Electric vehicle transmission

Abstract

An electric vehicle transmission for a vehicle and lubricated by oil includes a housing extending along an axis. The housing defines a housing interior, an inlet for receiving oil from the housing interior, an inlet for receiving oil from the housing interior, an outlet for discharging oil, and a passage in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet. The outlet is spaced radially inwardly from the inlet.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to and all advantages of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 342,731, filed on May 17, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention generally relates to an electric vehicle transmission. Background Art

[0003] A conventional electric vehicle transmission for a vehicle includes a housing defining an interior of the housing and an oil sump for holding oil, an electric motor including a rotor and a stator disposed in the interior of the housing, a shaft disposed in the interior of the housing and extending along an axis, wherein the shaft is rotatably coupled to the rotor of the electric motor, and a gear reduction assembly disposed in the interior of the housing. The gear reduction assembly is rotatably coupled to the shaft for transmitting rotational torque to the wheels of the vehicle. The oil is typically distributed from the oil sump to the entire electric vehicle transmission using at least one pump. However, a typical electric vehicle transmission that uses at least one pump to distribute the oil to the entire electric vehicle transmission requires at least one larger pump, which takes up space in the vehicle and increases the cost of the electric vehicle components.

[0004] Therefore, there remains a need for an improved electric vehicle transmission. Summary of the invention

[0005] An electric vehicle transmission for a vehicle and lubricated by oil includes a housing extending along an axis. The housing defines a housing interior, an inlet for receiving oil from the housing interior, an inlet for receiving oil from the housing interior, an outlet for draining oil, and a passage in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet. The outlet is radially spaced inwardly from the inlet.

[0006] An outlet defined by the housing is radially inwardly spaced from an inlet defined by the housing, allowing oil to flow from the inlet through the passage and out of the outlet so that the oil is discharged at a radially inward position relative to the inlet. Since the inlet, passage, and outlet are defined by the housing, and the housing is stationary relative to the axis, no centrifugal force is exerted on the oil that would prevent the oil from flowing radially inwardly toward the axis. The oil discharged from the outlet is then able to flow to lubricate the electric vehicle transmission. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Other advantages of the present disclosure will be readily appreciated as the same will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0008] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a transmission for an electric vehicle; Figure 2 yes Figure 1A partial perspective view of a cross-section of an electric vehicle transmission, wherein the electric vehicle transmission defines a first oil sump and a second oil sump; Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A partial perspective view of another cross-section of an electric vehicle transmission, wherein the electric vehicle transmission includes a bracket and a bracket cover coupled to the bracket; Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A partial perspective view of another cross-section of an electric vehicle transmission of , wherein the housing defines a passage extending radially inwardly bisected along line AA; Figure 5 is a front view of a bracket cover, wherein the bracket cover defines a manifold channel, a first supply channel one of which is generally bisected along line BB, and a second supply channel one of which is generally bisected along line CC; Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 a cross-sectional view of the bracket cover taken along line BB of FIG. 1 , showing one of the first supply channels; Figure 7 It is along Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the bracket cover taken along line CC of FIG. 1 , showing one of the second supply channels; Figure 8 It is along Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of an electric vehicle transmission taken in the general direction indicated by line AA in which the housing defines a second sump, a passage, an outlet, a main supply passage, a manifold passage, and a labyrinth passage; Fig. 9 It is along Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of an electric vehicle transmission taken in the general direction indicated by line BB in FIG. 1 , wherein the carrier cover defines a first supply passage to direct oil to a pinion gear and a needle bearing supporting the pinion gear; Fig.10 It is along Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of an electric vehicle transmission taken in the general direction indicated by line CC in, wherein the carrier cover defines a second supply passage to direct oil to the differential, a bushing supporting the differential, and a ball bearing supporting the pinion; Fig.11 is a perspective view of an electric vehicle transmission, wherein the electric vehicle transmission includes three pinion gears; Fig.12 yes Fig.11 A partial perspective view of a cross-section of an electric vehicle transmission, wherein an opening defined by the housing is in fluid communication with a second sump; Fig.13 is a perspective view of a carrier, a carrier cover, and a pinion gear as viewed from the front of an electric vehicle transmission; Fig.14is an exploded view of a carrier, carrier cover, pinion gear and differential as viewed from the front of an electric vehicle transmission; Fig.15 is a front view of a carrier, wherein the carrier has an interior surface shaped to receive each pinion and defining an opening in a radially distalmost portion on either side of each pinion; Fig.16 is a perspective view of a carrier and pinion gear viewed from the rear of an electric vehicle transmission; Fig.17 is an exploded view of a carrier, carrier cover, pinion gear and differential as viewed from the rear of an electric vehicle transmission; Fig.18 is the rear view of the bracket; Fig.19 is a cross-sectional view of an electric vehicle transmission, wherein the interior of a housing is divided into a gear reduction side and a motor side, wherein the electric vehicle transmission includes a motor having a rotor and a stator disposed in the motor side of the housing interior; and Fig. 20 is a transparent interior view of an electric vehicle transmission with oil in a first sump, a second sump, a passage, a main supply passage, a manifold passage, a first supply passage, and a second supply passage. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which like numbers represent like parts in the multiple views, an electric vehicle transmission 100 for a vehicle includes a housing 102 extending along an axis A1 and defining a housing interior 104. The electric vehicle transmission 100 can be lubricated by oil. The housing 102 defines an inlet 106 for receiving oil from the housing interior 104, an outlet 108 for discharging oil, and a passage 110 in fluid communication with the inlet 106 and the outlet 108. The outlet 108 is radially spaced inwardly from the inlet 106. The housing 102 can be rotationally stationary relative to the axis A1, and the housing interior 104 can be divided into a motor side 112 and a gear reduction side 114.

