# US 11,994,196 B2 · Drive unit > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,994,196 B2 - Document ID: US11994196B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/959,532 - Filed: 2022-10-04 - Published: 2023-05-04 - Granted: 2024-05-28 - Earliest claimed: 2021-11-04 - Assignees: Exedy Corporation - Applicants: EXEDY Corporation - Inventors: Yoshihiro Matsuoka - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11994196B2 ## CPC - F16H 47/06: the fluid gearing being of the hydrokinetic type - F16H 63/502: {for smoothing gear shifts} - F16H 61/26: Generation or transmission of movements for final actuating mechanisms - B60K 2001/001: {one motor mounted on a propulsion axle for rotating right and left wheels of this axle} - B60Y 2200/12: Motorcycles, Trikes; Quads; Scooters - B60Y 2200/91: Electric vehicles - B60Y 2400/40: Actuators for moving a controlled member - B60Y 2400/404: Electro-magnetic actuators, e.g. with an electromagnet not rotating for moving a clutching member - B60Y 2400/421: Dog type clutches or brakes - B60Y 2400/426: Hydrodynamic couplings, e.g. torque converters - F16H 3/089: all of the meshing gears being supported by a pair of parallel shafts, one being the input shaft and the other the output shaft, there being no countershaft involved - F16H 2003/0811: {using unsynchronised clutches} - F16H 2200/0021: specially adapted for electric vehicles - F16H 2200/0034: the gear ratios comprising two forward speeds - F16H 2200/0039: the gear ratios comprising three forward speeds - F16H 2200/0086: the gear ratios comprising two reverse speeds - F16H 2200/0091: the gear ratios comprising three reverse speeds - F16H: GEARING - 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 - B60Y: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY ## Abstract A drive unit includes an electric motor, first and second torque transmission paths, a torque converter, first and second gear trains, and a first switch mechanism. The first and second torque transmission paths are provided parallel to each other. The torque converter is disposed in the first torque transmission path. The torque converter amplifies a torque outputted from the motor when the torque is directed in a first rotational direction. The first gear train is disposed in the first torque transmission path. The first gear train is disposed downstream with respect to the torque converter. The second gear train is disposed in the second torque transmission path. The first switch mechanism switches between the first torque transmission path and the second torque transmission path as a path for transmitting the torque outputted from the motor. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A drive unit, comprising: an electric motor; a first torque transmission path configured to transmit a torque outputted from the electric motor to an output unit, the first torque transmission path having a torque converter disposed therein that is configured to amplify the torque outputted from the electric motor when the torque is directed in a first rotational direction; a second torque transmission path provided parallel to the first torque transmission path and having no torque converter disposed therein, the second torque transmission path configured to transmit the torque outputted from the electric motor to the output unit; a first gear train disposed in the first torque transmission path, the first gear train disposed downstream with respect to the torque converter; a second gear train disposed in the second torque transmission path; a first switch mechanism configured to switch between one of the first torque transmission path and the second torque transmission path as a path for transmitting the torque outputted from the electric motor; and a controller configured to control the electric motor and to command the operational setting of the first switch mechanism, wherein the controller is further configured to execute a first forward moving mode, the controller further configured to control and cause the electric motor to be rotated in the first rotational direction when executing the first forward moving mode, the controller further configured to control the first switch mechanism such that transmission of the torque outputted from the electric motor is made through the first torque transmission path when executing the first forward moving mode; and the controller is further configured to execute a second forward moving mode, the controller further configured to control and cause the electric motor to be rotated in the first rotational direction when executing the second forward moving mode, the controller further configured to control the first switch mechanism such that transmission of the torque outputted from the electric motor is made through the second torque transmission path when executing the second forward moving mode. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the second gear train is higher in reduction ratio than the first gear train. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the first gear train is higher in reduction ratio than the second gear train. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The drive unit according to claim 1, further comprising: a third gear train disposed in the first torque transmission path, the third gear train configured to receive the torque transmitted thereto from the torque converter; and a second switch mechanism configured to switch between the first gear train and the third gear train as the path for transmitting the torque after the torque is outputted from the torque converter, wherein the controller is further configured to control the second switch mechanism, the second switch mechanism is settable to a neutral position in which neither the first gear train nor the third gear train is engaged so as to block transmission of the torque outputted from the torque converter via either the first gear train or the third gear train, and the controller is further configured to control and cause the second switch mechanism to be set to the neutral position when executing the second forward moving mode. