US 11,965,585 B2
Electric vehicle multi-speed transmission with integrated fixed reducer gear set
Michael Long, Jonestown, PA (US); and Jeffrey Barber, Arvada, CO (US)
Assigned to Integrated Electric Drives, Inc., Arvada, CO (US)
Filed by Integrated Electric Drives, Inc., Arvada, CO (US)
Filed on Nov. 9, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/505,347.
Application 18/505,347 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2023/067300, filed on May 22, 2023.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/344,710, filed on May 23, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0068552 A1, Feb. 29, 2024
Int. Cl. F16H 37/04 (2006.01); B60K 1/00 (2006.01); F16H 57/021 (2012.01); F16H 57/02 (2012.01)
CPC F16H 37/04 (2013.01) [B60K 1/00 (2013.01); F16H 57/021 (2013.01); F16H 2057/02034 (2013.01); F16H 2057/0206 (2013.01); F16H 2057/0216 (2013.01); F16H 2200/0021 (2013.01); F16H 2200/0034 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A powertrain system for a commercial electric vehicle comprising:
an electric motor;
a multi-speed transmission including:
a drive shaft configured to rotate via the electric motor around a first axis;
a main shaft co-axial with the drive shaft and having a first end and a second end;
at least two selectable output ratios supported by at least one of the main shaft and the drive shaft;
at least one sliding dog clutch supported on the main shaft and configured to selectively engage a gear of the at least two selectable output ratios; and
a cluster shaft meshed with the at least two selectable output ratios, wherein the cluster shaft is configured to rotate around a second axis that is offset from the first axis, and wherein based on a position of the at least one sliding dog clutch, rotation of the drive shaft is transmitted through the cluster shaft and into rotation of the main shaft; and
a reducer assembly configured to receive the second end of the main shaft, the reducer assembly including:
a reducer pinion supported proximate the second end of the main shaft; and
an output shaft drivingly engaged with the reducer pinion, wherein the output shaft is configured to rotate around a third axis that is offset from the first axis and couple to a drive line of the commercial electric vehicle, and wherein the reducer assembly changes rotational speed of the main shaft prior to reaching the drive line, and wherein the main shaft is a split shaft with a first shaft having a reduced diameter relative to a second shaft, the second shaft extending into the reducer assembly.