# US 11,898,624 B2 · Two-speed gearbox for an electric motor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,898,624 B2 - Document ID: US11898624B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/526,029 - Filed: 2021-11-15 - Published: 2022-05-19 - Granted: 2024-02-13 - Earliest claimed: 2020-11-19 - Assignees: Volvo Car Corporation - Applicants: Volvo Car Corporation - Inventors: Peter Petrov - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11898624B2 ## CPC - F16D 25/0638: with more than two discs, e.g. multiple lamellae - F16H 3/089: all of the meshing gears being supported by a pair of parallel shafts, one being the input shaft and the other the output shaft, there being no countershaft involved - F16D 21/04: with a shaft carrying a number of rotatable transmission members, e.g. gears, each of which can be connected to the shaft by a clutching member or members between the shaft and the hub of the transmission member - F16H 57/023: Mounting or installation of gears or shafts in the gearboxes, e.g. methods or means for assembly - F16H 2057/02034: {Gearboxes combined or connected with electric machines} - F16H 2200/0021: specially adapted for electric vehicles - F16H 2200/0034: the gear ratios comprising two forward speeds - F16H 2200/2035: with two engaging means - F16D: COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES - F16H: GEARING ## Abstract An assembly for use with an electric motor, including a shaft with on a first end and on a second end a rotatable gear. Each gear is fixedly connected to a first clutch member that can slipping engage a second clutch member extending around the shaft and connected to the shaft in a fixed angular position. A force member is axially situated between the clutch members for moving second clutch members relative to the first clutch members in an axial direction such that the first clutch members and the second clutch members can engage and disengage in a slipping manner at relative circumferential speeds. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A gear assembly for use with an electric motor, comprising: a shaft with a rotatable gear both on a first end and on a second end, each gear connected to respectively a first and second clutch, each clutch having a first clutch member fixedly connected to the gear and the first clutch member being connectable to a second clutch member extending around the shaft and connected to the shaft in a fixed angular position, a force member being axially situated between the first and second clutch and configured for axially moving the second clutch member of each clutch relative to the first clutch member of the respective clutch in an axial direction such that for each clutch the first clutch member and the second clutch member can engage and disengage in a slipping manner at relative circumferential speeds, wherein the force member comprises a hydraulic actuator for each second clutch member, wherein the gear assembly is disposed in a housing having a first housing segment and a second housing segment and an interconnecting plate situated at an interface between the housing segments, the interconnecting plate supporting the hydraulic actuators. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The gear assembly according to claim 1, the shaft being supported by bearings at each end of the shaft near a respective gear. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The gear assembly according to claim 1, wherein the gears are mounted on the shaft with a clearance fit so they can freely rotate around the shaft. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The gear assembly according to claim 1, each second clutch member extending around the shaft and being situated closer to a midpoint of the shaft than the respective gears. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The gear assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a controller such that one of the second clutch members engages its corresponding first clutch member while the other of the second clutch members disengages from its corresponding first clutch member such that a transfer of torque from the gears to the shaft is substantially constant. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The gear assembly according to claim 1, wherein the hydraulic actuators comprise a ring-shaped groove in the interconnecting plate. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The gear assembly according to claim 1, wherein the interconnecting plate comprises ring-shaped grooves and oil channels connecting to the grooves, wherein the ring shaped groves and oil channels are formed in the interconnecting plate. ### Claim 8 An electric vehicle, comprising: an electric motor; and a gear assembly, comprising: a shaft with a rotatable gear both on a first end and on a second end, each gear connected to respectively a first and second clutch, each clutch having a first clutch member fixedly connected to the gear and the first clutch member being connectable to a second clutch member extending around the shaft and connected to the shaft in a fixed angular position, a force member being axially situated between the first and second clutch and configured for axially moving the second clutch member of each clutch relative to the first clutch member of the respective clutch in an axial direction such that for each clutch the first clutch member and the second clutch member can engage and disengage in a slipping manner at relative circumferential speeds, wherein the force member comprises a hydraulic actuator for each second clutch member, wherein the gear assembly is disposed in a housing having a first housing segment and a second housing segment and an interconnecting plate situated at an interface between the housing segments, the interconnecting plate supporting the hydraulic actuators. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The electric vehicle according to claim 8, the shaft being supported by bearings at each end of the shaft near a respective gear. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The electric vehicle according to claim 8, wherein the gears are mounted on the shaft with a clearance fit so they can freely rotate around the shaft. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The electric vehicle according to claim 8, each second clutch member extending around the shaft and being situated closer to a midpoint of the shaft than the respective gears. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The electric vehicle according to claim 8, wherein the gear assembly further comprises a controller such that one of the second clutch members engages its corresponding first clutch member while the other of the second clutch members disengages from its corresponding first clutch member such that a transfer of torque from the gears to the shaft is substantially constant. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The electric vehicle according to claim 8, wherein the hydraulic actuators comprise a ring-shaped groove in the interconnecting plate. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The electric vehicle according to claim 8, wherein the interconnecting plate comprises ring-shaped grooves and oil channels connecting to the grooves, wherein the ring shaped groves and oil channels are formed in the interconnecting plate.