[0010] The electric vehicle transmission 100 may also include an electric motor 116 disposed in the housing interior 104. The electric motor 116 may include a rotor 118 and a stator 120. The electric vehicle transmission 100 may include an input shaft 122 disposed in the housing interior 104 and extending along the axis A1, and the input shaft 122 may be rotatably coupled to the rotor 118 of the electric motor 116. The electric motor 116 may provide rotational torque to the input shaft 122. The electric vehicle transmission 100 may further include a first output shaft 124 spaced apart from the input shaft 122 along the axis A1 and a second output shaft 125 concentrically arranged within the input shaft 122. Both the first output shaft 124 and the second output shaft 125 are rotatably coupled to the input shaft 122. The electric vehicle transmission 100 may further include a differential 126 coupled to the first output shaft 124 and the second output shaft 125. The differential 126 may be supported by a bushing 128.

[0011] The electric vehicle transmission 100 may include a gear reduction assembly 130 disposed within the housing interior 104 of the housing 102 and coupled to the input shaft 122 and the first output shaft 124 to adjust the transfer of torque between the input shaft 122 and the first output shaft 124. It should be understood that the first output shaft 124 can be configured to transfer rotational torque to one wheel of the vehicle, and the second output shaft 125 can be configured to transfer rotational torque to another wheel of the vehicle. Although not required, it should also be understood that the electric vehicle transmission 100 can be positioned laterally relative to the vehicle.

[0012] The gear reduction assembly 130 may include a number of components that are configured to rotate or otherwise move relative to the axis A1 and / or relative to the housing 102. In a non-limiting example, Figure 2 , 3 As shown in FIG. 8-20, the gear reduction assembly 130 can be further defined as a planetary gear set 132. The planetary gear set 132 can include a plurality of pinions 134 arranged around the axis A1. The plurality of pinions 134 can be further defined as three pinions 134. The three pinions 134 can be radially spaced 120 degrees apart from each other around the axis A1. Each pinion can include a first gear portion 136, a pinion shaft 138 extending from the first gear portion 136 along the axis A1, and a second gear portion 140 spaced apart from the first gear portion along the axis A1.

