TRANSAXLE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under Paris Convention based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-237901, filed on Dec. 4, 2015, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD

At least one embodiment of this disclosure relates to a transaxle incorporating an electric motor serving as a drive source.

BACKGROUND

U.S. Pat. No. 6,629,577 Gazette (hereinafter referred to as “'577”) discloses an example of application of a typical hydraulic transaxle to a vehicle. This widely prevailed transaxle accommodates, in a casing supporting a pair of axles, in a compact manner, a differential gear mechanism coupling inner ends of the pair of axles each other to allow the pair of axles to operate in a differential manner, a Hydro Static Transmission (hereinafter referred to as an “HST”) including a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor, and a reduction gear train for transmitting output of the HST to the differential gear mechanism. Although an example of application to a lawn tractor is disclosed in “'577,” application aspects vary, such as snow removers, in addition to lawn tractors.

In this typical hydraulic transaxle disclosed in “'577,” an HST chamber accommodating the HST and a gear chamber accommodating the reduction gear train and the differential gear mechanism are formed in the casing. At a center section fastened with bolts at mounting bosses formed on the casing so as to be suspended from a ceiling of the HST chamber, the HST is configured and installed with a hydraulic motor having a horizontal motor shaft parallel to the axles, and a hydraulic pump having a vertical pump shaft. The motor shaft is journalled by a bearing wall portion formed between the HST chamber and the gear chamber, extended into the gear chamber, and drivingly connected to the reduction gear train.

The casing is formed by joining upper and lower housings, where the axles are journalled by the upper housing, and a shaft center of the motor shaft of the hydraulic motor is disposed on a joint plane between the upper and lower housings. Therefore, when installing or removing the HST itself into or from the HST chamber, the motor shaft of the hydraulic motor can easily be installed or removed by separating or joining the upper and lower housings.

Electric motors are required to be used in recent years as power sources of such vehicles for some purposes including energy saving and noise reduction. In connection with these requirements, electric transaxles accommodating, in a casing supporting axles, an electric motor, and a reduction gear train for transmitting output of the electric motor to the axles, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 8,701,806 Gazette, for example, are required to be developed.

One problem on developing an electric transaxle is a high cost that might be caused when a casing, which costs a lot in producing, is molded and produced from scratch so as to design a shape appropriate for accommodating an electric motor and a reduction gear train. One idea to solve this problem is diverting a casing for use in a hydraulic transaxle widely prevailed as described above as is to serve a chamber for accommodating an HST as a chamber for accommodating an electric motor. However, the chamber has not been configured to install an electric motor, and thus in order to utilize the chamber as a motor chamber, a structure for supporting the electric motor and other components must be modified.

SUMMARY

A transaxle according to this application includes axles, a casing, an electric motor, and a gear mechanism. The casing supports the axles, and is internally formed with a first chamber and a second chamber. The electric motor is accommodated in the first chamber. The gear mechanism is accommodated in the second chamber to transmit output of the electric motor to the axles. In the first chamber of the casing, mounting bosses are formed. In the first chamber, a motor support member fastened with bolts to the mounting bosses is provided. The electric motor has a first end portion from which a motor output shaft protrudes, and a second end portion opposite to the first end portion. The motor output shaft is journalled by a partition wall formed between the first chamber and the second chamber of the casing, extended into the second chamber, and drivingly connected to the gear mechanism in the second chamber. The electric motor is supported in the first chamber with at least either the first end portion or the second end portion locked to the motor support member.

With this configuration, mounting bosses for supporting a center section, which are formed in an HST chamber of a casing of a conventional hydraulic transaxle, can be utilized as they are to serve as mounting bosses formed in the first chamber. For an electric motor supported at its first end portion or the second end portion with a motor support member supported by fastening bolts to these mounting bosses, a motor output shaft can be journalled by the partition wall, similar to a motor shaft of a hydraulic motor supported by the center section in the HST chamber of the conventional transaxle, extended into the second chamber accommodating a gear mechanism, and drivingly connected to the gear mechanism. Therefore, the casing of the conventional hydraulic transaxle can be utilized as is to provide in a cost effective manner an electric transaxle accommodating, in the casing supporting axles, an electric motor and a gear mechanism for transmitting output of the electric motor to the axles.

The motor support member is formed with a first plate-shaped portion for locking either the first end portion or the second end portion of the electric motor. The motor support member is further formed with, perpendicular to the first plate-shaped portion, a second plate-shaped portion for supporting electrical components connected to the electric motor.

Therefore, the second plate-shaped portion of the motor support member for supporting the electrical components including a relay can be disposed by utilizing a space for supporting a hydraulic pump having a pump shaft at the center section in the HST chamber of the conventional hydraulic transaxle. Thus, in the first chamber configured to conform to a layout of the conventional HST, not only an electric motor, but also electrical components including a relay and an inverter can be accommodated in the space in a compact and effective manner.

The casing is formed by joining at least two housings at a joint plane. A surface for attaching the electrical components on the second plate-shaped portion of the motor support member is disposed in parallel to the joint plane.

Therefore, by separating or joining the at least two housings each other at the joint plane, the electric components can easily be installed or removed when installing or removing the electric motor into or from the first chamber. In addition, the surface of the second plate-shaped portion of the motor support member can be securely and widely provided for attaching the electrical components by disposing the surface in parallel to the joint plane.

A shaft center of the motor output shaft is further disposed on the joint plane.

Therefore, by separating or joining the at least two housings each other at the joint plane, when installing or removing the electric motor into or from the first chamber, the motor output shaft can easily be installed or removed.

In addition, since the electric motor and the electrical components are arranged in parallel along the joint plane and supported by the motor support member, a width of a space required for disposing the electric motor and the electrical components in a direction perpendicular to the joint plane can be minimized. As a result, in the first chamber in the casing, where an area is limited, the electric motor and the electrical components can be provided advantageously in terms of assembly, maintenance, and other tasks.

In the transaxle according to the first embodiment, the second end portion of the electric motor is locked to the first plate-shaped portion of the motor support member. Further, the first end portion of the electric motor is locked to the partition wall of the casing.

Therefore, a partition wall provided in a casing of a conventional hydraulic transaxle for journalling a motor shaft of a hydraulic motor can be used as is and served as a portion for locking the first end of the electric motor provided in the first chamber. A space for disposing the electric motor in the first chamber in a shaft center direction of the motor output shaft can further be reduced.

