Electric drive axle gear train and method for manufacturing said gear train
AssigneeDana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
InventorEric M. Engerman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and systems for an electric drive axle of a vehicle are provided. A gear train in an electric drive axle system includes, in one example, an input shaft configured to rotationally couple to an electric motor-generator and including a first gear and an intermediate shaft including a second gear rotationally coupled to the first gear and a third gear and a fourth gear each configured to rotationally couple to a separate gear on an output shaft. In this example, the second gear, the third gear, and the fourth gear have different sizes, the third gear includes an axial extension having at outer surface, and an interior surface of the second gear circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the outer surface of the axial extension.
Claims20
A gear train in an electric drive axle system, comprising:
- an input shaft configured to rotationally couple to an electric motor-generator and including a first gear;
- and
- an intermediate shaft including:
- a second gear rotationally coupled to the first gear;
- and
- a third gear and a fourth gear each configured to rotationally couple to a separate gear on an output shaft;
- wherein the second gear, the third gear, and the fourth gear have different sizes;
- wherein the third gear includes an axial extension having at outer surface;
- and
- wherein an interior surface of the second gear circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the outer surface of the axial extension.
A method for manufacturing a gear train in an electric drive axle system, comprising:
- forming a first gear on an outer surface of an intermediate shaft in the gear train;
- press-fitting a second gear onto the intermediate shaft;
- and
- installing a third gear onto an axial section of the second gear;
- wherein the third gear is larger than the first gear and the second gear.
A gear train in an electric drive axle system, comprising:
- an input shaft rotationally coupled to an electric motor-generator and including a first gear integrally formed with a body of the input shaft;
- and
- an intermediate shaft including:
- a second gear rotationally coupled to the first gear;
- and
- a third gear and a fourth gear each configured to rotationally couple to a distinct selectable gear on an output shaft;
- wherein the fourth gear is integrally formed on an outer surface of the intermediate shaft;
- wherein the third gear forms a press-fit interface with the intermediate shaft;
- wherein the second gear is positioned axially between the third gear and the fourth gear;
- and
- wherein the second gear is larger than the third gear and the fourth gear.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.