[0013] The planetary gear set 132 may further include a plurality of needle bearings 142 and a plurality of ball bearings 144 to support the rotation of the plurality of pinion gears 134. More specifically, as Fig. 9 , 14, 17 and 19, each pinion 134 can be supported by a needle bearing 142 adjacent to the second gear portion 140 and by a ball bearing 144 adjacent to the first gear portion 136. Each needle bearing can include an outer ring rotatably fixed to a bracket 148 and a plurality of needles disposed in the outer ring. Each ball bearing 144 can include an inner race 150, a plurality of balls 152, and an outer race 154. The inner race 150 can be rotationally fixed relative to the pinion 134, and the outer race 154 can be rotationally fixed relative to the bracket 148. It should also be understood that the differential 126 can be coupled to the bracket 148.

[0014] The planetary gear set 132 may further include a sun gear 156 coupled to the input shaft 122. The sun gear 156 may be disposed in a meshing arrangement with a plurality of pinion gears and configured to transfer rotational torque from the input shaft 122 to the plurality of pinion gears 134. The planetary gear set 132 may further include a carrier 148 coupled to the plurality of pinion gears 134 to support the plurality of pinion gears 134. The planetary gear set 132 may further include a ring gear 158 disposed radially around the plurality of pinion gears 134 and disposed in a meshing arrangement with the plurality of pinion gears 134.

[0015] The oil lubricates various components of the gear reduction assembly 130, including, but not limited to, the pinion 134, the ball bearing 144, the needle bearing 142, the differential 126, the ring gear 158, the sun gear 156, and the carrier 148. When the oil contacts the components of the gear reduction assembly 130, centrifugal force can be applied to the oil, thereby causing the oil to be thrown radially outward relative to the axis A1. Some of the oil thrown out by the gear reduction assembly 130 contacts the housing 102 and flows through the inlet 106 defined by the housing 102. The oil flowing through the inlet 106 defined by the housing 102 continues to flow through the passage 110 defined by the housing 102 and flows to the outlet 108 defined by the housing 102. It should be understood that since the housing 102 is stationary, the housing 102 does not apply centrifugal force to the oil flowing through the inlet 106, the passage 110, and the outlet 108. Thus, the inlet 106, passage 110, and outlet 108, all defined by the housing 102, help to divert the oil toward the axis A1 to lubricate the components of the gear reduction assembly 130 without applying centrifugal forces to the oil that would throw the oil away from the axis A1. It should be appreciated that lubrication of the components of the gear reduction assembly 130 that are disposed radially close to the axis A1 is thereby ensured to be adequately lubricated.

[0016] The housing 102 of the electric vehicle transmission 100 may also define a first sump 160 for holding oil and a second sump 162 for holding oil spaced apart from the first sump 160. The second sump 162 and the first sump 160 may be configured such that the gear reduction assembly 130 is lubricated when oil flows from the first sump 160 into the first sump 160. The first sump 160 may be defined immediately adjacent to (e.g., "below") the gear reduction assembly 130 such that oil that is thrown radially outward relative to the axis A1 and in contact with the housing 102 then flows along the housing 102 with the aid of gravity to be collected in the first sump 160. The second sump 162 may be defined within the housing 102 itself, spaced apart from the first sump 160 and the housing interior 104, but in fluid communication with the first sump 160 and the housing interior 104. It should be understood that the second sump 162 may be spaced radially outward relative to the first sump 160.

[0017] The electric vehicle transmission 100 may further include a disc 164 coupled to the gear reduction assembly 130. The disc 164 may be configured to transport oil from the first sump 160 to the second sump 162 during operation of the electric vehicle transmission 100, for example, during rotation, movement, and / or operation of the gear reduction assembly 130. The disc 164 may have a circular configuration and may have one or more disc surfaces 166. The disc surface 166 may have a flat configuration or may have protrusions and / or depressions to help transport oil from the first sump 160 to the second sump 162 during rotation of the disc 164. Although not required, it should also be understood that the disc 164 may be a component of the gear reduction assembly 130. In a non-limiting example, the disc 164 may be integrated into the carrier 148 of the planetary gear set 132, such that the disc 164 may be integral with the carrier 148 of the planetary gear set 132.

