Passive lubrication system for concentric gear drive for an electric vehicle

A drive system for powering one or more wheels of an electric vehicle, the drive system comprising:

• an electric motor including
• a rotor, and
• a wound stator disposed circumferentially around the rotor;
• a two stage planetary gear system including:
• a first planetary gear set operatively connected to the motor,
• a fixed annular region disposed between the electric motor and the first planetary gear set, and
• a second planetary gear set operatively connected to the first planetary gear set;
• an oil network defined by and disposed, at least, within the fixed annular region and the two stage planetary gear system, the oil network configured to distribute oil to the two stage planetary gear system;
• an oil sump region situated at least within the fixed annular region, and configured to provide oil for distribution about the oil network;
• an oil paddle extending along an axis, operatively coupled with the two stage planetary gear system, configured to rotate with a component of the first planetary gear set and, during rotation, configured to course oil, from the oil sump;
• an oil diverter positioned, at least partially, concentric with the oil paddle and radially outward of the oil paddle, the oil diverter being configured to receive oil from the oil sump region, upon rotation of the oil paddle, and direct the received oil to the oil network;
• and wherein the oil diverter defines a spiraled network circumferentially outward of the oil paddle, the spiraled network having an axial dimension substantially equal to an axial dimension of the oil paddle, the oil paddle being radially interposed between the oil diverter and the component, and configured to direct the received oil to the oil network.

A planetary gear system for an electric drive system, powering one or more wheels of an electric vehicle and including a motor, the planetary gear system comprising:

• a first planetary gear set operatively connected to the motor and including, at least, a ring gear;
• a fixed annular region disposed between the electric motor and the first planetary gear set;
• a second planetary gear set operatively connected to the first planetary gear set;
• an oil network defined by and disposed, at least, within the fixed annular region, the oil network configured to distribute oil to the two stage planetary gear system, the oil network including:
• one or more feed holes, defined by the fixed annular region and disposed proximate to a dead end of the oil diverter, the feed holes configured to receive oil from the oil diverter,
• an annular cavity defined by the fixed annular region, the feed holes directing oil into the annular cavity, and
• one or more oil channels, configured to receive oil from the annular cavity and provide oil flow to the first planetary gear set and the second planetary gear set;
• an oil sump region configured to provide oil for distribution about the oil network;
• an oil paddle operatively coupled with the first planetary gear set, configured to rotate with the ring gear of the second planetary gear set and, during rotation, configured to course oil, from the oil sump;
• and
• an oil diverter positioned, at least partially, concentric with the oil paddle and radially outward of the oil paddle, the oil diverter being configured to receive oil from the oil sump region, upon rotation of the oil paddle, the oil diverter defining a spiraled network circumferentially outward of oil paddle, the spiraled network configured to direct the received oil to the oil network.