Multi-speed gearbox system and gearbox operating method
AssigneeDana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
InventorEric M. Engerman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and systems for a gearbox are provided. A multi-speed gearbox system in an electric vehicle includes, in one example, a planetary assembly designed to rotationally coupled to an electric machine and including a first planetary gear set that is rotationally coupled to a second planetary gear set that includes a first set of pinion gears and a second set of pinion gears. The multi-speed gearbox system further includes a first clutch designed to selectively ground a first component in one of the first planetary gear set and the second planetary gear set.
Claims18
A multi-speed gearbox system in an electric vehicle, comprising:
- a planetary assembly designed to rotationally couple to an electric machine and including a first planetary gear set that is rotationally coupled to a second planetary gear set that includes a first set of pinion gears and a second set of pinion gears;
- and
- a clutch assembly designed to selectively ground a first component in one of the first planetary gear set and the second planetary gear set;
- wherein a rotor shaft of the electric machine is directly coupled to a first sun gear in the first planetary gear set via a shaft that extends through a central opening in a second sun gear of the second planetary gear set;
- and
- wherein the second planetary gear set includes a ring gear that is rotationally coupled to a differential.
A method for operation of a multi-speed gearbox system in an electric vehicle, comprising:
- in a first gear, grounding a ring gear in a first planetary gear set of a planetary assembly through operation of a first clutch;
- and
- in a second gear, grounding a carrier in the first planetary gear set through operation of a second clutch;
- wherein the multi-speed gearbox system comprises:
- the planetary assembly designed to rotationally couple to an electric machine and including the first planetary gear set rotationally coupled to a second planetary gear set that includes a first set of pinion gears and a second set of pinion gears;
- wherein a rotor shaft of the electric machine is directly coupled to a first sun gear in the first planetary gear set via a shaft that extends through a central opening in a second sun gear of the second planetary gear set;
- and
- wherein the ring gear in the first planetary gear set is rotationally coupled to the first set of pinion gears and the second set of pinion gears in the second planetary gear set.
A multi-speed gearbox system in an electric axle, comprising:
- a planetary assembly designed to rotationally couple to an electric machine and including a first planetary gear set rotationally coupled to a second planetary gear set that includes a first set of pinion gears and a second set of pinion gears;
- and
- a clutch assembly including:
- a first clutch that selectively grounds a carrier;
- and
- a second clutch that selectively grounds a ring gear in the first planetary gear set;
- wherein the first and the second clutches are the only clutches in the multi-speed gearbox system;
- wherein a rotor shaft of the electric machine is directly coupled to a first sun gear in the first planetary gear set via a shaft that extends through a central opening in a second sun gear of the second planetary gear set;
- and
- wherein the ring gear in the first planetary gear set is coupled to the first set of pinion gears and the second set of pinion gears.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.