Electric drive unit with a multi-speed transmission and method for transmission operation

A method for operation of a transmission system in an electric drive unit, comprising:

• transitioning between a first gear ratio and a second gear ratio via selective engagement and disengagement of a first friction clutch and a second friction clutch;
• wherein the transmission system includes:
• an input shaft rotationally coupled to each of a first electric machine and a second electric machine;
• the first friction clutch arranged coaxial to a first countershaft;
• and
• the second friction clutch arranged coaxial to a second countershaft and spaced away from the first countershaft;
• and
• transferring mechanical power from one of the first and second friction clutches to an output shaft that is spaced away from the second countershaft.

An electric drive unit for an electric vehicle (EV), comprising:

• a transmission system comprising:
• an input shaft rotationally coupled to each of a first electric machine and a second electric machine;
• a lower gear clutch arranged coaxial to a first countershaft, wherein a first gear is fixedly coupled to the lower gear clutch and meshes with a second gear that is fixedly coupled to the input shaft;
• and
• a higher gear clutch arranged coaxial to a second countershaft, wherein a third gear is fixedly coupled to the higher gear clutch, meshes with the first gear, and is arranged coaxial to the second countershaft.