Back to results
US 12,013,018 B2Granted
Multi-speed gearbox with a gear-clutch assembly
AssigneeDana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
InventorsEric M. Engerman, Ryan D. Nelms, Amar Nivarthi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electric drive axle of a vehicle includes an electric motor having an output shaft. A compound idler assembly is connected to the electric motor. The compound idler assembly includes at least one gear-clutch assembly in driving engagement with the output shaft of the electric motor. A differential is connected to the compound idler assembly, and in selective driving engagement with the compound idler assembly.
Claims10
An electric drive axle, comprising:
- an electric motor having an output shaft with a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the first end is coupled to the electric motor;
- and
- a compound idler assembly connected to the electric motor, the compound idler assembly including at least one gear_clutch assembly in driving engagement with the output shaft of the electric motor;
- a first gear, wherein the first gear is axially adjacent the first end;
- wherein the output shaft is configured to rotate the first gear therewith, wherein rotation of the first gear is configured to rotate a third gear, an idler shaft of the compound idler assembly, and a fifth gear coupled thereto, wherein the fifth gear is axially adjacent a first end of the idler shaft and the third gear is centrally located between the first end and a second end of the idler shaft, wherein rotation of the fifth gear is configured to rotate a differential case, and wherein two or more differential pinions are coupled within the differential case,
- wherein a fluid actuator is configured to urge a first piston member of a first gear clutch assembly to move in a first axial direction to engage a first clutch while a second clutch remains disengaged when a first torque is desired,
- wherein the first piston member is axially adjacent a pressure plate, and
- wherein the first piston member is axially outboard from the pressure plate relative to the idler shaft of the compound idler assembly, the pressure plate configured to urge clutch plates of the first gear clutch assembly towards a first support plate during engagement of the first clutch.
5 more elements
An electric drive axle, comprising:
- an electric motor configured to drive a compound idler assembly via a motor output shaft and a first gear and a second gear, where a motor output assembly, the compound idler assembly, and a differential are configured to receive axle half shafts that are disposed offset and parallel relatively to one another;
- wherein
- the differential is configured to selectively engage with the compound idler assembly in response to a position of a piston member of a first gear clutch assembly, the first gear clutch assembly comprising a first clutch, wherein the differential is engaged with the compound idler assembly and provides a first torque when the piston member is in a first position or a second torque when the piston member is in a second position, and wherein the differential is not engaged with the compound idler assembly when the piston member is in a third position between the first position and the second position, and
- the piston member is axially adjacent a pressure plate, wherein the piston member is axially outboard from the pressure plate relative to an idler shaft of the compound idler assembly, the pressure plate configured to urge clutch plates of the first gear clutch assembly towards a first support plate during engagement of the first clutch.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.