The transaxle according to the first embodiment further includes a motor mount member having a third plate-shaped portion parallel to the first plate-shaped portion of the motor support member. The first end portion of the electric motor is locked to the partition wall of the casing via the third plate-shaped portion of the motor mount member.

As described above, the motor mount member for locking the first end portion of the electric motor is a member having the third plate-shaped portion parallel to the first plate-shaped portion. With its simple configuration, where the partition wall of the casing is also approximately in parallel to the first plate-shaped portion, the partition wall for fitting the motor mount member can be additionally machined simply without requiring an increased cost.

Alternatively, in a transaxle according to a second embodiment, the first end portion of the electric motor is locked to the first plate-shaped portion of the motor support member. The casing is formed with a third plate-shaped portion parallel to the first plate-shaped portion. Further, the second end portion of the electric motor is locked to the third plate-shaped portion of the casing.

As described above, since the first and second end portions of the electric motor are locked to the first and third plate-shaped portions respectively formed on the motor support member and the casing, the number of members for supporting the electric motor can be reduced. In addition, even though the casing is formed with the third plate-shaped portion, since, among the first end portion and the second end portion of the electric motor, the first end portion that is closer to the partition wall than the second end portion is locked to the first plate-shaped portion of the motor support member in the first chamber, the partition wall of the casing is not required to be machined for locking the first end portion of the electric motor. As a result, processes for additionally machining a casing of a conventional hydraulic transaxle are prevented from being increased in number, which is advantageous for improved easiness of assembly and cost reduction.

Alternatively, in a transaxle according to a third embodiment, the second end portion of the electric motor is locked to the first plate-shaped portion of the motor support member. The transaxle according to the third embodiment includes a second motor support member having a third plate-shaped portion parallel to the first plate-shaped portion of the motor support member. The second motor support member is separably connected to the motor support member having the first plate-shaped portion, and disposed in the first chamber. The first end portion of the electric motor is locked to the third plate-shaped portion of the second motor support member.

As described above, since the two motor support members are respectively formed with the first and third plate-shaped portions for locking the first and second end portions of the electric motor, the partition wall of the casing is not required to be machined for locking the first end portion of the electric motor. As a result, processes for machining a conventional hydraulic transaxle can be reduced in number, which is advantageous for improved easiness of assembly and cost reduction.

Separably connecting the motor support member having the first and second plate-shaped portions, and the second motor support member having the third plate-shaped portion allows the electric motor to be removed easily from both the motor support members by separating the second motor support member from the motor support member having the first and second plate-shaped portions when removing the electric motor from the first chamber for maintenance or other purposes. This feature contributes to improved easiness of maintenance.

As described above, with transaxles each incorporated with an electric motor, according to some embodiments, since a casing of a conventional hydraulic transaxle, which is formed by joining at least two housings (for example, upper and lower housings), can be utilized as is, a production cost can be reduced.

These and other features and advantages of the embodiment will appear more fully from the following detailed description with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings which are meant to be exemplary, not limiting, and wherein like elements are numbered alike in several Figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a snow remover including a transaxle according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the transaxle according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plan cross sectional view of the transaxle according to the first embodiment, taken along line III-III and viewed in a direction of arrows shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front cross sectional view of the transaxle according to the first embodiment, taken along line IV-IV and viewed in a direction of arrows shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side cross sectional view of the transaxle according to the first embodiment, taken along line V-V and viewed in a direction of arrows shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a partial rear cross sectional view of the transaxle according to the first embodiment, taken along line VI-VI and viewed in a direction of arrows shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an attachment aspect of an electric motor on the transaxle according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a plan cross sectional view of a transaxle according to a second embodiment, viewed in a similar manner to the plan cross sectional view taken along line III-III and viewed in the direction of the arrows shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is a front cross sectional view of the transaxle according to the second embodiment, taken along line IX-IX and viewed in a direction of arrows shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a side cross sectional view of the transaxle according to the second embodiment, taken along line X-X and viewed in a direction of arrows shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a plan cross sectional view of a transaxle according to a third embodiment, viewed in a similar manner to the plan cross sectional view taken along line III-III and viewed in the direction of the arrows shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 12 is a front cross sectional view of the transaxle according to the third embodiment, taken along line XII-XII and viewed in a direction of arrows shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a side cross sectional view of the transaxle according to the third embodiment, taken along line XIII-XIII and viewed in a direction of arrows shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating an attachment aspect of an electric motor on the transaxle according to the third embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As a typical example of a work vehicle to be applied with a transaxle 1 according to a first embodiment, a snow remover 100 shown in FIG. 1 will now be described herein.

In snow remover 100, transaxle 1 according to the present invention is supported at a front of a vehicle body frame schematically shown in the drawing. Transaxle 1 is an electric transaxle including a transaxle casing 2 for supporting left and right axles 3 (a left axle 3L and a right axle 3R (See FIG. 3)), and for accommodating an electric motor 4 that is a drive source of left and right axles 3, and that will be described later, and other components (See FIG. 3 and other drawings).

Drive sprockets 101 are respectively fixed on outer ends of left and right axles 3 journalled by transaxle casing 2 supported at the front of the vehicle body frame. On the other hand, left and right driven sprockets 102 are journalled at a rear of the vehicle body frame. Crawlers 103 are respectively winded between left drive sprocket 101 and left driven sprocket 102 and between right drive sprocket 101 and right driven sprocket 102.

On the vehicle body frame, a battery 104 that is an energy source for electric motor 4 accommodated in transaxle casing 2 is mounted, and, at the front of the vehicle body frame, a snow removing plate 105 is supported. Left and right handles 106 extend in an upper rear direction from the vehicle body frame. An operation panel 107 is provided between left and right handles 106. On operation panel 107, a gear shifting and forward-backward switching lever 108 for determining a rotational direction and a rotational speed of electric motor 4 is provided.

Next, transaxle 1 will now be described herein with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7.

As shown in FIG. 5, transaxle casing 2 of transaxle 1 is configured by tightening with vertical bolts 30 peripheral portions of an upper housing 21 and a lower housing 22 each other joined at a horizontal joint plane J.

