公开(公告)号：US10234019B2

公开(公告)日：2019-03-19

申请号：US15068067

申请日：2016-03-11

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： Joseph R. Littlefield ,  Pete R. Garcia

IPC: F16H57/08 ,  F16H1/28 ,  F16H57/04

Abstract: A planetary gear set assembly for a transmission includes a planet carrier, a sun gear, a ring gear, a bearing plate, and a thrust bearing placed between the sun gear and the bearing plate. The bearing plate is retained by the planetary gear carrier and includes a plurality of lubrication features for providing a lubrication path from an input shaft through the thrust bearing and bearing plate to the pinion shafts.

公开(公告)号：US20180023635A1

公开(公告)日：2018-01-25

申请号：US15214041

申请日：2016-07-19

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： Vijay A. Neelakantan ,  Joseph R. Littlefield ,  Lawrence A. Kaminsky

IPC: F16D25/08 ,  F16D13/52 ,  F16H1/28 ,  F16D11/14

CPC classification number: F16D25/082 ,  F16D11/14 ,  F16D13/52 ,  F16D25/061 ,  F16D2011/006 ,  F16D2121/04 ,  F16D2121/14 ,  F16D2127/06 ,  F16H1/28

Abstract: A clutch assembly having a first clutch member, a second clutch member axially slidable in a first axial direction to engage the first clutch member and in a second axial direction to disengage from the first clutch member, a spring biasing the second clutch member in one of the axial directions, a piston actuatable to move the second clutch member in the other of the axial directions, thereby overcoming a biasing force of the spring, and a latching device to selectively lock the piston in at least one of the first axial direction and second axial direction. The latching device includes a selectively retractable locking pin. The piston has an external surface defining a slot to receive the locking pin, thereby locking the piston in the first position or the second position. A method of operating the clutch assembly is provided.

公开(公告)号：US10697524B2

公开(公告)日：2020-06-30

申请号：US15811736

申请日：2017-11-14

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： Joseph R. Littlefield ,  Alan G. Holmes ,  Rebecca K. Risko Cattell

IPC: F16H3/66 ,  F16H3/00 ,  F16H57/02

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes first and second power sources and a transmission assembly having first and second input members and an output member. The transmission assembly also includes a first multiple node planetary gear-set connected to both input members and a second multiple node planetary gear-set connected to the output member. The transmission assembly additionally includes a transmission housing retaining the first and second gear-sets. Furthermore, the transmission assembly includes a first torque-transmitting device for connecting one second gear-set node to the transmission housing and a second torque-transmitting device for connecting one first gear-set node to one second gear-set node. One first gear-set node is directly and continuously connected to one second gear-set node. The first and second power sources are connected to the first gear-set, and the first power source is connected to the first gear-set node not directly and continuously connected to the second gear-set.

公开(公告)号：US20180299000A1

公开(公告)日：2018-10-18

申请号：US16018541

申请日：2018-06-26

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Joseph R. Littlefield ,  Alan G. Holmes

IPC: F16H37/08 ,  B60K6/48 ,  B60K6/52 ,  B60K6/40

Abstract: A final drive assembly for a vehicle drive axle having first and second axle-shafts that are configured to rotate about a common first axis. The final drive assembly includes a first gear-set configured to be operatively connected to the first axle-shaft. The final drive assembly also includes a second gear-set configured to be operatively connected to the second axle-shaft. The final drive assembly additionally includes an electric motor configured to provide an electric motor torque input to each of the first and second gear-sets and arranged on a second axis that is parallel to the first axis.

公开(公告)号：US10533640B2

公开(公告)日：2020-01-14

申请号：US15641359

申请日：2017-07-05

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： Joseph R. Littlefield ,  Craig S. Ross

IPC: F16H3/66 ,  F16H3/10 ,  F16H3/091 ,  F16H3/089 ,  F16H3/36

Abstract: A powertrain includes an electric motor and a first planetary gear stage having a first rotatable member drivingly connected to the electric motor and at least one second rotatable member. A second planetary gear stage includes a third rotatable member drivingly connected to the at least one second rotatable member and includes at least one fourth rotatable member. One of the third rotatable member and the at least one fourth rotatable member is connected to an output member. A passive one-way clutch and a selectable one-way clutch are associated with at least one of the first and second planetary gear stages for varying operation of the first and second planetary gear stages based upon an operation state of the selectable one-way clutch and a direction of rotation of the electric motor.

