# US 10,308,104 B2 · HyBrid transaxle

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- Number: US 10,308,104 B2
- Document ID: US10308104B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/405,637
- Filed: 2017-01-13
- Published: 2018-07-19
- Granted: 2019-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2017-01-13
- Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
- Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
- Inventors: David Gon Oh; David Allen Janson
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10308104B2

## CPC

- B60K 6/365: with the gears having orbital motion
- B60K 6/24: characterised by the combustion engines
- B60K 6/26: characterised by the motors or the generators
- B60K 6/40: characterised by the assembly or relative disposition of components
- B60K 6/445: Differential gearing distribution type
- B60K 6/48: Parallel type
- F16H 3/724: {using externally powered electric machines}
- F16H 37/0806: {with a plurality of driving or driven shafts}
- B60Y 2200/92: Hybrid vehicles
- B60Y 2400/73: Planetary gearings
- B60Y 2400/80: Differentials
- F16H 48/08: comprising bevel gears
- Y02T 10/62: Hybrid vehicles
- Y10S 903/91: Orbital, e.g. planetary gears
- B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- F16H: GEARING
- B60Y: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY
- Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

## Abstract

A hybrid transaxle permits location of a traction motor in a more favorable location, decreasing the risk of occupant injury in a vehicle collision. Axis transfer gearing moves the generator off the engine axis. This permits placing the traction motor further forward without interference with the generator.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A hybrid transaxle comprising:
first and second electric machines arranged on first and second axes respectively;
a countershaft supported for rotation about a third axis and driveably connected to the first electric machine; and
a planetary gear set arranged on a fourth axis and having a sun gear driveably connected to the second electric machine, a carrier fixedly coupled to an input shaft, and a ring gear driveably connected to the countershaft; and wherein:
the third axis is vertically above and horizontally aft of the fourth axis;
the first axis is vertically above and horizontally forward of the third axis; and
the second axis is horizontally forward of the fourth axis.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The hybrid transaxle of claim 1 further comprising:
a differential having an input arranged on a fifth axis;
a first gear fixedly coupled to the differential input; and
a second gear fixedly coupled to the countershaft and meshing with the first gear; and wherein:
the fifth axis is vertically below and horizontally aft of the third and fourth axes.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The hybrid transaxle of claim 2 wherein the differential further comprises:
a carrier as the input;
left and right beveled side gears adapted for fixation to left and right half-shafts respectively; and
a plurality of beveled planet gears supported for rotation with respect to the carrier and meshing with both the left and right side gears.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The hybrid transaxle of claim 1 wherein the countershaft is driveably connected to the first electric machine by a third gear fixedly coupled to the countershaft and a fourth gear fixedly coupled to a rotor of the first electric machine and meshing with the third gear.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The hybrid transaxle of claim 1 wherein the sun gear is driveably connected to the second electric machine by a fifth gear fixedly coupled to the sun gear and a sixth gear fixedly coupled to a rotor of the second electric machine and meshing with the fifth gear.

### Claim 6

A hybrid transaxle comprising:
a first electric machine having a rotor fixedly coupled to a first gear;
a second electric machine;
a planetary gear set having a sun gear fixedly coupled to a second gear meshing with the first gear, a carrier fixedly coupled to an input shaft, and a ring gear;
a third gear fixedly coupled to the ring gear;
a fourth gear fixedly coupled to a countershaft and meshing with the third gear;
a fifth gear fixedly coupled to the countershaft;
a sixth gear fixedly coupled to a differential carrier;
a seventh gear fixedly coupled to a rotor of the second electric machine; and
an eighth gear fixedly coupled to the countershaft and meshing with the seventh gear.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The hybrid transaxle of claim 6 wherein:
the countershaft is vertically above and horizontally aft of the input shaft;
an axis of rotation of the second electric machine is vertically above and horizontally forward of the countershaft;
an axis of rotation of the first electric machine is horizontally forward of the input shaft; and
the differential carrier is vertically below and horizontally aft of the countershaft and the input shaft.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The hybrid transaxle of claim 6 further comprising:
left and right beveled side gears adapted for fixation to left and right half-shafts respectively; and
a plurality of beveled planet gears supported for rotation with respect to the differential carrier and meshing with both the left and right side gears.

### Claim 9

A hybrid transaxle comprising:
a first electric machine fixedly coupled to a first gear;
a second electric machine fixedly coupled to a second gear;
a countershaft fixedly coupled to a third gear, a fourth gear, and a fifth gear meshing with the first gear;
a planetary gear set having a sun gear fixedly coupled to a sixth gear meshing with the second gear, a carrier fixedly coupled to an input shaft, and a ring gear fixedly coupled to a seventh gear meshing with the fourth gear; and
a differential having an input fixedly coupled to an eighth gear meshing with the third gear.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The hybrid transaxle of claim 9 wherein the differential further comprises:
a carrier as the input;
left and right beveled side gears adapted for fixation to left and right half-shafts respectively; and
a plurality of beveled planet gears supported for rotation with respect to the carrier and meshing with both the left and right side gears.