[0018] like Figure 2 , 3As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the housing 102 may include a housing protrusion 168 extending into the second oil sump 162 to further define the second oil sump 162. The housing protrusion 168 may be integral with the housing 102, or may be a separate component that is fixed (such as pressed into) the housing 102. The housing protrusion 168 helps prevent oil from flowing from the second oil sump 162 through the inlet 106 defined by the housing 102. The housing 102 may define an upper overflow drain hole in the second oil sump 162 for allowing oil to flow between the motor side 112 and the gear reduction side 114. The housing 102 may define a lower overflow drain hole in the first oil sump 160 for allowing oil to flow between the motor side 112 and the gear reduction side 114. The electric vehicle transmission 100 may include a pump for circulating oil in the motor side 112 of the housing interior 104. In contrast, the electric vehicle transmission 100 may not have a pump for circulating oil in the gear reduction side 114 of the housing interior 104. In other words, other than the disk 164, there may be no separate mechanism for actively moving oil from the first sump 160 to the second sump 162 in the gear reduction side 114 of the housing interior 104. Therefore, the gear reduction side 114 of the housing interior 104 may be considered a low pressure system.

[0019] An inlet 106 defined by the housing 102 can be in fluid communication with the first sump 160 and the housing interior 104, and the inlet 106 can receive oil from the first sump and the housing interior, and the inlet 106 can be in fluid communication with the second sump 162, and the inlet 106 can discharge the oil into the second sump. The second sump 162 can be in fluid communication with the passage 110, and the second sump 162 can discharge the oil into the passage. The passage 110 can be defined as extending at least partially radially inward from the second sump 162 toward the axis A1, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 , 8 and 20. Figure 4 The general direction indicated by line AA is Figure 8 1. The oil may flow from the second sump 162 through the passage 110 with the aid of gravity. Since the passage 110 is defined by the housing 102 and the housing 102 is stationary relative to the axis A1, no centrifugal force is exerted on the oil that would prevent the oil from flowing radially inward toward the axis A1. The oil flowing through the passage 110 then flows to lubricate the various components of the gear reduction assembly 130 and flows back to the first sump 160.

[0020] The second oil sump 162 and the first oil sump 160 may be configured to passively control the flow of oil between the second oil sump 162 and the first oil sump 160. In a non-limiting example, Figure 1 , 4As shown in Figures 1 and 8, the electric vehicle transmission 100 may include an orifice 170 disposed between the second oil sump 162 and the first oil sump 160, for example, disposed in the passage 110, and the orifice 170 may be configured to passively adjust the flow rate of oil through the orifice 170, and thus also adjust the flow rate of oil through the passage 110. The orifice 170 may be configured to passively adjust the flow rate of oil by limiting a reduced cross-sectional flow area through which oil can flow. Alternatively or additionally, the electric vehicle transmission 100 may include a valve disposed between the second oil sump 162 and the first oil sump 160, for example, in the passage X, and the valve may be configured to actively control the flow of oil between the second oil sump 162 and the first oil sump 160. For example, the valve may include an electromagnet to open, close, or partially open / partially close the valve so that oil can flow freely through the passage, prevent oil from flowing, or partially allow oil to flow through the passage 110.

[0021] The electric vehicle transmission 100 may further include a housing cover 172 coupled to the housing 102 and a ball bearing 174, such as a single-sided dust bearing 174, disposed within one or both of the housing 102 and the housing cover 172. The single-sided dust bearing 174 may include an outer race 176, a plurality of balls 178, and an inner race 180 that are rotationally fixed relative to the housing 102 and / or the housing cover 172. The electric vehicle transmission 100 may also include a bracket cover 182 coupled to the bracket 148. More specifically, the bracket cover 182 may be rotationally fixed to the bracket 148. The inner race 180 of the single-sided dust bearing 174 may be rotationally fixed relative to the bracket cover 182. The outlet 108 defined by the housing 102 may direct oil to lubricate the single-sided dust bearing 174.

[0022] The outlet 108 of the housing 102 can direct the oil directly to the gear reduction assembly 130. Alternatively, the outlet 108 of the housing 102 can direct the oil through additional passages, and more specifically, these additional passages direct the oil to various components of the gear reduction assembly 130 that need lubrication the most. In a non-limiting example, as Figure 4 , 8 , 9 and 10, the housing 102 and the bracket cover 182 adjacent to the outlet 108 may define a main supply passage 184 therebetween. The main supply passage 184 may be completely circumferentially defined around the axis A1 and may be defined to extend along the axis A1. The main supply passage 184 may be in fluid communication with the outlet 108 defined by the housing 102, such that oil discharged from the outlet 108 of the housing 102 flows through the main supply passage 184.

