Description

The invention relates to a drive unit for a vehicle that can be propelled at least partially by muscle power. Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle with such a drive unit. In particular, the vehicle is designed as a bicycle or e-bike and has at least two wheels. For example, the DE 27 12 456 A1 A drive system with an electric motor equipped with a rotatably mounted rotor and a stator. The stator of the electric motor is rotatably mounted relative to the rotor and coupled to a flywheel for storing rotational energy. The object of the invention is to create an alternative drive unit for a vehicle that can be propelled at least partially by muscle power. In particular, the drive unit should have a compact design in the axial direction. This object is achieved by the subject matter of claim 1. Preferred embodiments can be found in the dependent claims, the description, and the figures. A drive unit according to the invention for a vehicle that can be propelled at least partially by muscle power comprises a hub housing configured to be rotationally fixed to a rim of a drive wheel of the vehicle, a gearbox arranged therein, and an electric machine with a rotor and a stator arranged coaxially thereto. The gearbox is arranged radially within the electric machine, the rotor being rotationally fixed to the hub housing, and the stator being rotationally fixed to a gearbox element. Alternatively, the stator is rotationally fixed to the hub housing, and the rotor is rotationally fixed to a gearbox element. Thus, the rotor and the stator can rotate about the wheel axle. Because the stator does not need to be supported by a stationary component, particularly in the area of the wheel axle, the drive unit can be designed more compactly. Consequently, a component connecting the stator to the radially inner wheel axle can be omitted. This saves components and therefore also material and weight. If the rotor is non-rotatably connected to the hub housing and the stator is non-rotatably connected to a gear element, the stator is preferably arranged radially inside the rotor, with the gear element also arranged radially inside the stator. Regardless of whether the rotor or the stator is non-rotatably connected to the hub housing, the rotor, stator, and gear element are arranged radially nested and axially overlapping, resulting in a particularly compact design in the axial direction for the drive unit, which is configured as a wheel hub motor for a vehicle, especially a bicycle. According to one embodiment, the transmission element comprises at least one ring gear. For example, the transmission element is designed as a ring gear. For example, the transmission element is designed as a ring gear with multiple internal tooth sections and different internal diameters, wherein all internal tooth sections are rotationally fixed to the stator or the rotor. The ring gear can be formed in one piece or from several sections rotationally fixed to one another. According to an alternative embodiment, the transmission element comprises a planet carrier. For example, the transmission element is designed as a planet carrier. Several axially adjacent planet gears with different outer diameters are rotatably mounted on the planet carrier, each planet gear meshing with a ring gear and a sun gear of the transmission. The planet carrier is non-rotatably connected to the stator or the rotor. According to one embodiment, sliding contacts are used for electrical energy transfer between a circuit board and the rotor and/or the stator. The sliding contacts transfer the electrical energy by contacting the circuit board and rotor and/or the circuit board and stator. This can reduce manufacturing costs. According to an alternative embodiment, electrical energy transfer between the circuit board and the rotor and/or stator is inductive. Induction allows for contactless transfer of electrical energy between the circuit board and rotor and/or between the circuit board and stator. This reduces wear. According to one embodiment, the transmission is designed as a manual transmission, a continuously variable transmission (CVT), or a rigid transmission. Alternatively or additionally, the transmission includes a planetary gear set. A manual transmission comprises a shifting mechanism or at least a shifting element for changing gear ratios, thereby enabling the realization of multiple fixed gear ratios. A continuously variable transmission, also known as a CVT, Called mission, this type of transmission allows for stepless adjustment of the gear ratio, resulting in smooth and jerk-free acceleration, which significantly improves driver comfort. A rigid transmission has a fixed gear ratio, is not shiftable, and can be manufactured cost-effectively. A planetary gear set comprises at least a sun gear, a ring gear, and a planet carrier with several planet gears that mesh with the ring gear and the sun gear. Alternatively, the transmission can also be designed as a