Drivetrain with infinitely and electrically variable transmission capabilities
AssigneeDana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
InventorsJeffrey M. David, Travis J. Miller, Mark A. Davis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for an electric drive train of a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). In one example, the electric drive train may include a four-node planetary gear set with a first motor coupled to a first input node, a second motor coupled to a second input node and an engine coupled to a third input node of the planetary gear set. The third node is positioned between the first and second input nodes. Torque delivered to each input node is summed at an output node of the four-node planetary gear set.
Claims13
A method for a drive train for a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), comprising:
- while a state of charge of a traction battery is below a threshold value, outputting torque at an output node of a four-node planetary of the drive train by operating the drive train at a first mechanical point of two mechanical points when the drive train is in a power split mode;
- and
- while the state of charge of the traction battery is above the threshold value, outputting torque at the output node by operating the drive train in an EV mode by operating a first electric machine and a second electric machine to achieve a target torque output while an engine is off;
- wherein operation at the first mechanical point is enabled when the first electric machine of the drive train is commanded to operate at zero speed and the second electric machine of the drive train supplements torque provided by the engine of the HEV;
- wherein the engine is coupled to a carrier or a ring gear without a clutch, and without a brake;
- and
- wherein the ring gear is coupled to the carrier, and a first sun gear is coupled to the ring gear and a second sun gear is coupled to the carrier.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.