On upper housing 21, as shown in FIG. 3, a left axle hole 21a and a right axle hole 21b respectively extending in a horizontal direction on an identical shaft center are formed. Left axle 3L is inserted into left axle hole 21a, and right axle 3R is inserted into right axle hole 21b. Left and right axles 3L and 3R are both journalled by upper housing 21 via radial bearings 27 each provided at outer end portions of left and right axle holes 21a and 21b.

Inside transaxle casing 2 formed by joining upper and lower housings 21 and 22, a gear chamber 2b extending in a direction that is a front-back direction of snow remover 100 is formed, where left axle hole 21a extends leftward from a front of gear chamber 2b, and right axle hole 21b extends rightward from the front of gear chamber 2b.

Behind left axle hole 21a, a motor chamber 2a is formed so as to position next to left of a rear of gear chamber 2b. Between motor chamber 2a and gear chamber 2b, a partition wall 2c configured by upper and lower housings 21 and 22 is formed to extend in an approximately front-back direction.

Although above descriptions regarding directions and positions of members and portions premise that, in snow remover 100, support portions of axles 3 in transaxle casing 2 are disposed forward from motor chamber 2a in transaxle casing 2, transaxle 1 may be applied to a vehicle such that the support portions of axles 3 in transaxle casing 2 are disposed behind motor chamber 2a in transaxle casing 2.

In addition, transaxle 1 may be applied such that upper housing 21 and lower housing 22 are vertically inverted, transaxle 1 may be provided such that housings 21 and 22 are disposed in a front-back direction (so as to become perpendicular to joint plane J), or transaxle 1 may be applied with other forms.

This can also be said to a transaxle 51 according to a second embodiment and a transaxle 61 according to a third embodiment to be described later.

At the front of gear chamber 2b, a differential gear mechanism 20 that couples in a differential manner inner ends of left and right axles 3L and 3R is accommodated. Differential gear mechanism 20 is formed by combining a bull gear 23, bevel differential pinions 24, and a left and right pair of bevel differential side gears 25.

At a center of bull gear 23, a shaft hole 23a is provided in a horizontal direction. Inner end portions of left axle 3L and right axle 3R are engaged into shaft hole 23a. Along left and right side faces of bull gear 23, bevel differential side gears 25 are respectively fixed on left and right axles 3L and 3R. On bull gear 23, a pair of pinion holes is symmetrically formed around shaft hole 23a, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, and, in each of the pinion holes, bevel differential pinions 24 are respectively pivot-supported via pinion shafts 24a. Bevel differential pinions 24 respectively engage left and right bevel differential side gears 25.

Near outsides on left and right of bevel differential side gears 25 in gear chamber 2b, axles 3L and 3R are journalled by radial bearings 26.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, in motor chamber 2a, three mounting bosses 21c, 21d, and 21e are formed on upper housing 21 so as to be suspended downwardly from a portion regarded as a ceiling of motor chamber 2a. Mounting bosses 21c, 21d, and 21e respectively have a vertical bolt hole (screw hole) perpendicular to joint plane J. Lower end surfaces of mounting bosses 21c, 21d, and 21e where lower ends of bolt holes open are horizontal surfaces and all arranged at identical heights.

Mounting boss 21c is disposed at a rear left corner of motor chamber 2a. Mounting boss 21d is disposed at a front left corner of motor chamber 2a. Mounting boss 21e is disposed at a front right corner of motor chamber 2a. Mounting bosses 21c and 21d are arranged on an approximately straight line in a front-back direction along a left end wall of motor chamber 2a. A motor support member 5 is fastened with bolts to and supported by these three mounting bosses 21c, 21d, and 21e.

Motor support member 5 is an entirely flat plate material. A rear half portion of motor support member 5 is a motor support portion 5a extending in a front-back direction, having a narrow width in a horizontal direction, and forming, at its right end, a vertical, disk-shaped motor boss portion 5f having a recess 5f1 opening rightward. A front half portion of motor support member 5 is a horizontal plate-shaped electrical component support portion 5b swelled rightward than motor boss portion 5f formed at a right end of motor support portion 5a, i.e. the rear half portion of motor support member 5, and its flat top surface is served as a horizontal electrical component mounting surface 5b1 parallel to joint plane J.

On motor support member 5, a rear end portion of motor support portion 5a, and a left front portion and a right front portion of electrical component support portion 5b are respectively formed with vertical bolt holes 5c, 5d, and 5e. A horizontal surface of motor support member 5 where upper ends of bolt holes 5c, 5d, and 5e open is a surface flush to electrical component mounting surface 5b1. By joining this surface with the lower end surfaces of mounting bosses 21c, 21d, and 21e, bolt holes 5c, 5d, and 5e align with the bolt holes of mounting bosses 21c, 21d, and 21e as will be described later.

Electrical component mounting surface 5b1 is installed with a relay 9 in this embodiment. However, instead of (or in addition to) relay 9, other electrical components including an inverter may be installed. In this manner, “relay 9” described below is replaceable with other electrical components including an inverter.

Since electrical component support portion 5b including electrical component mounting surface 5b1 positions close to electric motor 4 supported by motor support portion 5a of motor support member 5 as will be described later, a wiring distance between relay 9 installed in here and electric motor 4 can be reduced. Thus, installation of electric motor 4 and relay 9 as a set into motor chamber 2a can be easier.

Electric motor 4 includes a cylindrical motor casing 41 accommodating a stator and a rotor (not shown in the drawings). Motor output shaft 7 extends from an end of motor casing 41. An end portion of motor casing 41 from which motor output shaft 7 extends is served as a first end portion 4a of electric motor 4, and an opposite end portion of motor casing 41 from which motor output shaft 7 does not extend is served as a second end portion 4b of electric motor 4.

On electric motor 4, a plurality of tabs 41a (four in this embodiment) are further formed to protrude outwardly in diameter directions from an outer peripheral surface of motor casing 41 near first end portion 4a. Each of tabs 41a is formed with a screw hole passing in a horizontal direction.

