# US 11,754,158 B2 · Gear unit for a vehicle and powertrain with such a gear unit

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- Number: US 11,754,158 B2
- Document ID: US11754158B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/950,790
- Filed: 2022-09-22
- Published: 2023-03-30
- Granted: 2023-09-12
- Earliest claimed: 2021-09-27
- Assignees: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
- Applicants: Zf Friedrichshafen AG
- Inventors: Matthias Reisch
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11754158B2

## CPC

- F16H 37/0813: {with only one input shaft}
- B60K 17/02: characterised by arrangement, location, or kind of clutch
- B60K 17/165: {provided between independent half axles (B60K17/18, B60K17/20 take precedence)}
- B60K 17/26: characterised by arrangement, location, or type of freewheel device
- F16H 3/663: {with conveying rotary motion between axially spaced orbital gears, e.g. a stepped orbital gear or Ravigneaux}
- F16H 48/10: with orbital spur gears
- F16H 48/22: using friction clutches or brakes
- F16H 48/36: characterised by intentionally generating speed difference between outputs
- B60K 17/046: {with planetary gearing having orbital motion}
- B60K 17/08: of mechanical type
- B60K 2001/001: {one motor mounted on a propulsion axle for rotating right and left wheels of this axle}
- B60Y 2400/424: Friction clutches
- B60Y 2400/4242: of dry type
- F16H 3/62: Gearings having three or more central gears (F16H3/68 - F16H3/78 take precedence)
- F16H 2048/368: {using additional orbital gears in combination with clutches or brakes}
- F16H 2200/0021: specially adapted for electric vehicles
- F16H 2200/0034: the gear ratios comprising two forward speeds
- F16H 2200/2007: with two sets of orbital gears
- F16H 2200/201: with three sets of orbital gears
- F16H 2200/2012: with four sets of orbital gears
- F16H 2200/2035: with two engaging means
- F16H 2200/2038: with three engaging means
- F16H 2200/2064: using at least one positive clutch, e.g. dog clutch
- F16H 2200/2094: using positive clutches, e.g. dog clutches
- F16H: GEARING
- B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- B60Y: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY

## Abstract

Gear unit with an integral differential arranged between an input shaft and two output shafts, having a first and a second planetary gearset with gearset elements. One gearset element is connected to an epicyclic gear train input, an output of the epicyclic gear train and a stationary component of the gear unit. A first gearset element is connected to the input shaft, a second gearset element is connected to the first output shaft, and a third gearset element is connected to a first gearset element of the second planetary gearset. A second gearset element is connectible to a second gearset element of the epicyclic gear train. A third gearset element is connected to the second output shaft. A first gearset element of the epicyclic gear train is connected to the input shaft. A third gearset element of the epicyclic gear train is connected to the stationary structural component.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A gear unit for a powertrain of a vehicle comprising:
an input shaft;
a first output shaft;
a second output shaft; and
an integral differential operatively arranged between the input shaft and the two output shafts, comprising:
a first planetary gearset with a plurality of first gearset elements; and
a second planetary gearset with a plurality of second planetary gearset elements, the second planetary gearset being operatively connected to the first planetary gearset; and
an epicyclic gear train having a plurality of epicyclic gearset elements, wherein one of the epicyclic gearset elements is connected in each instance to an input of the epicyclic gear train, an output of the epicyclic gear train and a stationary structural component of the gear unit to be fixed with respect to relative rotation,
wherein:
a first gearset element of the first planetary gearset is connected to the input shaft to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it,
a second gearset element of the first planetary gearset is connected to the first output shaft to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it, and
a third gearset element of the first planetary gearset is at least indirectly connected to a first gearset element of the second planetary gearset so as to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it,
wherein:
a second gearset element of the second planetary gearset is at least indirectly connected or connectible to a second gearset element of the epicyclic gear train to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it, and
a third gearset element of the second planetary gearset is connected to the second output shaft to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it,
wherein
a first gearset element of the epicyclic gear train is connected or connectible to the input shaft to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it, and
a third gearset element of the epicyclic gear train is connected or connectible to the stationary structural component to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it,
wherein a first output torque is transferable to the first output shaft by the first planetary gearset,
wherein a reaction torque of the first planetary gearset is transformable in the second planetary gearset such that a second output torque corresponding to the first output torque is transferable to the second output shaft.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The gear unit according to claim 1, wherein the input shaft is configured to be connected to a driveshaft of a drive unit at least indirectly to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The gear unit according to claim 1, wherein the first planetary gearset and second planetary gearset are arranged to be radially nested or axially adjacent.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The gear unit according to claim 1, wherein the epicyclic gear train has a third planetary gearset with a plurality of epicyclic gearset elements,
wherein:
a first epicyclic gearset element of the third planetary gearset is connected or connectible to the input shaft to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it,
a second epicyclic gearset element of the third planetary gearset is connected or connectible to the second gearset element of the second planetary gearset to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it, and
a third epicyclic gearset element of the third planetary gearset is connected or connectible to the stationary structural component to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The gear unit according to claim 4,
wherein the second gearset element of the second planetary gearset and the second gearset element of the third planetary gearset are connected to one another by a connection shaft to be fixed with respect to relative rotation,
wherein the connection shaft is configured to be secured to the stationary structural component via a first brake,
wherein the first gearset element of the third planetary gearset is connected to the input shaft to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it, and
wherein the third gearset element of the third planetary gearset is securable to the stationary structural component via a second brake.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The gear unit according to claim 4,
wherein the second gearset element of the second planetary gearset and the second gearset element of the third planetary gearset are connected to one another by a connection shaft to be fixed with respect to relative rotation,
wherein the connection shaft is configured to be secured to the stationary structural component via a first brake,
wherein the first gearset element of the third planetary gearset is connectible to the input shaft via a clutch to be fixed with respect to relative rotation, and
wherein the third gearset element of the third planetary gearset is connected to the stationary structural component to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it.