公开(公告)号：US10300905B2

公开(公告)日：2019-05-28

申请号：US15608384

申请日：2017-05-30

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： Alan G. Holmes ,  Min-Joong Kim ,  Edward A. Rapa, Jr. ,  Brendan M. Conlon ,  Joseph R. Littlefield ,  Donald L. Dusenberry

IPC: B60W10/115 ,  F16H61/70 ,  B60L15/20 ,  F16H3/44 ,  B60L50/50

Abstract: An electric vehicle drive system includes an electric motor, first and second planetary gear sets, including sun gear, carrier and ring gear members, first and second output shafts, and a housing. The members of the first planetary gear set are connected with the electric motor, the first output shaft, and a member of the second planetary gear set. The members of the second planetary gear set are connected with the first planetary gear set, the housing, and the second output shaft. The first planetary gear set provides differential reduction and the second planetary gear set provides reversal and reduction. Optional clutches can provide the function of a limited slip differential and distribute torque preferentially to one output shaft or the other.

公开(公告)号：US10036458B2

公开(公告)日：2018-07-31

申请号：US15334333

申请日：2016-10-26

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Joseph R. Littlefield ,  Alan G. Holmes

IPC: F16H37/08 ,  B60K6/40 ,  B60K6/48 ,  B60K6/52

CPC classification number: F16H37/082 ,  B60K1/00 ,  B60K6/40 ,  B60K6/48 ,  B60K6/52 ,  B60K2001/001 ,  B60K2006/4833 ,  B60Y2200/92 ,  B60Y2400/73 ,  B60Y2400/80 ,  B60Y2400/82 ,  Y02T10/6221 ,  Y02T10/6265 ,  Y10S903/911 ,  Y10S903/916 ,  Y10S903/951

Abstract: A final drive assembly for a vehicle drive axle having first and second axle-shafts that are configured to rotate about a common first axis. The final drive assembly includes a first gear-set configured to be operatively connected to the first axle-shaft. The final drive assembly also includes a second gear-set configured to be operatively connected to the second axle-shaft. The final drive assembly additionally includes an electric motor configured to provide an electric motor torque input to each of the first and second gear-sets and arranged on a second axis that is parallel to the first axis.

公开(公告)号：US20170261095A1

公开(公告)日：2017-09-14

申请号：US15068067

申请日：2016-03-11

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： Joseph R. Littlefield ,  Pete R. Garcia

IPC: F16H57/04 ,  F16H1/28 ,  F16H57/08

CPC classification number: F16H57/082 ,  F16H1/28 ,  F16H57/043 ,  F16H57/0471 ,  F16H57/0479 ,  F16H2057/085

Abstract: A planetary gear set assembly for a transmission includes a planet carrier, a sun gear, a ring gear, a bearing plate, and a thrust bearing placed between the sun gear and the bearing plate. The bearing plate is retained by the planetary gear carrier and includes a plurality of lubrication features for providing a lubrication path from an input shaft through the thrust bearing and bearing plate to the pinion shafts.

公开(公告)号：US11383593B2

公开(公告)日：2022-07-12

申请号：US17085038

申请日：2020-10-30

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： Alan G. Holmes ,  Pete R. Garcia ,  Joseph R. Littlefield

IPC: B60K6/387 ,  B60K17/02 ,  B60K17/35 ,  F16D47/04 ,  B60K6/383 ,  B60K6/48 ,  B60K1/00

Abstract: An electric drive unit clutch for an automobile includes a first rotatable shaft, a one-way clutch fixedly mounted onto the first rotatable shaft, a dog clutch slidingly mounted onto the first rotatable shaft and adapted to rotate with the first rotatable shaft, a clutch ring positioned between the one-way clutch and the dog clutch, and a second rotatable shaft rotatable engaged with the clutch ring, wherein the clutch ring is adapted to transfer rotational motion from the second rotatable shaft through the one-way clutch and the dog clutch to the first rotatable shaft.

公开(公告)号：US20200062114A1

公开(公告)日：2020-02-27

申请号：US16113416

申请日：2018-08-27

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： Alan G. Holmes ,  Joseph R. Littlefield

IPC: B60K23/04 ,  B60K1/00 ,  B60K17/16 ,  F16H48/10 ,  F16H48/36 ,  F16H48/05

Abstract: An electric motor transaxle having a transaxle housing for a vehicle drive axle includes first and second axle-shafts that are configured to rotate about a common first axis. The transaxle includes a first planetary gear-set operatively connected to the first axle-shaft, configured to rotate about the first axis, and having first, second, third, and fourth members. The transaxle additionally includes a second planetary gear-set operatively connected to the second axle-shaft, configured to rotate about the first axis, and having first, second, third, and fourth members. The transaxle further includes an electric motor arranged on the first axis and configured to provide a direct electric motor torque input to each of the first and second planetary gear-sets. A vehicle drive axle for mounting in a motor vehicle and employing such an electric motor transaxle is also disclosed.