A motor mount member 6 is used to assemble electric motor 4 into transaxle casing 2. Motor mount member 6 is a vertical plate-shaped member having rectangular left and right side faces, where, on its upper end portion and lower end portion, locking pieces 6d and 6e are symmetrically formed. A center of motor mount member 6 is formed in a vertical plate shape parallel to vertical plate-shaped motor boss portion 5f of motor support member 5. At the center of motor mount member 6, a motor shaft hole 6a passing in a horizontal direction is formed, where a right end portion of motor shaft hole 6a is increased in diameter to form a circular recess 6b. Around recess 6b, screw holes 6c are formed at positions corresponding to tabs 41a.

As shown in FIG. 7 and other drawings, by engaging first end portion 4a of electric motor 4 into recess 6b of motor mount member 6, motor output shaft 7 is inserted into motor shaft hole 6a. In addition, by allowing tabs 41a and a left side face of motor mount member 6 to abut, and inserting screws 42 into screw holes of tabs 41a, and further threading screws 42 into screw holes 6c of motor mount member 6, electric motor 4 is fixed, at its first end portion 4a, to motor mount member 6. Motor output shaft 7 inserted into motor shaft hole 6a further extends rightward from a right side face of motor mount member 6, and a bearing 8 is provided around this rightward-extended portion.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 and other drawings, partition wall 2c formed between motor chamber 2a and gear chamber 2b is configured by joining an upper partition wall portion 21f formed on upper housing 21 and a lower partition wall portion 22a formed on lower housing 22 when joining upper and lower housings 21 and 22.

On upper partition wall portion 21f, an approximately half-cylindrical recess 21g is formed. Around a left end portion of recess 21g facing motor chamber 2a, a cut-away section 21h having an approximately rectangular shape when viewed from a side is also formed. Along a top edge of cut-away section 21h, a locking groove 21h1 is formed. On the other hand, lower partition wall portion 22a is also formed with an approximately half-cylindrical recess 22b. Around a left end portion of recess 22b facing motor chamber 2a, a cut-away section 22c having an approximately rectangular shape when viewed from a side is also formed. Along a lower edge of cut-away section 22c, a locking groove 22c1 is also formed.

Before joining upper housing 21 and lower housing 22, as described above, a half portion of an outer peripheral surface of bearing 8 mounted on motor output shaft 7 protruded from motor mount member 6 attached with first end portion 4a of electric motor 4 is joined to an inner peripheral surface of recess 21g of upper housing 21, and a side of a locking piece 6d of motor mount member 6 is engaged into locking groove 21h1 to fit an upper half portion of motor mount member 6 to cut-away section 21h.

Further, as described above, by aligning each of the bolt holes of mounting bosses 21c, 21d, and 21e with bolt holes 5c, 5d, and 5e of motor support member 5 attached with second end portion 4b of electric motor 4, and threading bolts 31, 32, and 33 into mounting bosses 21c, 21d, and 21e via bolt holes 5c, 5d, and 5e, electric motor 4, motor support member 5, and motor mount member 6 are positioned and installed in upper housing 21.

When joining lower housing 22 to upper housing 21 configured as described above, a remaining half portion of the outer peripheral surface of bearing 8 is joined to an inner peripheral surface of recess 22b of lower housing 21, and another side of locking piece 6e of motor mount member 6 is engaged into locking groove 22c1 to fit a lower half portion of motor mount member 6 to cut-away section 22c.

When upper partition wall portion 21f and lower partition wall portion 22a join as described above, recess 21g and recess 22b align to form an approximately cylindrical motor shaft hole 2d passing through partition wall 2c. In this motor shaft hole 2d, motor output shaft 7 is journalled by transaxle casing 2 via bearing 8.

After cut-away section 21h and cut-away section 22c align, a cut-away section 2e having an approximately rectangular shape when viewed from a rear is formed on partition wall 2c, as shown in FIG. 6 and other drawings. Motor mount member 6 attached with first end portion 4a of electric motor 4 is engaged into this cut-away section 2e. In this state, while locking pieces 6d and 6e are engaged into locking grooves 21h1 and 22c1 of upper and lower housings 21 and 22, motor mount member 6 is locked to transaxle casing 2.

That is, motor support member 5 attached with second end portion 4b of electric motor 4 is fastened by only upper housing 21. On the other hand, motor mount member 6 attached with first end portion 4a of electric motor 4 is clamped and locked by upper housing 21 and lower housing 22.

As described above, electric motor 4 has been assembled into motor chamber 2a of transaxle casing 2. In this state, a right end portion of motor output shaft 7 of electric motor 4 is disposed in a rear portion of gear chamber 2b via motor shaft hole 2d.

In the rear portion of gear chamber 2b, reduction gear mechanism 10 for transmitting rotational power of motor output shaft 7 to differential gear mechanism 20 is accommodated. Reduction gear mechanism 10 includes a motor output gear 11, a counter shaft 12, and a large diameter counter gear 13 and a small diameter counter gear 14 provided around counter shaft 12.

Between a right portion of motor output shaft 7 disposed in gear chamber 2b and differential gear mechanism 20, counter shaft 12 extends in parallel to motor output shaft 7 and axles 3L and 3R, as described above, and its shaft center is disposed on joint plane J as described above.

That is, as described above, when upper housing 21 and lower housing 22 join at joint plane J, a right end portion of counter shaft 12 is clamped between a right wall portion of upper housing 21 and a right wall portion of lower housing 22, and a left end portion of counter shaft 12 is clamped between upper partition wall portion 21f of upper housing 21 and lower partition wall portion 22a of lower housing 22.

Counter shaft 12 is attached with small diameter counter gear 14 having a cylindrical shape ranging from a left end to a right end of gear chamber 2b to engage bull gear 23 of differential gear mechanism 20. Small diameter counter gear 14 is fixed with large diameter counter gear 13 to engage motor output gear 11. In such a manner, gears 11, 13, 14, and 23 configures a reduction gear train.

Motor output gear 11 is formed with a brake disk 11a. In gear chamber 2b, a brake shoe 18 and a brake pad 19 are provided so as to pinch brake disk 11a. Opposite to brake disk 11a with brake shoe 18 interposed, a vertical brake camshaft 17 is provided.

Brake camshaft 17 is rotatably supported around its vertical shaft center by transaxle casing 2 (upper housing 21 and/or lower housing 22). Its upper end or lower end is disposed outside transaxle casing 2. A brake arm 16 is fixed to an end portion of this brake camshaft 17. Brake arm 16 is linked to a brake operation tool such as a brake lever (not shown in the drawings) provided on either of handles 106 of snow remover 100.