[0023] The bracket cover 182 can define a manifold channel 186 and can define a plurality of first supply channels 188, such as Figure 5 , 6and 9, and may define a plurality of second supply channels 190, such as Figure 5 , 7 10. Manifold passage 186 may be in fluid communication with main supply passage 184 such that oil exhausted from main supply passage 184 flows through manifold passage 186. Bracket cover 182 may define manifold passage 186 to extend completely circumferentially around axis A1, and may define manifold passage 186 to extend radially away from axis A1.

[0024] It should be understood that the rotating bracket cover 182 and the stationary housing 102 are prevented from contacting each other. Therefore, the interface between the rotating bracket cover 182 and the stationary housing 102 requires a mechanism to prevent the oil from being thrown radially outward toward the housing 102 due to the centrifugal force applied to the oil from the bracket cover 182, and instead be directed to the various components of the gear reduction assembly 130 that are most in need of lubrication. To this end, the bracket cover 182 may also include a lip 192 extending radially inward, wherein the lip 192 partially defines the manifold channel 186. The lip 192 ensures that the oil flowing into the manifold channel 186 from the main supply channel 184 is not thrown out of direct contact with the housing 102, but is directed to the first supply channel 188 and / or the second supply channel 190. In addition, the interface between the rotating bracket cover 182 and the stationary housing 102 may define a tortuous path 194 to further prevent the oil from being thrown from the manifold channel 186 to the housing 102 before flowing through any one or both of the first supply channel 188 and the second supply channel 190. The lip 192 may partially define the tortuous path 194 .

[0025] The oil flowing through the manifold passage 186 is directed to one or both of the first supply passage 188 and the second supply passage 190. It should be understood that the first supply passage 188 and the second supply passage 190 may be at the same radial height relative to the axis A1 to prevent the oil from preferentially flowing into either the first supply passage 188 or the second supply passage 190. Figure 5 The general direction of the bracket cover 182 indicated by the line BB in Figure 6 and 9 is shown in cross section, and Figure 5 The general direction of the bracket cover 182 indicated by the line CC is in Figure 7 and 10 It is shown in cross section. Figure 5 As shown, the first supply passages 188 may be defined radially spaced 120 degrees from each other about the axis A1 , and the second supply passages 190 may be defined radially spaced such that two second supply passages are circumferentially defined between adjacent pairs of the first supply passages 188 .

[0026] The plurality of first supply passages 188 may be further defined as three first supply passages 188. Each of the first supply passages 188 may be defined as tapered 196 radially outward relative to the axis A1, such that the centrifugal force exerted on the oil will force the oil to flow radially outward along the tapered 196. Each of the first supply passages 188 may be defined as directing oil from the main supply passage 184 to one needle bearing 142 and one pinion gear 134, more specifically, to the second gear portion 140 of the pinion gear 134, thereby lubricating the needle bearing 142 and the second gear portion 140 of the pinion gear 134. The oil flowing through the first supply passage 188 to lubricate the needle bearing 142 and the second gear portion 140 of the pinion gear 134 then flows radially outward due to the centrifugal force, contacts the housing 102, and returns to the first sump 160 with the help of gravity.

[0027] The plurality of second supply passages 190 may be further defined as six second supply passages 190. Each of the second supply passages 190 may be defined as tapering 198 radially outward relative to the axis A1 such that centrifugal force exerted on the oil will force the oil to flow radially outward along the taper 198. Each of the second supply passages 190 may be defined as directing oil from the main supply passage 184 to the differential 126 and the bushing 128 supporting the differential 126, thereby lubricating the differential 126 and the bushing 128 supporting the differential 126.

