US 12,655,891 B2 · Four-speed transmission for an electric drive system

Abstract

A drive system for a hybrid or electric vehicle that includes a transmission with four forward and four reverse gears. The transmission optionally includes a first and a second planetary gearset, and optionally a first and second range selector assembly. The range selector assemblies may include a clutch and a brake, and/or a synchronizer. The drive system may include a single electric motor with any example of a transmission of the present disclosure, or multiple electric motors individually driving separate transmissions. The motors may be arranged upstream or downstream of portions of a transmission, and they may be aligned parallel with or perpendicular to a drive axle, input shaft, output shaft, and any suitable combination thereof. An internal combustion engine may be included as well.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A drive system, comprising:

a first and a second planetary gearset having a sun gear, a carrier with planetary gears, and a ring gear, wherein the carrier of the first planetary gearset is coupled to the sun gear of the second planetary gearset;
a first synchronizer operable to selectively couple the ring gear of the first planetary gearset either to the carrier of the first planetary gearset or to ground;
and
a second synchronizer operable to selectively couple the ring gear of the second planetary gearset either to the carrier of the second planetary gearset or to ground;
wherein the sun gear of the first planetary gearset is coupled to an input shaft;
wherein the carrier of the second planetary gearset is coupled to an output shaft;
and
wherein a third gear is defined by coupling the ring gear of the first planetary gearset to ground and coupling the ring gear of the second planetary gearset to the carrier of the second planetary gearset.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Four-speed transmission for an electric drive system

Life of this patent

Four-speed transmission for an electric drive system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18