By operating the brake operation tool to rotate brake arm 16 and brake camshaft 17, brake shoe 18 presses brake disk 11a onto brake pad 19 to apply a brake to motor output shaft 7, and thus a brake is applied to axles 3.

As described above, brake disk 11a, brake arm 16, brake camshaft 17, brake shoe 18, brake pad 19, and other components configure a brake 15 for motor output shaft 7.

Electric motor 4 can rotate reversely. Thus, by determining a rotational direction through an operation of gear shifting and forward-backward switching lever 108, electric motor 4 can drive axles 3 forward or backward. Electric motor 4 is adjustable in its rotational speed through a voltage control or another control in accordance with an operation position of gear shifting and forward-backward switching lever 108, and drives axles 3 at a speed corresponding to the adjusted rotational speed.

That is, transaxle 1 according to the first embodiment includes axles 3, transaxle casing 2 that supports axles 3, and that is internally formed with motor chamber 2a and gear chamber 2b, electric motor 4 accommodated in motor chamber 2a, and reduction gear mechanism 10 accommodated in gear chamber 2b to transmit output of electric motor 4 to axles 3.

In transaxle casing 2, mounting bosses 21c, 21d, and 21e are formed in motor chamber 2a so as to be suspended from the ceiling of motor chamber 2a. In motor chamber 2a, motor support member 5 fastened with bolts 31, 32, and 33 to mounting bosses 21c, 21d, and 21e is provided.

Electric motor 4 includes first end portion 4a from which motor output shaft 7 protrudes, and second end portion 4b opposite to first end portion 4a. Motor output shaft 7 is journalled by partition wall 2c formed between motor chamber 2a and gear chamber 2b in transaxle casing 2, extended into gear chamber 2b, and, in gear chamber 2b, drivingly connected to reduction gear mechanism 10. Electric motor 4 is supported in motor chamber 2a with its second end portion 4b locked to motor support member 5.

By using as they are a transaxle casing 2, axles 3, a reduction gear mechanism 10, a brake 15, and a differential gear mechanism 20 of a conventional hydraulic transaxle as disclosed in “'577,” and diverting a chamber served as an HST chamber for accommodating an HST in transaxle casing 2 into a motor chamber 2a for accommodating an electric motor 4 and a relay 9, an electric transaxle 1 configured as described above can be configured easily in a cost effective manner.

When second end portion 4b of electric motor 4 is supported, which is opposite to first end portion 4a from which motor output shaft 7 protrudes, motor support member 5 for supporting second end portion 4b of electric motor 4 can be supported, when accommodating an HST, by using as they are mounting bosses 21c, 21d, and 21e used to support a center section (oil passage plate) of the HST.

In transaxle 1 according to the first embodiment, motor support member 5 is formed with a plate-shaped motor boss portion 5f for locking second end portion 4b of electric motor 4. This motor support member 5 is further formed with, perpendicular to motor boss portion 5f, a plate-shaped electrical component support portion 5b for supporting the electrical components including relay 9 connected to electric motor 4.

As described above, electric motor 4 with which horizontal motor output shaft 7 extends into gear chamber 2b can be provided by utilizing as is a space for providing a hydraulic motor having a horizontal motor shaft, which is included in an HST. On the other hand, the electrical components including relay 9 can be disposed by utilizing as is a space for disposing a hydraulic pump having a vertical pump shaft, which is conventionally disposed between a hydraulic motor and a support portion for axles 3 in transaxle casing 2 in front of the hydraulic motor.

That is, not only electric motor 4, but also relay 9 (and (or) other electrical components including an inverter) can be accommodated in motor chamber 2a configured to conform to a layout of a conventional HST in a compact manner without wasting any space.

In addition, motor support member 5 fastened with bolts to mounting bosses 21c, 21d, and 21e for supporting second end portion 4b of electric motor 4 and relay 9 can be configured in a cost effective manner by utilizing, for example, a mold modified based on a mold used for the oil passage plate, since its entire shape will naturally become similar to an entire shape of an oil passage plate used in a conventional hydraulic transaxle.

In addition, in transaxle 1 according to the first embodiment, transaxle casing 2 is formed by joining upper and lower housings 21 and 22 at joint plane J, where electrical component mounting surface 5b1 of motor support portion 5b of motor support member 5, which is used for supporting relay 9, is disposed horizontally and in parallel to joint plane J.

Therefore, by separating or joining housings 21 and 22 each other at joint plane J, relay 9 that is one of the electrical components can be easily installed or removed when removing or installing electric motor 4 from or into motor chamber 2a. In addition, electrical component mounting surface 5b1 of motor support member 5 can be securely and widely provided for attaching the electrical components including relay 9 by disposing electrical component mounting surface 5b1 in parallel to joint plane J.

A shaft center of motor output shaft 7 is further disposed on joint plane J. By separating or joining housings 21 and 22 each other, motor output shaft 7 can easily be installed or removed when installing or removing electric motor 4 into or from motor chamber 2a.

In addition, since electric motor 4 and relay 9 that is one of the electrical components are arranged in parallel along joint plane J and supported by motor support member 5, a width of a space required for disposing electric motor 4 and electrical components 9 in a vertical direction perpendicular to joint plane J can be minimized. As a result, in motor chamber 2a in transaxle casing 2, where a height is limited, electric motor 4 and relay 9 can be provided advantageously in terms of assembly, maintenance, and other tasks.

In transaxle 1 according to the first embodiment, electric motor 4 is locked to partition wall 2c of transaxle casing 2.

Therefore, a partition wall 2c provided in a casing of a conventional hydraulic transaxle for journalling a motor shaft of a hydraulic motor can be used as is and served as a portion for locking first end portion 4a of electric motor 4. A space for disposing electric motor 4 in gear chamber 2a in a shaft center direction of motor output shaft 7 can further be reduced.

Transaxle 1 further includes motor mount member 6 having a plate-shaped portion parallel to motor boss portion 4f of motor support member 4. First end portion 4a of electric motor 4 is locked to partition wall 2c via the plate-shaped portion of motor mount member 6.