[0028] The oil flowing through the second supply passage 190 may then flow through the plurality of openings 200 defined by the bracket 148 to the ball bearing 144 supporting the rotation of the pinion gear 134 to lubricate the ball bearing 144. Fig.15 As shown, the bracket 148 can define six openings. It should be understood that the inner surface 202 of the bracket 148 is shaped to accommodate each pinion 134. Therefore, on either side of each pinion 134, the inner surface 202 of the bracket 148 has a portion 204 that is radially farthest from the axis A1, and lubricant can collect in the portion due to the centrifugal force exerted on the oil. Therefore, the openings 200 can be defined in these radially farthest portions 204 to prevent oil from accumulating within the bracket 148. In addition, adjacent pairs of openings 200 can be fluidly connected by a bridge channel defined by the bracket 148 between adjacent pairs of openings 200. The oil flowing through the second supply channel 190 to lubricate the differential 126, the bushing 128, and the ball bearing 144 then flows radially outward due to centrifugal force, contacts the housing 102, and returns to the first sump 160 with the help of gravity.

[0029] Thus, it should be appreciated that oil flowing from the first sump 160 through any of the inlet 106, the second sump 162, the passage 110, the outlet 108, the main supply passage 184, the manifold passage 186, and the first supply passage 188 and the second supply passage 190 largely defines a closed system for the gear reduction side 114 of the housing interior 104 before returning to the first sump 160. However, it should also be appreciated that some oil may be transferred between the gear reduction side 114 and the motor side 112 of the housing interior 104.

[0030] Embodiment 1: An electric vehicle transmission for a vehicle and lubricated by oil, the electric vehicle transmission comprising: a housing extending along an axis and defining, Inside the shell, an inlet for receiving oil from an interior of the housing, an outlet for discharging the oil, and a passageway in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet, Wherein, the outlet is spaced apart from the inlet inwardly in the radial direction.

[0031] Embodiment 2: The electric vehicle transmission as described in Embodiment 1 further includes an input shaft arranged in the housing interior of the housing and an electric motor arranged in the housing interior, the electric motor including a rotor rotatably coupled to the input shaft and a stator arranged around the rotor.

[0032] Embodiment 3: The electric vehicle transmission as described in Embodiment 2 further includes an output shaft spaced apart from the input shaft and a gear reduction assembly disposed within the interior of the housing, the gear reduction assembly being coupled to the input shaft and coupled to the output shaft to adjust the transmission of torque between the input shaft and the output shaft.

[0033] Embodiment 4: The electric vehicle transmission as described in any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the housing further defines a first oil sump for retaining oil and a second oil sump for retaining oil spaced apart from the first oil sump.

[0034] Embodiment 5: The electric vehicle transmission of Embodiment 4, wherein the passageway is defined to extend radially inwardly from the second sump.

[0035] Embodiment 6: The electric vehicle transmission as described in any of the preceding embodiments, further comprising an orifice disposed in the passage, the orifice being configured to adjust a flow rate of oil through the passage.

[0036] Embodiment 7: The electric vehicle transmission as described in Embodiment 1, further comprising an input shaft disposed in the interior of the housing, an output shaft disposed in the interior of the housing and spaced apart from the input shaft along the axis, and a gear reduction assembly disposed in the interior of the housing and coupled to the input shaft and the output shaft to adjust the transmission of torque between the input shaft and the output shaft; wherein the gear reduction assembly is further defined as a planetary gear set having a carrier; and Wherein, the electric vehicle transmission further includes a bracket cover rotationally fixed to the bracket.

[0037] Embodiment 8: The electric vehicle transmission as described in Embodiment 7, further comprising a housing cover coupled to the housing and a single-sided dust-proof bearing disposed in at least one selected from the housing interior of the housing and the housing cover.

[0038] Embodiment 9: An electric vehicle transmission as described in Embodiment 8, wherein the one-sided dustproof bearing has an outer race fixed to at least one of the housing and the housing cover, an inner race rotationally fixed relative to the bracket cover, and balls arranged between the outer race and the inner race.

[0039] Embodiment 10: The electric vehicle transmission as described in any of Embodiments 8 and 9, wherein the outlet of the housing is configured to direct oil directly to the single-sided dust-proof bearing.

[0040] Embodiment 11: The electric vehicle transmission as described in any of Embodiments 7 to 10, wherein the housing adjacent to the outlet and the bracket cover define a main supply channel therebetween.

