US 2008/0176697 A1Published application

Multi-mode electrically variable transmissions with three fixed interconnections and two input clutches

AssigneeGM Global Technology, Inc.

InventorsMadhusudan Raghavan, Brendan M. Condon

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

The electrically variable transmission family of the present invention provides low-content, low-cost electrically variable transmission mechanisms including three differential gear sets, a battery, three interconnecting members, two electric machines serving interchangeably as motors or generators and five or six selectable torque-transfer devices. The selectable torque transmitting devices are engaged to yield an EVT with a continuously variable range of speeds and five fixed speed ratios, including four mechanically fixed forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The torque transmitting devices and the first and second motor/generators are operable to provide five operating modes in the electrically variable transmission, including battery reverse mode, EVT reverse mode, reverse and forward launch modes, continuously variable transmission range mode, and fixed ratio mode.

Claims15

Dependent claims

An electrically variable transmission comprising:

an input member to receive power from an engine;
an output member;
first and second motor/generators;
first, second and third differential gear sets each having first, second and third members;
said input member being selectively connected with at least one member of said gear sets, and said output member being continuously connected with another member of said gear sets;
a first interconnecting member continuously connecting said first member of said first gear set with said first member of said second gear set;
a second interconnecting member continuously connecting said second member of said first gear set with said first member of said third gear set;
a third interconnecting member continuously connecting said second member of said second gear set with said second member of said third gear set;
said first motor/generator being continuously connected with a member of said first gear set;
said second motor/generator being continuously connected with a member of the second gear set;
a first torque transmitting device selectively connecting a member of said third gear set with a stationary member;
a second torque transmitting device selectively connecting a member of said first or third gear set with said stationary member;
a third torque transmitting device selectively connecting a member of said second gear set with said input member;
a fourth torque transmitting device selectively connecting a member of said first or third gear set with a member of said second gear set;
a fifth torque transmitting device selectively connecting a member of said second gear set with said input member;
and
wherein said first, second, third, fourth and fifth torque transmitting devices are engagable to provide an electrically variable transmission with a continuously variable range of speed ratios, four fixed forward speed ratios and one fixed reverse speed ratio.

14 more elements

An electrically variable transmission comprising:

an input member to receive power from an engine;
an output member;
first and second motor/generators;
first, second and third differential gear sets each having first, second and third members;
said input member being selectively connected with at least one member of said gear sets, and said output member being continuously connected with another member of said gear sets;
a first interconnecting member continuously connecting said first member of said first gear set with said first member of said second gear set;
a second interconnecting member continuously connecting said second member of said first gear set with said first member of said third gear set;
a third interconnecting member continuously connecting said second member of said second gear set with said second member of said third gear set;
said first motor/generator being continuously connected with a member of said first gear set;
said second motor/generator being continuously connected with a member of said second gear set;
and
first, second, third, fourth and fifth torque transmitting devices for selectively connecting said members of said first, second or third gear sets with a stationary member, with said input member or with other members of said gear sets, said first, second, third, fourth and fifth torque transmitting devices being engagable to provide an electrically variable transmission with a continuously variable range of speed ratios, four fixed forward speed ratios and one fixed reverse speed ratio between said input member and said output member.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 11/626,038Filed 23 Jan 2007
Published: 24 Jul 2008
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

F16H 3/728
With at least two dynamo electric machines for creating an electric power path inside the gearing, e.g. using generator and motor for a variable…:…
F16H 2037/088
At least one power path being a continuously variable transmission, i.e. CVT: power-split transmissions with summing differentials, with the input…
F16H 2037/102
At both ends of intermediate shafts: the input or output shaft of the transmission is connected or connectable to two or more differentials
F16H 2037/104
At both ends of intermediate shafts: power-split transmissions with at least one end of a CVT connected or connectable to two or more differentials