As described above, motor mount member 6 for locking first end portion 4a of electric motor 4 is a member having the plate-shaped portion parallel to motor boss portion 5f of motor support member 5. With its simple configuration, where partition wall 2c of transaxle casing 2 is also a vertical wall parallel to motor boss portion 5f, partition wall 2c for fitting motor mount member 6 can be additionally machined simply without requiring an increased cost.

As described above, with transaxle 1 incorporated with electric motor 4, according to the first embodiment, a casing of a conventional hydraulic transaxle, which is formed by joining upper and lower housings 21 and 22, can be utilized as is as transaxle casing 2, and thus its production cost can be reduced.

On upper housing 21 of transaxle casing 2, as shown in FIG. 2, boss holes 21i and 21j opening outwardly from motor chamber 2a are formed in a left-and-right, horizontal direction.

When an HST is accommodated in motor chamber 2a, these boss holes are served as boss holes for journalling a trunnion shaft for movable swash plates of a hydraulic pump having a vertical pump shaft, or boss holes for supporting a pin clamped by a neutral return spring. However, similar to electric transaxle 1 according to this embodiment, when electric motor 4 and relay 9 are accommodated in motor chamber 2a, boss hole 21i or 21j can be used, as shown in FIG. 1, as a hole for passing through a wire W to be connected to relay 9. An unused boss hole may be plugged with a plug.

Furthermore, since a shaft hole 21k is formed on an upper end portion of upper housing 21 of transaxle casing 2 for journalling a vertical pump shaft of a hydraulic pump of an HST when a transaxle is served as a hydraulic transaxle, this shaft hole 21k may be used for inserting wire W.

By using motor chamber 2a as a moist chamber, more efficient cooling of electrical components including electric motor 4 and relay 9 disposed in motor chamber 2a can be expected.

In transaxle casing 2 served as a casing of a hydraulic transaxle, an oil passage has conventionally been formed in partition wall 2c to allow oil to communicate between motor chamber 2a and gear chamber 2b so as to share the oil in lubricating and operating an HST disposed in motor chamber 2a, and in lubricating gears in gear chamber 2b.

In addition, in order to prevent the HST in motor chamber 2a from being impaired in operation due to the oil mixed with iron powder generated from gears engaged in gear chamber 2b when the oil flows from gear chamber 2b into motor chamber 2a through this oil passage, a magnet formed in a disk shape or another shape has conventionally been provided and disposed near an inlet of the oil passage in gear chamber 2b in transaxle casing 2, for example.

Therefore, when disposing electric motor 4 in motor chamber 2a, instead of an HST, similar to transaxle 1 according to this embodiment, the oil passage on partition wall 2c can be used to introduce into motor chamber 2a gear lubricating oil used in gear chamber 2b as cooling oil for electric motor 4 and other components. In addition, the magnet can be served as is to prevent iron powder mixed in oil in gear chamber 2b from being mixed into the oil introduced into motor chamber 2a. As a result, motor chamber 2a can be provided as a moist chamber presenting superior cooling efficiency.

Next, transaxle 51 shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, which is the second embodiment of an electric transaxle applicable as a transaxle for snow remover 100, will now be described herein.

A transaxle casing 52 of transaxle 51 is formed by joining an upper housing 53 and a lower housing 54 at horizontal joint plane J, and then tightening with bolts 30 upper and lower housings 53 and 54. In transaxle casing 52, in a similar layout with which axle holes 21a and 21b, motor chamber 2a, gear chamber 2b, partition wall 2c, and motor shaft hole 2d are arranged in transaxle casing 2, axle holes 53a and 53b, a motor chamber 52a, a gear chamber 52b, a partition wall 52c, and a motor shaft hole 52d are formed. With axle holes 53a and 53b, left and right axles 3L and 3R are journalled. In gear chamber 52b, reduction gear mechanism 10, brake 15, and differential gear mechanism 20 are accommodated in a similar manner as described above.

In motor chamber 52a, in a similar layout with which mounting bosses 21c, 21d, and 21e are arranged in transaxle casing 2, mounting bosses 53c, 53d, and 53e are formed on upper housing 53 so as to be suspended from a ceiling of motor chamber 52a.

Upper housing 53 is further formed with vertical plate-shaped motor support plate portions 53f, 53g, and 53h so as to be suspended from the ceiling of motor chamber 52a. Motor support plate portion 53f extends in a front-back direction. At front and rear of motor support plate portion 53f, motor support plate portions 53g and 53h extend in a horizontal direction in parallel each other.

In transaxle 51, motor support member 55 is used as a member for supporting motor casing 41 of electric motor 4 in motor chamber 52a.

Motor support member 55 is an entirely flat plate material, and formed with bolt holes 55c, 55d, and 55e, similar to bolt holes 5c, 5d, and 5e, so as to be fastened with bolts 31, 32, and 33 to mounting bosses 53c, 53d, and 53e.

Boss members 56, 57, and 58 have each been provided in line with bolt holes 55c, 55d, and 55e, and respectively interposed between mounting bosses 53c, 53d, and 53e and motor support member 55 to fill a height gap between mounting bosses 53c, 53d, and 53e and motor support member 55. However, mounting bosses 53c, 53d, and 53e and motor support member 55 respectively may abut directly by extending mounting bosses 53c, 53d, and 53e longer downwardly, forming, on motor support member 55, upwardly protruded boss portions respectively having bolt holes 55c, 55d, and 55e, or taking other measures.

Similar to electrical component support portion 5b of motor support member 5, motor support member 55 is formed with, in a horizontal direction parallel to joint plane J between housings 21 and 22, an electrical component support portion 55b having a flat electrical component mounting surface 55b1 for attaching relay 9.

On the other hand, electric motor 4 has been supported in transaxle 1 described above in such a manner that motor support member 5 is formed with motor support portion 5a having a smaller width in a horizontal direction and extending in a front-back direction, second end portion 4b of electric motor 4 is engaged into and supported by motor boss portion 5f formed on a left end of motor support portion 5a, while first end portion 4a of electric motor 4 is engaged into and supported by motor mount member 6, instead of motor support member 5, and this motor mount member 6 is locked to partition wall 2c of transaxle casing 2, and, simultaneously, motor output shaft 7 is inserted into motor mount member 6.

