Electric axle and control method
AssigneeDana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
InventorsAnand WAKODE, Saket KALE
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for an electric axle. In one example, the electric axle includes an electric machine removably coupled to a first side of an input shaft via a first mechanical attachment interface and a differential rotationally coupled to a transmission. The transmission includes the input shaft that includes a second mechanical interface on a second side that is opposite the first side and a clutch mounted on an intermediate shaft or the input shaft and configured to shift the transmission between at least two gear ratios.
Claims20
An electric axle comprising:
- a first electric machine removably coupled to a first side of an input shaft via a first mechanical attachment interface;
- a transmission including:
- the input shaft that includes a second mechanical interface on a second side that is opposite the first side;
- and
- a clutch mounted on an intermediate shaft or the input shaft and configured to shift the transmission between at least two gear ratios;
- and
- a differential rotationally coupled to the transmission;
- wherein the first electric machine and the input shaft are coaxially arranged;
- and
- wherein a rotational axis of a side gear in the differential is arranged parallel to the input shaft.
A method for operation of an electric axle, comprising:
- operating a first electric motor-generator to transfer mechanical power to a multi-speed transmission and to a second electric motor-generator;
- operating the second electric motor-generator in a regeneration mode where the second electric motor-generator generates electrical energy;
- wherein the first and second motor-generators and an input shaft in the multi-speed transmission are coaxially arranged;
- and
- wherein the first and second motor-generators have different torque capacities, performance, and efficiency characteristics.
An electric axle comprising:
- a first traction motor-generator directly and removably coupled to a first end of an input shaft
- a second traction motor-generator directly and removably coupled to a second end of the input shaft;
- a multi-speed transmission including:
- the input shaft;
- and
- a clutch mounted on an intermediate shaft and configured to shift the multi-speed transmission between a first gear reduction and a second gear reduction;
- and
- a differential with an input gear that meshes with a gear on the intermediate shaft;
- wherein the first traction motor-generator has a higher torque capacity than the second traction motor-generator;
- and
- wherein the first traction motor-generator, the second traction motor-generator, and the input shaft are coaxially arranged.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.