# US 11,906,021 B2 · Clutch configurations for a multiple motor mixed-speed continuous power transmission > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,906,021 B2 - Document ID: US11906021B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/807,330 - Filed: 2022-06-16 - Published: 2022-09-29 - Granted: 2024-02-20 - Earliest claimed: 2020-04-30 - Assignees: Allison Transmission, Inc. - Applicants: Allison Transmission, Inc. - Inventors: Isaac Mock; James Allen Raszkowski - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11906021B2 ## CPC - F16H 3/724: {using externally powered electric machines} - B60K 1/02: comprising more than one electric motor - B60K 17/02: characterised by arrangement, location, or kind of clutch - F16D 11/00: Clutches in which the members have interengaging parts (arrangements for synchronisation F16D23/02) - F16D 11/10: with clutching members movable only axially - F16D 23/14: Clutch-actuating sleeves {or bearings}; Actuating members directly connected to clutch-actuating sleeves {or bearings} - F16D 41/00: Freewheels or freewheel clutches (cycle brakes controlled by back-pedalling B62L5/00 {; one-way linear clutches F16B7/16}) - F16H 63/30: Constructional features of the final output mechanisms - B60Y 2200/91: Electric vehicles - B60Y 2400/405: Electric motors actuators - B60Y 2400/421: Dog type clutches or brakes - B60Y 2400/73: Planetary gearings - F16D 13/22: with axially-movable clutching members (similar brakes F16D55/00) - F16D 13/72: Features relating to cooling - F16D 13/74: Features relating to lubrication - F16D 2011/002: {using an external and axially slidable sleeve for coupling the teeth of both coupling components together} - F16D 2023/141: {characterised by using a fork; Details of forks} - F16H 3/54: one of the central gears being internally toothed and the other externally toothed - F16H 2063/3089: {Spring assisted shift, e.g. springs for accumulating energy of shift movement and release it when clutch teeth are aligned} - F16H 2063/3093: {Final output elements, i.e. the final elements to establish gear ratio, e.g. coupling sleeves or other means establishing coupling to shaft} - F16H 2200/0021: specially adapted for electric vehicles - F16H 2200/0034: the gear ratios comprising two forward speeds - F16H 2200/2005: with one sets of orbital gears - F16H 2200/2035: with two engaging means - F16H 2200/2064: using at least one positive clutch, e.g. dog clutch - F16H 2200/2066: using one freewheel mechanism - F16H 2200/2082: one freewheel mechanisms - F16H 2200/2094: using positive clutches, e.g. dog clutches - F16H 2200/2097: comprising an orbital gear set member permanently connected to the housing, e.g. a sun wheel permanently connected to the housing - 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 - F16D: COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES - B60Y: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY ## Abstract An electric powertrain includes a first electric motor that has an uninterrupted connection with a drive shaft of a vehicle. The electric powertrain further includes a second electric motor that has an interruptible connection with the drive shaft. In one form, this interruptible connection includes a clutch. The electric powertrain further includes a first gear train in the form of a first planetary gear and a second gear train in the form of a second planetary gear. The clutch in one variation includes a positive clutch in the form of a dog clutch. The dog clutch has a clutch suspension configured to deflect a clutch collar when gearing is misaligned during shifting. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A powertrain system, comprising: a first electric motor having an uninterrupted connection to an output; a second electric motor having a clutch connected to the output; wherein the clutch includes a positive clutch; wherein the clutch includes a clutch collar and a clutch actuator arm coupled to the clutch collar; wherein the clutch actuator arm includes a shift fork, a fork actuator arm, a pivot pin, and a clutch suspension; wherein the shift fork is coupled to the clutch collar; wherein the pivot pin pivotally connects the shift fork, the fork actuator arm, and the clutch suspension; a clutch actuator configured to pivot the clutch actuator arm about the pivot pin; wherein the clutch suspension includes a spring biased between the fork actuator arm and the shift fork; wherein the spring includes a torsion spring wrapped around the pivot pin; and a controller configured to engage the clutch based on resolver information from the first electric motor and the second electric motor. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The powertrain system of claim 1, wherein the positive clutch includes a dog clutch. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The powertrain system of claim 1, further comprising: a planetary gear is configured to change torque from the second electric motor based on clutch position of the clutch. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The powertrain system of claim 1 wherein the clutch includes: wherein the clutch collar defines a shift fork groove; one or more guide pads slidably disposed in the shift fork groove of the clutch collar; the shift fork including one or more fork arms; and wherein the fork arms are pivotally coupled to the guide pads. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The powertrain system of claim 4, further comprising: a clutch actuator guide bracket; and a clutch actuator arm is pivotally coupled to the clutch actuator guide bracket to facilitate pivotal movement of the clutch actuator arm. