Multi-speed gearbox and the drive axle made therewith

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11949319-B2
Application number	US-202318174527-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 24, 2023
Priority date	Oct 1, 2018
Publication date	Apr 2, 2024
Grant date	Apr 2, 2024

Abstract

An electric drive axle of a vehicle includes an electric motor having an output shaft. An idler assembly is drivingly coupled to the electric motor and a differential. The idler assembly includes a first gear-clutch assembly to facilitate a first gear ratio and a second gear-clutch assembly to facilitate a second gear ratio.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method of operating a gear-clutch assembly, comprising:
providing an idler assembly including a rotatable shaft having a first gear-clutch assembly selectively coupled to a first end thereof and a second gear-clutch assembly selectively coupled to a second end thereof;
providing a first fluid source in fluid communication with at least one of the first gear-clutch assembly and the second gear-clutch assembly through at least one fluid passage; and
selectively causing a first fluid to flow from the first fluid source to facilitate at least one of selective engagement and lubrication to at least one of the first and second gear-clutch assemblies,
wherein the at least one fluid passage comprises a first section extending radially outward to an outer peripheral surface of the rotatable shaft, and a second section fluidly connected to at least one aperture formed about a circumference of a clutch drum of the first gear-clutch assembly.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising selectively causing a second fluid to flow from a second fluid source to facilitate at least one of selective engagement and lubrication to at least one of the first and second gear-clutch assemblies.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the first fluid and the second fluid are different fluids.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid contains oil.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the rotatable shaft includes a gear that directly meshes with a gear in a differential.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the gear that directly meshes with the differential gear is positioned axially between the first gear-clutch assembly and the second gear-clutch assembly.

7. The method of claim 1 , the first gear-clutch assembly further includes a plurality of first clutch plates and a plurality of second clutch plates.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of first clutch plates are in slidable engagement with a gear and the plurality of second clutch plates are in slidable engagement with a clutch drum.

9. A method of operating a gear-clutch assembly, comprising:
providing an idler assembly including a rotatable shaft having a first gear-clutch assembly selectively coupled to a first end thereof and a second gear-clutch assembly selectively coupled to a second end thereof;
providing a first fluid source in fluid communication with at least one of the first gear-clutch assembly and the second gear-clutch assembly through at least one fluid passage; and
selectively causing a first fluid to flow from the first fluid source to facilitate at least one of selective engagement and lubrication to at least one of the first and second gear-clutch assemblies, wherein:
the idler assembly is drivingly coupled to an electric motor;
the first gear-clutch assembly includes a gear having a clutch at least partially disposed therein;
the clutch includes a clutch drum disposed at least partially concentrically within the gear; and
the clutch drum includes at least one aperture formed therein which is in fluid communication with the at least one fluid passage.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the electric motor is positioned parallel to a differential.

Assignees

• Dana Automotive Systems Group

Inventors

• Devaraj Gowrisankar
• Engerman Eric M
• Lohr Iii Charles B
• Mcindoe Gordon M
• Miller Travis J
• Nelms Ryan D
• Simister Matthew
• Wright Ned W

Classifications

• H02K7/1163 Primary

  where at least two gears have non-parallel axes without having orbital motion · CPC title

• B60K6/36

  characterised by the transmission gearings · CPC title

• F16H3/126

  using an electric drive · CPC title

• F16H2003/0936

  with multiple countershafts comprising only two idle gears and one gear fixed to the countershaft · CPC title

• B60K1/00 Primary

  Arrangement or mounting of electrical propulsion units (B60K7/00 takes precedence; arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion B60K6/00) · CPC title