[0041] Embodiment 12: The electric vehicle transmission of Embodiment 11, wherein the carrier cover defines a manifold channel in fluid communication with the main supply channel, a first supply passage in fluid communication with the manifold passage, and A second supply passage is in fluid communication with the manifold passage.

[0042] Embodiment 13: The electric vehicle transmission of Embodiment 12, wherein the carrier cover includes a lip extending radially inwardly, wherein the lip partially defines the manifold channel.

[0043] Embodiment 14: An electric vehicle transmission as described in Embodiment 13, wherein a tortuous path is defined at the interface between the bracket cover and the housing to prevent oil from being thrown from the manifold channel to the housing before flowing through either or both of the first supply channel and the second supply channel.

[0044] Embodiment 15: The electric vehicle transmission of Embodiment 14, wherein the lip at least partially defines the tortuous path.

[0045] Embodiment 16: The electric vehicle transmission of any one of Embodiments 12 to 15, wherein the first feed channel and the second feed channel are at the same radial height relative to the axis.

[0046] Embodiment 17: The electric vehicle transmission of any one of Embodiments 12 to 16, wherein the first supply passage is further defined as a plurality of first supply passages spaced 120 degrees apart from one another about the axis.

[0047] Embodiment 18: The electric vehicle transmission of Embodiment 17, wherein the second supply channel is further defined as a plurality of second supply channels, the plurality of second supply channels being defined as being radially spaced apart such that two second supply channels are circumferentially defined between adjacent pairs of first supply channels.

[0048] Embodiment 19: The electric vehicle transmission of any one of Embodiments 12 to 18, wherein the first supply passage is defined as tapering radially outwardly relative to the axis.

[0049] Embodiment 20: The electric vehicle transmission of any one of Embodiments 12 to 19, wherein the second feed passage is defined as tapering radially outwardly relative to the axis.

[0050] Embodiment 21: An electric vehicle transmission as described in any of Embodiments 12 to 20, wherein the planetary gear set further includes a plurality of pinion gears coupled to the carrier, each of the plurality of pinion gears being supported by a needle bearing, and wherein the first supply channel is defined to direct oil from the manifold channel to the needle bearing and the pinion gears.

[0051] Embodiment 22: The electric vehicle transmission as described in any of Embodiments 12 to 21, further comprising a differential disposed in the housing interior of the housing, wherein the second supply passage is defined to direct oil from the manifold passage to the differential.

[0052] Embodiment 23: The electric vehicle transmission as described in Embodiment 22 further includes a plurality of ball bearings supporting the rotation of the plurality of pinions, wherein the bracket defines a plurality of openings, and wherein the second supply channel is configured to direct oil to the plurality of ball bearings through the plurality of openings.

[0053] Embodiment 24: An electric vehicle transmission as described in Embodiment 23, wherein the bracket has an internal surface formed to accommodate each pinion, wherein the internal surface has a plurality of radially farthest portions from the axis on either side of each pinion, and wherein the opening is defined in the radially farthest portions.

[0054] Embodiment 25: The electric vehicle transmission of Embodiment 24, wherein adjacent pairs of openings are fluidly connected by bridge passages defined by the bracket between adjacent pairs of openings.

Claims

1. An electric vehicle transmission for a vehicle and lubricated by oil, the electric vehicle transmission comprising: a housing extending along an axis and defining, Inside the shell, an inlet for receiving the oil from an interior of the housing, an outlet for discharging the oil, and a passageway in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet, Wherein, the outlet is spaced apart from the inlet inwardly in the radial direction.

2. The electric vehicle transmission of claim 1, further comprising an input shaft disposed in the housing interior of the housing and an electric motor disposed in the housing interior, the electric motor comprising a rotor rotatably coupled to the input shaft and a stator disposed around the rotor.

3. The electric vehicle transmission as described in claim 2 further includes an output shaft spaced apart from the input shaft and a gear reduction assembly arranged in the interior of the housing, the gear reduction assembly being coupled to the input shaft and coupled to the output shaft to adjust the transmission of torque between the input shaft and the output shaft.

4. The electric vehicle transmission according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The housing further defines a first oil sump for holding oil and a second oil sump spaced apart from the first oil sump for holding oil.

