US 10,967,728 B2 · Multi-mode electromechanical variable transmission

Abstract

A vehicle includes a connecting shaft, a drive axle, a multi-mode transmission, and a controller. The multi-mode transmission includes a first gear set having a first planetary gear carrier and a second gear set having a second planetary gear carrier, a first motor/generator coupled to the first gear set, a second motor/generator electrically coupled to the first motor/generator and coupled to the second gear set, a brake selectively limiting movement of a portion of the second gear set, and a clutch selectively rotationally coupling the second motor/generator to the connecting shaft. The first gear set is coupled to the connecting shaft, and the planetary gear carriers are rotatably coupled. The controller is configured to selectively configure the multi-mode transmission into an active neutral startup mode of operation by engaging the clutch and the brake such that at least one of the first motor/generator and the second motor/generator produces a voltage.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A vehicle, comprising:

a drive axle;
a connecting shaft;
a multi-mode transmission selectively coupled to the connecting shaft and the drive axle, the multi-mode transmission including:
a first gear set having a first planetary gear carrier and a second gear set having a second planetary gear carrier, wherein the first gear set is coupled to the connecting shaft, and wherein the first planetary gear carrier and the second planetary gear carrier are rotatably coupled;
a first motor/generator coupled to the first gear set;
and
a second motor/generator electrically coupled to the first motor/generator with a bus, coupled to the second gear set, and selectively coupled to the connecting shaft;
a brake positioned to selectively limit movement of a portion of the second gear set when engaged;
a clutch selectively rotationally coupling the second motor/generator to the connecting shaft when engaged;
and
a controller coupled to the multi-mode transmission and configured to selectively configure the multi-mode transmission into an active neutral startup mode of operation by engaging the clutch and the brake such that at least one of the first motor/generator and the second motor/generator produces a voltage that is applied to the bus.

8 more elements

A drive system for a vehicle having a drive axle, the drive system comprising:

a first gear set including a first sun gear, a first ring gear, a first plurality of planetary gears coupling the first sun gear to the first ring gear, and a first carrier rotationally supporting the first plurality of planetary gears;
a second gear set including a second sun gear, a second ring gear, a second plurality of planetary gears coupling the second sun gear to the second ring gear, and a second carrier rotationally supporting the second plurality of planetary gears, wherein the first carrier is directly coupled to the second carrier;
a first electrical machine coupled to the first gear set;
a second electrical machine coupled to the second gear set;
a connecting shaft coupled to the first gear set;
a brake positioned to selectively limit a rotational movement of the second ring gear when engaged;
a clutch selectively rotationally coupling the second electrical machine to the connecting shaft when engaged;
and
a controller configured to engage the clutch and the brake in response to a start request,
wherein the drive system is selectively reconfigurable into an active neutral startup mode of operation whereby at least one of the first electrical machine and the second electrical machine provide a startup power in response to a rotational input from the connecting shaft.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Multi-mode electromechanical variable transmission

Life of this patent

Multi-mode electromechanical variable transmission

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20