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The drive unit according to claim 1, further comprising: a clutch, wherein the torque converter includes an input part and an output part, the input part configured to receive the torque inputted thereto after the torque is outputted from the electric motor, the output part configured to receive the torque transmitted thereto from the input part through a fluid, and the clutch is configured and disposed to allow and block transmission of the torque between the input part and the output part. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The drive unit according to claim 1, further comprising: a clutch disposed downstream with respect to the torque converter in the first torque transmission path, the clutch configured and disposed to allow and block transmission of the torque along the first torque transmission path. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The drive unit according to claim 6, wherein the clutch is a one-way clutch configured to allow transmission of the torque outputted from the torque converter to a downstream side and to block transmission of torque from the downstream side to the torque converter. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The drive unit according to claim 1, further comprising: an upstream gear train disposed upstream with respect to the torque converter in the first torque transmission path. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The drive unit according to claim 1, further comprising: a third, bypass torque transmission path branching off from the first torque transmission path at a position upstream of the torque converter and merging to the first torque transmission path at a position downstream of the torque converter so as to form a torque-conversion bypass within the first torque transmission path; and a bypass-controlling switch mechanism configured to switch between the first torque transmission path and the third, bypass torque transmission path as the path for transmitting the torque. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the first switch mechanism includes a first torque output part configured to output the torque outputted from the electric motor, a first torque input part disposed in the first torque transmission path, the first torque input part configured to receive the torque inputted thereto after the torque is outputted from the first torque output part, a second torque input part disposed in the second torque transmission path, the second torque input part configured to receive the torque inputted thereto after the torque is outputted from the first torque output part, and a coupling part settable to a first coupling state and a second coupling state, the coupling part coupling the first torque output part and the first torque input part therethrough when set to the first coupling state, the coupling part coupling the first torque output part and the second torque input part therethrough when set to the second coupling state. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The drive unit according to claim 10, wherein the first torque output part, the first torque input part, and the second torque input part are disposed along a rotational axis of the electric motor so as to be aligned from a side closer to the electric motor in an order of the first torque output part, the first torque input part, and the second torque input part. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The drive unit according to claim 10, wherein the first torque output part, the first torque input part, and the second torque input part are disposed along a rotational axis of the electric motor so as to be aligned from a side closer to the electric motor in an order of the second torque input part, the first torque output part, and the first torque input part. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The drive unit according to claim 10, wherein the first torque output part, the first torque input part, and the second torque input part are disposed along a rotational axis of the electric motor so as to be aligned from a side closer to the electric motor in an order of the first torque output part, the second torque input part, and the first torque input part. ### Claim 14 A drive unit, comprising: an electric motor; a first torque transmission path configured to transmit a torque outputted from the electric motor to an output unit, the first torque transmission path having a torque converter disposed therein that is configured to amplify the torque outputted from the electric motor when the torque is directed in a first rotational direction; a second torque transmission path provided parallel to the first torque transmission path and having no torque converter disposed therein, the second torque transmission path configured to transmit the torque outputted from the electric motor to the output unit; a first gear train disposed in the first torque transmission path, the first gear train disposed downstream with respect to the torque converter; a second gear train disposed in the second torque transmission path; a first switch mechanism configured to switch between one of the first torque transmission path and the second torque transmission path as a path for transmitting the torque outputted from the electric motor; and a controller configured to control the electric motor and to command