In contrast, in transaxle 51, as motor support portion 55a for supporting a bottom end portion of electric motor 4, a rear portion of motor support member 55 is extended in a horizontal direction under electric motor 4, motor support portion 55a is formed with a fitting portion 55f formed to fit an outer peripheral surface of a bottom of motor casing 41 of electric motor 4, fitting portion 55f fits the bottom of motor casing 41 of electric motor 4, and motor support portion 55a supports electric motor 4 from beneath.

Further, a right end of this motor support portion 55a is bent upwardly to form an L shape when viewed from front to form a vertical plate portion 55g, and first end portion 4a of electric motor 4 fits and supports this vertical plate portion 55g. This vertical plate portion 55g is not locked to partition wall 52c of transaxle casing 52, but disposed, away from partition wall 52c, in motor chamber 52a. This vertical plate portion 55g is further formed with a motor shaft hole 55g1. Motor output shaft 7 protruding from first end portion 4a extends rightward from vertical plate portion 55g of motor support member 55 via motor shaft hole 55g1.

As described above, by fitting the bottom of motor casing 41 of electric motor 4 with fitting portion 55f of motor support portion 55a, fitting first end portion 4a of electric motor 4 with vertical plate portion 55g, and disposing motor output shaft 7 so as to pass through motor shaft hole 55g1, electric motor 4 is mounted onto motor support member 55. By installing electric motor 4 and motor support member 55 assembled in such a manner into motor chamber 52a, motor output shaft 7 of electric motor 4 is journalled by motor shaft hole 52d of partition wall 52c of transaxle casing 52 via bearing 8 to extend into gear chamber 52b.

On second end portion 4b of electric motor 4 disposed in motor chamber 52a in such a manner, motor support plate portion 53f formed on upper housing 53 abuts, and, at front and rear of motor support plate portion 53f, motor support plate portions 53g and 53h respectively abut a front end portion and a rear end portion of motor casing 41 of electric motor 4.

When electric motor 4 supported by motor support member 55 is positioned to upper housing 53 in such a manner, bolt holes 55c, 55d, and 55e of motor support member 55 are respectively positioned so as to correspond to bolt holes of mounting bosses 53c, 53d, and 53e of upper housing 53. Thus, by threading respective bolts 31, 32, and 33 into mounting bosses 53c, 53d, and 53e via bolt holes 55c, 55d, and 55e and boss members 56, 57, and 58, motor support member 55 can be fastened to upper housing 53 to finish assembling of electric motor 4 being supported by motor support member 55 into motor chamber 52a.

As described above, in transaxle 51 according to the second embodiment, first end portion 4a of electric motor 4 is locked to vertical plate portion 55g of motor support member 55. Transaxle casing 52 is formed with motor support plate portion 53f parallel to vertical plate portion 55g. Further, second end portion 4b of electric motor 4 is locked to motor support plate portion 53f of transaxle casing 52.

In contrast to transaxle 1 that has required two members, i.e. motor support member 5 and motor mount member 6, for supporting electric motor 4 in motor chamber 2a, transaxle 51 can therefore support electric motor 4 in motor chamber 52a using motor support member 55 only. As a result, the number of components for supporting electric motor 4 can be reduced.

In addition, even though transaxle casing 52 is formed with motor support plate portion 53f (and motor support plate portions 53g and 53h), since, among first end portion 4a and second end portion 4b of electric motor 4, first end portion 4a that is closer to partition wall 52c than second end portion 4b is locked to vertical plate portion 55g of motor support member 55 in motor chamber 52a, partition wall 52c of transaxle casing 52 is not required to be machined for locking first end portion 4a of electric motor 4. As a result, processes for additionally machining a casing of a conventional hydraulic transaxle are prevented from being increased in number, which is advantageous for improved easiness of assembly and cost reduction.

Similar to transaxle 1, in transaxle 51, vertical plate portion 55g of motor support member 55 is formed perpendicular to plate-shaped electrical component support portion 55b, and electrical component mounting surface 55b1 of electrical component support portion 55b is a horizontal surface parallel to joint plane J between upper and lower housings 53 and 54 each other. A shaft center of motor output shaft 7 is also disposed on joint plane J. Effects through this configuration are identical to effects through a configuration similar to a configuration of transaxle 1. In addition, other configurations of transaxle 51 and effects through the configurations are similar to the effects through transaxle 1.

As described above, for transaxle 51 incorporated with an electric motor, according to the second embodiment, a casing of a conventional hydraulic transaxle formed by joining at least two housings (upper and lower housings) can be used as is. As a result, a production cost can be reduced.

Next, transaxle 61 will now be described herein, as the third embodiment of an electric transaxle shown in FIGS. 11 to 14.

Transaxle 61 uses transaxle casing 52 of transaxle 51. However, transaxle casing 52 of transaxle 51 differs in that vertical plate-shaped motor support plate portions 53f, 53g, and 53h are not formed on upper housing 53.

Transaxle 61 uses electric motor 4, but motor casing 41 is not provided. That is, in electric motor 4 of transaxle 61, rotor 43, i.e. an iron core, is fixed to motor output shaft 7, and cylindrical stator 44 is provided so as to surround rotor 43. Stator 44 is provided with an armature coil 44a.

A ring-shaped end cover 45 is disposed on a right side of stator 44, and, into its center hole, motor output shaft 7 protruding from a right end of rotor 43 is inserted so as to extend into gear chamber 52b.

Bearing support member 63 for supporting a bearing 46 is further disposed on a right side of end cover 45. Motor output shaft 7 protruding from end cover 45 is inserted into this bearing 46. This bearing support member 63 is tightened with bolts 47 to stator 44 together with end cover 45 provided between bearing support member 63 and a right end of stator 44. Thus, end cover 45, bearing 46, bearing support member 63, and other components configure first end portion 4a of electric motor 4.

A ring-shaped end cover 48 is disposed on a left side of stator 44. A left end portion of motor output shaft 7 also protrudes form a left end of rotor 43, and the left end portion of motor output shaft 7 is inserted into a center hole of end cover 48.

