Electric drive axle with multi-speed gearbox

1. An electric drive axle, comprising:

an electric motor;

a first shaft in driving engagement with said electric motor;

a first gear coupled with said first shaft;

a second gear coupled with said first shaft;

a second shaft disposed offset from said first shaft;

a third gear selectively coupled with said second shaft, wherein said third gear is meshed with said first gear;

a fourth gear selectively coupled with said second shaft, wherein said fourth gear is meshed with said second gear;

a fifth gear coupled with said second shaft;

a sixth gear coupled with a differential case, wherein said sixth gear is meshed with said fifth gear;

a first clutch disposed at least partially concentrically within said second gear or said third gear;

a first fluid conduit disposed at least partially through said first shaft or said second shaft and in fluid communication with a clutch drum in said first clutch;

a second clutch disposed at least partially concentrically within said fourth gear; and

a second fluid conduit disposed at least partially through a second end of said second shaft, wherein said second clutch comprises a clutch drum rotatably supported on said second shaft in fluid communication with said second fluid conduit;

wherein said first clutch is at least partially concentrically disposed within said third gear; and

wherein the first fluid conduit is disposed at least partially through a first end of said second shaft and wherein the clutch drum is rotatably supported on said second shaft.

2. The electric drive axle according to claim 1 , wherein said first clutch comprises:

a clutch hub coupled with said second shaft; and

a clutch drum disposed concentrically about said clutch hub, wherein said third gear is coupled with a radially outer surface of said clutch drum.

3. The electric drive axle according to claim 1 , wherein said fifth gear is disposed axially between said third gear and said fourth gear.

4. The electric drive axle according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a housing, wherein said first shaft, said second shaft, and said differential case are rotatably supported within the housing.

5. The electric drive axle according to claim 1 , wherein:

said first clutch and said second clutch are selectively hydraulically actuated.

6. The electric drive axle according to claim 1 , wherein said first clutch comprises:

a clutch hub coupled with said second shaft;

a clutch drum disposed concentrically about said clutch hub, wherein said third gear is coupled with a radially outer surface of said clutch drum;

a first plurality of clutch plates in splined engagement with said clutch drum;

a second plurality of clutch plates in splined engagement with said clutch hub, wherein said first and second pluralities of clutch plates are interleaved;

a pressure plate disposed within said clutch drum axially adjacent to the first and second pluralities of clutch plates;

a support plate disposed axially adjacent to said pressure plate, wherein said support plate comprises one or more apertures;

an apply plate having one or more axially projecting lugs disposed through said one or more apertures in said support plate; and

a piston member disposed axially adjacent to said apply plate.

7. An electric drive axle, comprising:

a motor output shaft including a first gear and a second gear;

an idler shaft including:

a third gear in meshed engagement with the first gear; and

a fourth gear in meshed engagement with the second gear;

a first clutch disposed at least partially concentrically within the third gear;

a first fluid conduit axially extending through the idler shaft and in fluid communication with a piston member in the first clutch; and

a second clutch disposed concentrically within the fourth gear, wherein the first clutch and second clutch are configured to simultaneously engage in a parking brake mode.

8. The electric drive axle according to claim 7 , further comprising:

a second fluid conduit extending through the idler shaft and in fluid communication with a piston member in the second clutch.

9. The electric drive axle according to claim 7 , wherein:

the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit are disposed on opposing sides of the idler shaft.

10. An electric drive axle, comprising:

a motor output shaft including a first gear and a second gear;

an idler shaft including:

a third gear in meshed engagement with the first gear; and

a fourth gear in meshed engagement with the second gear;

a first clutch disposed at least partially concentrically within the third gear;

a first fluid conduit axially extending through the idler shaft and in fluid communication with a piston member in the first clutch; and

a needle bearing coupled to a clutch drum and a clutch hub in the first clutch.

11. The electric drive axle according to claim 10 , further comprising a second clutch disposed within the second gear.

12. The electric drive axle according to claim 11 , wherein the second clutch is axially offset from the first clutch.

13. The electric drive axle according to claim 10 , further comprising a second clutch disposed concentrically within the fourth gear, wherein the first clutch and second clutch are configured to simultaneously engage in a parking brake mode.

14. The electric drive axle according to claim 13 , further comprising a second fluid conduit extending through the idler shaft and in fluid communication with a piston member in the second clutch.

15. The electric drive axle according to claim 14 , wherein the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit are disposed on opposing sides of the idler shaft.

16. The electric drive axle according to claim 10 , further comprising:

a hydraulically actuated apply plate with a plurality of lugs which are adjacent to a pressure plate in the first clutch; and

a support plate including a plurality of apertures with the plurality of lugs extending therethrough.