the operational setting of the first switch mechanism, wherein the controller is further configured to execute a first reverse moving mode, the controller further configured to control and cause the electric motor to be rotated in a second rotational direction when executing the first reverse moving mode, the controller further configured to control the first switch mechanism such that transmission of the torque outputted from the electric motor is made through the second torque transmission path when executing the first reverse moving mode. ### Claim 15 A drive unit, comprising: an electric motor; a first torque transmission path configured to transmit a torque outputted from the electric motor to an output unit, the first torque transmission path having a torque converter disposed therein that is configured to amplify the torque outputted from the electric motor when the torque is directed in a first rotational direction; a second torque transmission path provided parallel to the first torque transmission path and having no torque converter disposed therein, the second torque transmission path configured to transmit the torque outputted from the electric motor to the output unit; a first gear train disposed in the first torque transmission path, the first gear train disposed downstream with respect to the torque converter; a second gear train disposed in the second torque transmission path; a third gear train disposed in the first torque transmission path, the third gear train configured to receive the torque transmitted thereto from the torque converter; a first switch mechanism configured to switch between one of the first torque transmission path and the second torque transmission path as a path for transmitting the torque outputted from the electric motor; a second switch mechanism configured to switch between the first gear train and the third gear train as the path for transmitting the torque after the torque is outputted from the torque converter; and a controller configured to control the electric motor and to command the operational setting of the first switch mechanism, wherein the controller is further configured to control the second switch mechanism. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The drive unit according to claim 15, wherein the third gear train is further configured to output the torque in a reverse rotational direction to when the torque is outputted from the first gear train. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The drive unit according to claim 15, wherein the second switch mechanism is settable to a neutral position in which neither the first gear train nor the third gear train is engaged so as to block transmission of the torque outputted from the torque converter via either the first gear train or the third gear train. ### Claim 18 A drive unit, comprising: an electric motor; a first torque transmission path configured to transmit a torque outputted from the electric motor to an output unit, the first torque transmission path having a torque converter disposed therein that is configured to amplify the torque outputted from the electric motor when the torque is directed in a first rotational direction; a second torque transmission path provided parallel to the first torque transmission path and having no torque converter disposed therein, the second torque transmission path configured to transmit the torque outputted from the electric motor to the output unit; a first gear train disposed in the first torque transmission path, the first gear train disposed downstream with respect to the torque converter; a second gear train disposed in the second torque transmission path; a first switch mechanism configured to switch between one of the first torque transmission path and the second torque transmission path as a path for transmitting the torque outputted from the electric motor; and a clutch, wherein the torque converter includes an input part and an output part, the input part configured to receive the torque inputted thereto after the torque is outputted from the electric motor, the output part configured to receive the torque transmitted thereto from the input part through a fluid, the clutch is configured and disposed to allow and block transmission of the torque between the input part and the output part, and the clutch is a one-way clutch configured to allow transmission of the torque outputted from the electric motor when the torque is directed in a second rotational direction and block transmission of the torque outputted from the electric motor when the torque is directed in the first rotational direction. ### Claim 19 A drive unit, comprising: an electric motor; a first torque transmission path configured to transmit a torque outputted from the electric motor to an output unit, the first torque transmission path having a torque converter disposed therein that is configured to amplify the torque outputted from the electric motor when the torque is directed in a first rotational direction; a second torque transmission path provided parallel to the first torque transmission path and having no torque converter disposed therein, the second torque transmission path configured to transmit the torque outputted from the electric motor to the output unit; a first gear train disposed in the first torque transmission path, the first gear train disposed downstream with respect to the torque converter; a second gear train disposed in the second torque transmission path; and a first switch mechanism configured to switch between one of the first torque transmission path and the second torque transmission path as a path for transmitting the torque outputted from the electric motor; wherein the torque converter includes a centrifugal lock-up clutch.