US 2016/0096522 A1 · POWERSPLIT HYBRID POWERTRAIN WITH OVERDRIVE CLUTCH

Abstract

A hybrid vehicle powertrain includes an internal combustion engine, first and second electric machines, traction wheels, and an output shaft having meshing gears configured to establish a final drive ratio between the output shaft and the traction wheels. The powertrain additionally includes a first mechanical linkage and a second mechanical linkage. The first mechanical linkage is configured to selectively transmit engine torque to the fraction wheels and selectively transmit electric machine torque to the traction wheels. The second mechanical linkage is configured to selectively transmit engine torque to the traction wheels. When transmitting engine torque to the wheels, the second mechanical linkage defines a fixed overdrive speed relationship between the engine and the fraction wheels.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A hybrid vehicle comprising:

an internal combustion engine;
a first electric machine;
traction wheels;
an output shaft drivingly coupled to the traction wheels by a gearing arrangement configured to establish a final drive ratio between the output shaft and the traction wheels;
a second electric machine drivingly coupled to the output shaft;
a first gearing arrangement configured to selectively transmit torque from the engine and first electric machine to the output shaft;
a second gearing arrangement configured to selectively transmit torque from the engine to the output shaft in an overdrive speed and torque relationship, the second gearing arrangement including a clutch;
and
a controller configured to engage the clutch in response to a first operating condition and disengage the clutch in response to the clutch being engaged and a third operating condition.

6 more elements

A method of controlling a hybrid vehicle having a powersplit powertrain and an overdrive mechanical linkage selectively engageable to transmit engine torque to wheels in a fixed speed relationship, the method comprising:

operating the powersplit powertrain in a continuously variable mode;
and
in response to a first operating condition, engaging the overdrive mechanical linkage to establish the fixed relationship.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Powersplit hybrid powertrain with overdrive clutch

Life of this patent

Powersplit hybrid powertrain with overdrive clutch

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20