Methods and systems for a multi-speed electric axle assembly
Various methods and systems are provided for a multi-speed electric axle assembly with three gear ratios. The multi-speed electric axle assembly includes one or more power supplies, one or more shafts operatively coupled to the one or more power supplies and a differential, and one or more Ravigneaux gear assemblies integrated with the one or more shafts. The one or more Ravigneaux gear assemblies of the multi-speed electric axle assembly providing the three gear ratios.
1. A multi-speed electric axle assembly, comprising:
a first motor generator;
a first shaft in mechanical communication with the first motor generator;
a first gear assembly in mechanical communication the first shaft, the first gear assembly including a first sun gear, a first gear set in meshing engagement with the first sun gear, a second gear set in meshing engagement with the first gear set, a second sun gear, and a ring gear;
wherein the first gear set and the second gear set are coupled to a carrier;
wherein the carrier is selectively coupled to a first grounded member to operate in a first mode;
wherein the second sun gear is selectively coupled to a second grounded member to operate in a second mode;
wherein the first sun gear is selectively coupled to the second sun gear via a clutch to operate in a third mode; and
a differential in mechanical communication with the first gear assembly and two axle shafts that are coupled to two wheels; and
wherein the multi-speed electric axle assembly does not include an internal combustion engine.
2. The multi-speed electric axle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first motor generator is arranged perpendicular to the differential.
3. The multi-speed electric axle assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a second motor generator rotationally coupled to the first motor generator.
4. The multi-speed electric axle assembly of claim 3 , wherein the first motor generator and the second motor generator are coaxially arranged.
5. The multi-speed electric axle assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a controller configured to command selective engagement of the first grounded member, the second grounded member, and the clutch.
6. The multi-speed electric axle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first sun gear has an outermost diameter that is smaller than an outermost diameter of the second sun gear.
7. The multi-speed electric axle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the multi-speed electric axle assembly is a steerable axle assembly.
8. The multi-speed electric axle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the multi-speed electric axle assembly is a non-steerable axle assembly.
9. The multi-speed electric axle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the multi-speed electric axle assembly only includes the first gear assembly and a second gear assembly.
10. The multi-speed electric axle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first gear assembly is a Ravigneaux gear set.
11. The multi-speed electric axle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the multi-speed electric axle assembly is included in a heavy duty commercial vehicle.