US 2025/0326291 A1 · SELECTABLE LOW RANGE SHIFT ARCHITECTURES FOR AN ELECTRIFIED TRANSFER CASE/INTEGRATED E-AXLE

Abstract

An electric drive axle with a two-speed gearbox and shifting system is described herein that advantageously reduces a size and volume of the electric drive axle for tight cross-car packaging in a constrained environment for integration of the gearbox with an electric machine, inverter, and differential. The gearbox includes higher and lower range planetary gear sets that are arranged coaxially with the electric machine. The higher and lower range planetary gear sets can be operated in a higher range mode, where mechanical power from an electric machine bypasses the lower range planetary gear set, and in a lower range mode, where mechanical power from the electric machine travels through the lower range planetary gear set and the higher range planetary gear set. The described configuration expands a functionality of the gearbox and increases the axle's capability with regard to operating range and driving environment.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An electric drive axle of a vehicle, comprising:

an electric machine rotationally coupled to a gearbox, the gearbox comprising:
a higher range planetary gear set coupled to a lower range planetary gear set via a clutch;
and
an output gear designed to receive rotational input from at least one of the higher range planetary gear set and the lower range planetary gear set;
wherein the clutch is configured to:
in a lower range position, direct mechanical power through the higher range planetary gear set and the lower range planetary gear set;
and
in a higher range position, direct mechanical power to the higher range planetary gear set which bypasses the lower range planetary gear set.

5 more elements

A method for operating an electric drive axle, the method comprising:

operating a clutch coupled to a gearbox of the electric drive axle to transition the gearbox between a higher range mode and a lower range mode;
wherein the electric drive axle comprises a higher range planetary gear set selectively coupled to a lower range planetary gear set in series via the clutch;
and
wherein in the higher range mode, mechanical power from an electric machine bypasses the lower range planetary gear set, and in the lower range mode, mechanical power from the electric machine travels through the lower range planetary gear set and the higher range planetary gear set.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Selectable low range shift architectures for an electrified transfer case/integrated e-axle

Life of this patent

Selectable low range shift architectures for an electrified transfer case/integrated e-axle

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20