US Patent 9234565 Two-speed transmission and electric vehicle

A two-speed transmission is provided. The transmission comprises a planetary gear train (8) having a sun gear, a fixed annular gear (8b), at least one planet gear (8c) and a planet carrier (8d). A dual clutch (10) is disposed between the planetary gear train and a prime mover which outputs rotational movement. The dual clutch is configured to be driven into a first clutching mode in which it kinematically couples the sun gear with the prime mover, and a second clutching mode in which it kinematically couples the planet carrier with the prime mover. And an actuator is configured to selectively drive the dual clutch into one of its first and second clutching modes. An electric vehicle comprises the two-speed transmission.