5. The electric vehicle transmission of claim 4, wherein: The passage is defined extending radially inwardly from the second sump. 6 . The electric vehicle transmission of claim 1 , further comprising an orifice disposed within the passage, the orifice configured to adjust a flow rate of oil through the passage.

7. The electric vehicle transmission of claim 1, further comprising an input shaft disposed in the interior of the housing, an output shaft disposed in the interior of the housing and spaced apart from the input shaft along the axis, and a gear reduction assembly disposed in the interior of the housing and coupled to the input shaft and the output shaft to adjust the transfer of torque between the input shaft and the output shaft; in, The gear reduction assembly is further defined as a planetary gear set having a carrier; and Wherein, the electric vehicle transmission further includes a bracket cover rotationally fixed to the bracket. 8 . The electric vehicle transmission of claim 7 , further comprising a housing cover coupled to the housing, and a single-sided dust-proof bearing disposed in at least one selected from the housing interior of the housing and the housing cover.

9. The electric vehicle transmission of claim 8, wherein: The one-sided dustproof bearing has an outer race fixed to at least one of the housing and the housing cover, an inner race rotationally fixed relative to the bracket cover, and balls disposed between the outer race and the inner race.

10. The electric vehicle transmission according to any one of claims 8 and 9, wherein: The outlet of the housing is configured to direct oil directly to the single-sided dust-proof bearing.

11. The electric vehicle transmission according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein: The housing adjacent the outlet and the bracket cover define a main supply passage therebetween.

12. The electric vehicle transmission of claim 11, wherein: The bracket cover defines, a manifold passage in fluid communication with the main supply passage, a first supply passage in fluid communication with the manifold passage, and A second supply passage is in fluid communication with the manifold passage.

13. The electric vehicle transmission of claim 12, wherein: The carrier cover includes a radially inwardly extending lip, wherein the lip partially defines the manifold channel.

14. The electric vehicle transmission of claim 13, wherein: A tortuous path is defined at an interface between the bracket cover and the housing to prevent oil from being thrown from the manifold passage to the housing before flowing through either or both of the first supply passage and the second supply passage.

15. The electric vehicle transmission of claim 14, wherein: The lip at least partially defines the tortuous path.

16. The electric vehicle transmission according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein: The first supply channel and the second supply channel are at the same radial height relative to the axis.

17. An electric vehicle transmission as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein: The first supply passage is further defined as a plurality of first supply passages spaced 120 degrees apart from one another about the axis.

18. The electric vehicle transmission of claim 17, wherein: The second feed passage is further defined as a plurality of second feed passages defined to be radially spaced apart such that two second feed passages are circumferentially defined between adjacent pairs of first feed passages.

19. An electric vehicle transmission as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 18, wherein: The first supply passage is defined as tapering radially outwardly relative to the axis.

20. An electric vehicle transmission as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 19, wherein: The second supply passage is defined as tapering radially outwardly relative to the axis.

21. An electric vehicle transmission as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 20, wherein: The planetary gear set further includes a plurality of pinion gears coupled to the carrier, each of the plurality of pinion gears being supported by a needle bearing, and wherein the first supply passage is defined to direct oil from the manifold passage to the needle bearings and the pinion gears.

22. The electric vehicle transmission of any one of claims 12 to 21, further comprising a differential disposed in the housing interior of the housing, wherein: The second feed passage is defined to direct oil from the manifold passage to the differential.

23. The electric vehicle transmission of claim 22, further comprising a plurality of ball bearings supporting rotation of the plurality of pinions, wherein The bracket defines a plurality of openings, and wherein the second supply passage is configured to direct oil through the plurality of openings to the plurality of ball bearings.

24. The electric vehicle transmission of claim 23, wherein: The carrier has an interior surface shaped to receive each pinion gear, wherein the interior surface has a plurality of portions radially furthest from the axis on either side of each pinion gear, and wherein the opening is defined in the radially furthest portions.

25. The electric vehicle transmission of claim 24, wherein: Adjacent pairs of openings are fluidly connected by bridge passages defined between the adjacent pairs of openings by the brackets.

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