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

The gear unit according to claim 4,
wherein the second gearset element of the second planetary gearset is configured to be secured to the stationary structural component via a first brake and is connectible to the second gearset element of the third planetary gearset via a clutch so as to be fixed with respect to relative rotation,
wherein the first gearset element of the third planetary gearset is connected to the input shaft so as to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it, and
wherein the third gearset element of the third planetary gearset is connected to the stationary structural component to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it.

### Claim 8 (depends on 4)

The gear unit according to claim 4,
wherein the epicyclic gear train further has a fourth planetary gearset operatively connected to the third planetary gearset and which has a plurality of gearset elements,
wherein a first gearset element of the fourth planetary gearset is connected or connectible to the input shaft to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it,
wherein a second gearset element of the fourth planetary gearset is connected or connectible to the stationary structural component to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it, and
wherein a third gearset element of the fourth planetary gearset is connected or connectible to the first gearset element of the third planetary gearset to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The gear unit according to claim 8,
wherein the first gearset element of the fourth planetary gearset is connected to the input shaft to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it,
wherein the second gearset element of the fourth planetary gearset is configured to be secured to the stationary structural component via a first brake,
wherein the third gearset element of the fourth planetary gearset is connected to the first gearset element of the third planetary gearset to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it,
wherein the second gearset element of the second planetary gearset and the second gearset element of the third planetary gearset are configured to be secured to the stationary structural component via a second brake,
wherein the first gearset element of the third planetary gearset is connectible via a clutch to the input shaft so as to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it, and
wherein the third gearset element of the third planetary gearset is connected to the stationary structural component so as to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The gear unit according to claim 8, wherein the third planetary gearset and fourth planetary gearset are arranged axially adjacent one another.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The gear unit according to claim 1, wherein each first gearset element is a sun gear of a respective planetary gearset, each second gearset element is a planet carrier of the respective planetary gearset, and each third gearset element is a ring gear of the respective planetary gearset.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The gear unit according to claim 1, wherein each planetary gearset is formed, respectively, as a negative planetary gearset or as a positive planetary gearset.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The gear unit according to claim 9, wherein the third planetary gearset and fourth planetary gearset are arranged axially adjacent one another.

### Claim 14

A powertrain for a vehicle, comprising:
a gear unit comprising:
an input shaft;
a first output shaft;
a second output shaft; and
an integral differential operatively arranged between the input shaft and the two output shafts, comprising:
a first planetary gearset with a plurality of first gearset elements; and
a second planetary gearset with a plurality of second planetary gearset elements, the second planetary gearset being operatively connected to the first planetary gearset; and
an epicyclic gear train having a plurality of epicyclic gearset elements, wherein one of the epicyclic gearset elements is connected in each instance to an input of the epicyclic gear train, an output of the epicyclic gear train and a stationary structural component of the gear unit to be fixed with respect to relative rotation,
wherein:
a first gearset element of the first planetary gearset is connected to the input shaft to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it,
a second gearset element of the first planetary gearset is connected to the first output shaft to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it, and
a third gearset element of the first planetary gearset is at least indirectly connected to a first gearset element of the second planetary gearset so as to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it,
wherein:
a second gearset element of the second planetary gearset is at least indirectly connected or connectible to a second gearset element of the epicyclic gear train to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it, and
a third gearset element of the second planetary gearset is connected to the second output shaft to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it,
wherein
a first gearset element of the epicyclic gear train is connected or connectible to the input shaft to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it, and
a third gearset element of the epicyclic gear train is connected or connectible to the stationary structural component to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it,
wherein a first output torque is transferable to the first output shaft by the first planetary gearset,
wherein a reaction torque of the first planetary gearset is transformable in the second planetary gearset such that a second output torque corresponding to the first output torque is transferable to the second output shaft; and
a drive unit, operatively connected to the gear unit.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The powertrain according to claim 14, wherein the drive unit is an electric machine.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The powertrain according to claim 15, wherein the gear unit is arranged at least partially radially inwardly of a rotor of the electric machine.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

Vehicle comprising at least one powertrain according to claim 15.