Apparatus for driving electric vehicle and method of controlling the same

An apparatus for driving an electric vehicle, comprising:

• a driving motor and a motor shaft connected to the driving motor;
• a first motor gear and a second motor gear coupled to the motor shaft and spaced apart from each other;
• a first driving gear and a second driving gear spaced apart from each other and configured to engage with the first motor gear and the second motor gear, respectively;
• a driving shaft disposed adjacent to the first driving gear and the second driving gear and having a central bore;
• a transmission shaft spline-coupled to the driving shaft, the transmission shaft integrally revolving with the driving shaft;
• and
• an actuator configured to move the transmission shaft in an axial direction with respect to the driving shaft,
• wherein, movement of the transmission shaft in an axial direction causes the transmission shaft to be coupled to one of the first driving gear or the second driving gear and to transmit power to the driving shaft.

A method of controlling an apparatus for driving an electric vehicle including a driving motor, and a first gear and a second gear connected to the driving motor, the method comprising:

• operating the driving motor;
• operating the vehicle in a first driving mode in which power is transmitted to a driving shaft from the first gear through a first clutch;
• receiving a transmission signal indicative of a change in a driving mode;
• stopping transmission of power to the driving shaft, as the driving motor is decelerated;
• adjusting a second clutch to function as a one-way clutch as the driving motor is decelerated;
• and
• operating the vehicle in a second driving mode in which power is transmitted to the driving shaft from the second gear through the second clutch, as the driving motor is accelerated.