Electric drive unit with planetary two-speed powershift transmission driven by three electric motors

A method for operation of a transmission system, comprising:

• transitioning between a first operating gear and a second operating gear via selective engagement and disengagement of a first friction clutch and a second friction clutch;
• wherein the transmission system includes:
• a first input shaft coupled to a first electric machine;
• a second input shaft coupled to a second electric machine;
• a third input shaft coupled to a third electric machine;
• a planetary gear set arranged between the first friction clutch and the second friction clutch;
• and
• an output shaft coupled to the planetary gear set via a gear;
• transferring mechanical power from one of the first and second friction clutches to the output shaft that is spaced away from the planetary gear set;
• and
• grounding a ring gear in the planetary gear set via engagement of the second friction clutch;
• wherein the first electric machine, the second electric machine, and the third electric machine are connected via an idler shaft;
• and
• wherein the planetary gear set is coupled to the idler shaft and positioned between and coupled to the first friction clutch and the second friction clutch.

An electric drive unit for an electric vehicle, comprising:

• a transmission system comprising:
• a first input shaft coupled to a first electric machine;
• a second input shaft coupled to a second electric machine;
• a third input shaft coupled to a third electric machine;
• wherein the first, second, and third electric machines are connected via an idler shaft;
• a planetary gear set coupled to the idler shaft and arranged between a lower gear clutch and a higher gear clutch;
• and
• an output shaft coupled to the planetary gear set via a gear;
• wherein:
• the lower gear clutch is configured to engage the idler shaft;
• the higher gear clutch is configured to engage and ground a ring gear of the planetary gear set;
• and
• the idler shaft couples the first electric machine, the second electric machine, and the third electric machine via a plurality of gears.