Multi-speed e-axle with integrated electric motor and shift mechanism

A configuration of an electric axle comprising:

• a first clutch that selectively couples a first planetary gearset to a transmission component of the electric axle via closing a first clutch input and a first clutch output;
• a second clutch that selectively couples a first carrier in the first planetary gearset via closing and selectively coupling a second clutch input and a second clutch output, and drivingly couples an input of the first planetary gearset to a differential carrier to bypass a first sun gear of the first planetary gearset;
• one or more park brakes configured to ground one or more shafts to an axle housing of the electric axle;
• and
• a controller that, in a hill hold mode, engages the first clutch, the second clutch, and the one or more park brakes and, in disconnect mode, disengages the first clutch, the second clutch, and the one or more park brakes, where the disconnect mode is a towing state.

A method of switching between different modes of operation for an electric axle comprising:

• setting an axle in a neutral mode;
• transitioning an e-axle to drive mode, via engaging a first clutch or a second clutch, where the first clutch and the second clutch are clutches of at least a planetary gearset, where engaging the first clutch enables a first speed, and engaging the second clutch enables a second speed for a transmission rigidly coupled to and outputting to the electric axle;
• transitioning the electric axle to a hill hold mode when a hill hold command signal or event is detected via engaging the first clutch, the second clutch, and one or more brakes;
• transitioning the electric axle into park mode when a key off signal or event is detected via engaging the one or more brakes;
• sending a first set of command signals from a controller to a hydraulic pump and a valve block to engage the first clutch, the second clutch, and the one or more brakes;
• and
• sending a second set of command signals from the controller to the hydraulic pump and the valve block to disengage the first clutch, the second clutch, and the one or more brakes.