Hybrid electric axle and operating method
AssigneeDana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
InventorsEric M. Engerman, Trent Windom
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for a hybrid electric axle. The hybrid electric axle system, in one example, includes an engine interface assembly with a one-way clutch that is rotationally coupled to an input shaft and a gear shaft in a gear set that is rotationally coupled to a differential and a dog clutch configured to selectively rotationally couple the input shaft and the gear shaft in the gear set. The hybrid electric axle system further includes an electric drive assembly including a traction motor that is rotationally coupled to a gear train. In the electric axle system, the gear train is rotationally coupled to the differential and the engine interface assembly and the electric drive assembly are packaged in an axle housing.
Claims18
A hybrid electric axle system, comprising:
- an engine interface assembly comprising:
- a one-way clutch rotationally coupled to an input shaft and a gear set that is rotationally coupled to a differential;
- and
- a dog clutch configured to selectively rotationally couple the input shaft and a gear shaft in the gear set;
- wherein the input shaft includes a mechanical interface that is configured to receive mechanical power from an internal combustion engine;
- and
- an electric drive assembly including a traction motor that is rotationally coupled to a gear train;
- wherein the gear train is rotationally coupled to the differential;
- wherein the engine interface assembly and the electric drive assembly are packaged in an axle housing;
- and
- wherein a rotational axis of the engine interface assembly is arranged perpendicular to a rotational axis of the traction motor.
A method for operation of a hybrid electric axle system, comprising:
- selectively rotationally coupling an input shaft and a gear shaft in a gear set via a dog clutch, in response to engagement of a one-way clutch in an engine interface assembly;
- wherein the hybrid electric axle system comprises:
- the engine interface assembly comprises:
- the one-way clutch rotationally coupled to the input shaft and the gear shaft in the gear set that is rotationally coupled to a differential;
- and
- the dog clutch configured to selectively rotationally couple the input shaft and the gear shaft in the gear set;
- wherein the input shaft includes a mechanical interface that is configured to receive mechanical power from an internal combustion engine;
- and
- an electric drive assembly including a traction motor that is rotationally coupled to a gear train;
- wherein the gear train is rotationally coupled to the differential;
- wherein the engine interface assembly and the electric drive assembly are packaged in an axle housing;
- and
- wherein the gear train includes a first simple planetary gear set that is rotationally coupled to the traction motor and a second simple planetary gear set that is rotationally coupled to the differential.
A hybrid electric axle system, comprising:
- an engine interface assembly comprising:
- a sprag clutch rotationally coupled to an input shaft and a gear shaft in gear set that is rotationally coupled to a differential;
- and
- a dog clutch configured to selectively rotationally couple the input shaft and the gear shaft in the gear set;
- wherein the input shaft includes a mechanical interface that is configured to receive mechanical power from an internal combustion engine;
- and
- an electric drive assembly including a traction motor that is rotationally coupled to a gear train;
- wherein the gear train is rotationally coupled to the differential;
- wherein the engine interface assembly and the electric drive assembly are packaged in an axle housing;
- and
- wherein the input shaft is transversely arranged in relation to the traction motor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.