A bearing support portion 62f formed on motor support member 62 to be descried later is further disposed on a left side of end cover 48 with bearing 49 supported. A left end of motor output shaft 7 protruding from end cover 48 is engaged into this bearing 49. This bearing support portion 62f is tightened with bolts 50 to stator 44 together with end cover 48 provided between bearing support portion 62f and a left end of stator 44. Thus, end cover 48, bearing 49, bearing support portion 62f, and other components configure second end portion 4b of electric motor 4.

Motor support member 62 is an entirely flat plate material, is similar to motor support member 55, and is formed with bolt holes 62c, 62d, and 62e, similar to bolt holes 55c, 55d, and 55e, so as to be fastened with bolts 31, 32, and 33 to mounting bosses 53c, 53d, and 53e via boss members 56, 57, and 58 (or so as to abut directly mounting bosses 53c, 53d, and 53e). Motor support member 62 is formed with an electrical component support portion 62b for attaching the electrical components including relay 9, similar to electrical component support portion 55b of motor support member 55.

While a front half portion of motor support member 62 forms electrical component support portion 62b, its rear half portion forms a flat motor support portion 62a largely disposed under electric motor 4. This motor support portion 62a is formed with a vertical plate-shaped bearing support portion 62f extended upwardly to configure second end portion 4b of electric motor 4 as described above. A vertical joint surface 62g is formed on a right end of motor support portion 62a, and a bolt hole 62h opens on this joint surface 62g.

On the other hand, a vertical joint surface 63a is formed on a lower end portion of bearing support member 63 so as to face joint surface 62g of motor support member 62. A bolt hole 63b is formed on the lower end portion of bearing support member 63 in a horizontal direction so as to open on this joint surface 63a. By aligning this bolt hole 63b with bolt hole 62h, joint surface 63a and joint surface 62g join. Further, bolts 64 are inserted into bolt holes 63b and 62h, and bearing support member 63 is tightened to motor support member 62.

When assembling electric motor 4, the left end of stator 44 is fixed to bearing support portion 62f of motor support member 62 via end cover 48 or another component. That is, by first configuring second end portion 4b of electric motor 4, joining joint surface 63a of bearing support member 63 with joint surface 62g of motor support member 62, positioning bearing support member 63 onto a right side of electric motor 4, fastening bearing support member 63 with bolts 64 to motor support member 62, and further fixing bearing support member 63 with bolts 47 via end cover 45 to the right end of stator 44, first end portion 4a of electric motor 4 is configured, and thus, assembling electric motor 4 into motor support member 62 completes.

In contrast, by loosening bolts 47 to remove bearing support member 63 from the right end of stator 44, and loosening bolts 64 to remove bearing support member 63 from motor support member 62, first end portion 4a of electric motor 4 can be disassembled. After that, by loosening bolts 50 or taking other measures to remove stator 44 from bearing support portion 62f, second end portion 4b of electric motor 4 can easily be disassembled.

As described above, electric motor 4 used in transaxle 61 does not use motor casing 41. This means that, since stator 44 and rotor 43 can easily be exposed by disassembling members configuring first end portion 4a and second end portion 4b, maintenance operations can be simplified.

Tasks including disassembling of first end portion 4a of electric motor 4, separation of bearing support member 63 from motor support member 62, and further disassembling of second end portion 4b of electric motor 4 can be carried out while motor support member 62 is fastened with bolts 31, 32, and 33 to upper housing 53. Thus, without installing or removing motor support member 62 into or from upper housing 53, electric motor 4 can only be disassembled. This feature can also enhance easiness of maintenance.

Furthermore, bearing support member 63, end cover 45, and other components configuring first end portion 4a are not locked to transaxle casing 52, and can be handled separately from transaxle casing 52. Therefore, by loosening bolts 31, 32, and 33, and removing from upper housing 53 motor support member 62 being fastened to bearing support member 63, electric motor 4 with first end portion 4a and second end portion 4b configured by bearing support member 63 and motor support member 62 can be removed as a set from transaxle casing 2. Therefore, outside transaxle casing 2, electric motor 4 can easily be assembled or disassembled.

As described above, in transaxle 61 according to the third embodiment, second end portion 4b of electric motor 4 is locked to plate-shaped bearing support portion 62f of motor support member 62. In addition, transaxle 61 includes bearing support member 63 having a vertical plate-shaped portion parallel to bearing support portion 62f of motor support member 62. Bearing support member 63 is separably connected to motor support member 62, and disposed in motor chamber 52a. First end portion 4a of electric motor 4 is locked to the vertical plate-shaped portion of bearing support member 63.

As described above, since the vertical plate-shaped portion (including bearing support portion 62f) is formed for locking first and second end portions 4a and 4b of electric motor 4 to motor support member 62 and bearing support member 63, partition wall 52c of transaxle casing 52 is not required to be machined for locking first end portion 4a of electric motor 4. As a result, processes for additionally machining a casing of a conventional hydraulic transaxle are prevented from being increased in number, which is advantageous for improved easiness of assembly and cost reduction.

Separably connecting motor support member 62 having bearing support portion 62f and electrical component support portion 62b, and bearing support member 63 having a vertical plate-shaped portion allows electric motor 4 to be removed easily from motor support member 62 and bearing support member 63 by separating bearing support member 63 from motor support member 62 when removing electric motor 4 from motor chamber 52a for maintenance or other purposes. This feature contributes to improved easiness of maintenance.

Similar to transaxle 1 and transaxle 51, in transaxle 61, bearing support portion 62f of motor support member 62 is formed perpendicular to plate-shaped electrical component support portion 62b, and a surface used for attaching electrical components on electrical component support portion 62b is a horizontal surface parallel to joint plane J between upper and lower housings 53 and 54 each other. A shaft center of motor output shaft 7 is also disposed on joint plane J. Effects through this configuration are identical to effects through a configuration similar to the configuration of transaxle 1 and a configuration of transaxle 51. In addition, other configurations of transaxle 61 and effects through the configurations are similar to the effects through the configurations of transaxle 1 and trans axle 51.

As described above, for transaxle 61 incorporated with an electric motor, according to the third embodiment, a casing of a conventional hydraulic transaxle formed by joining at least two housings (upper and lower housings) can be used as is. As a result, a production cost can be reduced.

It is further understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing description is given to preferred embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and that various changes and modifications may be made in the invention without departing from the scope thereof defined by the following claims.

While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.

The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

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Priority Claims (1)