Infinitely variable transmission
OwnerDennis Ray Halwesinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An exemplary infinitely variable transmission includes a planetary gear set situated in a drive train of an automotive vehicle and interfaced with a worm gear driven by an electrical motor continuously controlled by an electronic control unit in response to a torque demand. Another aspect may be selection of the worm gear helix angle to effect a balance between worm gear teeth friction and load placed on the worm gear by the planetary gear set, such that power required to drive the worm gear is minimized for all input load conditions.
Claims30
An infinitely variable transmission for use with an automotive vehicle, the infinitely variable transmission comprising:
- a planetary gear set having a first input component, a second input component, and an output component, wherein the first input component comprises a drive shaft input component,
- wherein the planetary gear set is positioned relative to a drivetrain of the automotive vehicle such that a drive shaft driven by an internal combustion engine of the automotive vehicle is connected to the drive shaft input component, and the output component is connected to an output shaft configured to drive a motivational mechanism of the automotive vehicle;
- an electrical motor configured to drive the second input component through a gear set interface;
- and
- an electronic control unit configured to control at least the electrical motor in response to a torque demand and in a manner to satisfy the torque demand by either:
- (a) operating the internal combustion engine at a set point associated with a particular efficiency, while modifying an angular velocity of the electrical motor to satisfy the torque demand;
- or
- (b) operating the internal combustion engine in a manner that deviates from the particular efficiency such that the torque demand is satisfied.
A method of operation for use with an infinitely variable transmission of an automotive vehicle, the method comprising:
- receiving, by an electronic control unit of the automotive vehicle, a torque demand generated, at least in part, by an operator of the automotive vehicle;
- controlling, by the electronic control unit, an electrical motor in response to the torque demand in a manner to satisfy the torque demand by either:
- (a) operating, by the electronic control unit, an internal combustion engine of the automotive vehicle at a set point associated with a particular efficiency, while modifying, by the electronic control unit, an angular velocity of the electrical motor to satisfy the torque demand, or
- (b) operating, by the electronic control unit, the internal combustion engine in a manner that deviates from the particular efficiency such that the torque demand is satisfied;
- wherein the electrical motor is configured to drive a gear interfaced with an input component of a planetary gear set, the planetary gear set being positioned relative to a drivetrain of the automotive vehicle such that a drive shaft driven by the internal combustion engine is connected to a drive shaft input component of the planetary gear set, and an output component of the planetary gear set is connected to an output shaft for driving a motivational mechanism of the automotive vehicle.
An infinitely variable transmission for use with an automotive vehicle, the infinitely variable transmission comprising:
- a planetary gear set having a first input component, a second input component, and an output component, the planetary gear set operable to be coupled to a drivetrain of the automotive vehicle such that the first input component is coupled to a drive shaft driven by an engine of the automotive vehicle, and the output component is connected to an output shaft configured to drive a motivational mechanism of the automotive vehicle;
- an electrical motor connected to drive the second input component through a gear set interface;
- and
- an electronic control unit operable to control the electrical motor in response to a torque demand generated at least in part by the automotive vehicle and in a manner to satisfy the torque demand by either:
- (a) operating the engine at a set point associated with a particular efficiency, while modifying an angular velocity of the electrical motor to satisfy the torque demand;
- or
- (b) operating the engine in a manner that deviates from the particular efficiency such that the torque demand is satisfied.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.