Drivetrain for hybrid motor vehicle
AssigneeNew Venture Gear, Inc.
InventorThomas C. Bowen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hybrid transmission includes a multi-speed planetary gearbox, an automated shift system, and an electric motor/generator. The electric motor is operably controlled to drive the gearbox to establish an electric drive mode. The electric mode is further operable to provide a speed synchronization function during sequential gear shifting. The transmission includes plurality of power-operated clutches arranged to selectively engage components of the planetary geartbox to establish the distinct gear ratios. A central system functions to control automated operation of the power-operated clutches as well coordinated actuation of the engine and the electric motor.
Claims32
A transmission for use in a hybrid powertrain of a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a driveline, comprising:
- an input shaft selectively driven by the engine;
- an output shaft interconnected to the driveline;
- a planetary gear transmission operably interconnecting said input shaft and said output shaft and including first, second and third gearsets, said first gearset having an input driven by said input shaft and an output, said second gearset having an input driven by said output of said first gearset and an output, and said third gearset having an input driven by said output of said second gearset and an output driving said output shaft;
- a first transfer shaft operably connected to said first gearset;
- a transfer drum operably connected to said second gearset;
- a second transfer shaft operably connected to said third gearset;
- power-operated clutches for selectively engaging said planetary gear transmission to establish a plurality of gear ratio drive connections between said input shaft and said output shaft;
- and
- an electric motor/generator operable to selective drive one of said first transfer shaft and said transfer drum.
A hybrid powertrain for a motor vehicle having first and second drivelines, comprising:
- an internal combustion engine having an engine output shaft;
- and
- a transmission having an input shaft selectively driven by said engine output shaft, an output shaft connected to the first driveline, a planetary gear assembly operably interconnecting said input shaft and said output shaft and including first, second and third gearsets, said first gearset having an input driven by said input shaft and an output, said second gearset having an input driven by said output of said first gearset and an output, and said third gearset having an input driven by said output of said second gearset and an output driving said output shaft, a first transfer shaft operably connected to said first gearset, a transfer drum operably connected to said second gearset, a second transfer shaft operably connected to said third gearset, power-operated clutches for selectively engaging said planetary gear transmission to establish a plurality of gear ratio drive connections between said input shaft and said output shaft, and an electric motor/generator operable to selective drive one of said first transfer shaft and said transfer drum.
The hybrid powertrain of claim 19 wherein a first gear ratio is established when said third, sixth and seventh clutches are engaged.
A drivetrain for a vehicle having an engine with a drive output, comprising:
- an input shaft operably interconnected to and driven by the drive output;
- an output shaft operably interconnected to and selectively driven by said input shaft;
- a planetary gear transmission operably interconnected with said input shaft and said output shaft for establishing said operable interconnection therebetween, said planetary gear transmission comprising a first planetary gear set operably attached to said input shaft and a second planetary gearset, said second planetary gearset operably attached to a third planetary gearset, said third planetary gearset driving said output shaft;
- a first transfer shaft operably interconnected to said first planetary gearset;
- a transfer drum selectively driving said second and third planetary gearsets and enclosing said first, second and third planetary gearsets;
- a second transfer shaft interconnected to said third planetary gearset and selectively engaged to said output shaft;
- and
- an electric motor selectively engaged with one of said first transfer shaft and said transfer drum wherein said first second and third planetary gearsets, said first transfer shaft, said transfer drum and said second transfer shaft are selectively manipulated for establishing one of a plurality of drive ratios.
A vehicle, comprising:
- an engine having a drive output;
- a drivetrain including an input shaft operably interconnected to and driven by said engine drive output;
- an output shaft operably interconnected to and selectively driven by said input shaft;
- a planetary gear transmission operably interconnected with said input shaft and said output shaft for establishing said interconnections therebetween, said planetary gear transmission comprising a first planetary gearset operably coupled to said input shaft and a second planetary gearset, said second planetary gearset operably coupled to a third planetary gearset, said third planetary gearset driving said output shaft;
- a first transfer shaft operably connected to said first planetary gearset;
- a transfer drum selectively driving said second and third planetary gearsets;
- a second transfer shaft operably connected to said third planetary gearset and selectively engagable with said output shaft, wherein said first second and third planetary gearsets, said first transfer shaft, said transfer drum and said second transfer shaft are selectively manipulated for establishing one of a plurality of drive ratios;
- and
- a pair of wheels interconnected with said output shaft and rotatably driven by said output shaft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.