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The powertrain system of claim 1, wherein: the first electric motor includes a first resolver; the first resolver is internal to the first electric motor; the first resolver is operatively coupled to the controller to communicate with the controller; the second electric motor includes a second resolver; the second resolver is internal to the second electric motor; the second resolver is operatively coupled to the controller to communicate with the controller; and the controller is configured to engage the clutch based on resolver information from the first resolver of the first electric motor and the second resolver of the second electric motor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The powertrain system of claim 1, further comprising: a controller area network (CAN) operatively coupled to the controller; wherein the first electric motor includes a first resolver; wherein the first resolver is operatively coupled to the controller via the CAN; wherein the second electric motor includes a second resolver; wherein the second resolver is operatively coupled to the controller via the CAN; and wherein the controller is configured to engage the clutch based on resolver information from the first resolver of the first electric motor and the second resolver of the second electric motor. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The powertrain system of claim 7, wherein: the positive clutch lacks a synchromesh; the positive clutch includes a dog clutch; the first resolver is internal to the first electric motor; and the second resolver is internal to the second electric motor. ### Claim 9 A powertrain system, comprising: a first electric motor having an uninterrupted connection to an output; a second electric motor having a clutch connected to the output; wherein the clutch includes a positive clutch; wherein the clutch includes a clutch collar and a clutch actuator arm coupled to the clutch collar; wherein the clutch actuator arm includes a shift fork, a fork actuator arm, a pivot pin, and a clutch suspension; wherein the shift fork is coupled to the clutch collar; wherein the pivot pin pivotally connects the shift fork, the fork actuator arm, and the clutch suspension; a clutch actuator configured to pivot the clutch actuator arm about the pivot pin; wherein the clutch suspension includes a spring biased between the fork actuator arm and the shift fork; wherein the clutch actuator includes a clutch actuator rod and an actuator rod collar coupled to the clutch actuator rod; wherein the clutch suspension includes a leaf spring connected between the actuator rod collar and the shift fork; and a controller configured to engage the clutch based on resolver information from the first electric motor and the second electric motor. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The powertrain system of claim 9, wherein the positive clutch includes a dog clutch. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The powertrain system of claim 9, further comprising: a planetary gear configured to change torque from the second electric motor based on clutch position of the clutch. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The powertrain system of claim 9, wherein the clutch includes: the clutch collar defining a shift fork groove; one or more guide pads slidably disposed in the shift fork groove of the clutch collar; the shift fork including one or more fork arms; and wherein the fork arms are pivotally coupled to the guide pads. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The powertrain system of claim 12, further comprising: a clutch actuator guide bracket; and wherein the clutch actuator arm is pivotally coupled to the clutch actuator guide bracket to facilitate pivotal movement of the clutch actuator arm. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The powertrain system of claim 9, wherein: the first electric motor includes a first resolver; the first resolver is internal to the first electric motor; the first resolver is operatively coupled to the controller to communicate with the controller; the second electric motor includes a second resolver; the second resolver is internal to the second electric motor; the second resolver is operatively coupled to the controller to communicate with the controller; and the controller is configured to engage the clutch based on resolver information from the first resolver of the first electric motor and the second resolver of the second electric motor. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The powertrain system of claim 9, further comprising: a controller area network (CAN) operatively coupled to the controller; wherein the first electric motor includes a first resolver; wherein the first resolver is operatively coupled to the controller via the CAN; wherein the second electric motor includes a second resolver; wherein the second resolver is operatively coupled to the controller via the CAN; and wherein the controller is configured to engage the clutch based on resolver information from the first resolver of the first electric motor and the second resolver of the second electric motor. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The powertrain system of claim 15, wherein: the positive clutch lacks a synchromesh; the positive clutch includes a dog clutch; the first resolver is internal to the first electric motor; and the second resolver is internal to the second electric motor.