# US 2017/0282909 A1 · Hybrid powertrain and modular rear drive unit for same

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- Number: US 2017/0282909 A1
- Document ID: US20170282909A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/625,243
- Filed: 2017-06-16
- Published: 2017-10-05
- Earliest claimed: 2013-05-08
- Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
- Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
- Inventors: Shawn H. Swales; Joel M. Maguire; Goro Tamai; Peter J. Savagian
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170282909A1

## CPC

- B60W 20/40: Controlling the engagement or disengagement of prime movers, e.g. for transition between prime movers {(power-up or power-down of the driveline B60W30/192)}
- B60K 6/383: One-way clutches or freewheel devices
- B60K 6/442: Series-parallel switching type
- B60K 6/485: Motor-assist type
- B60K 6/52: Driving a plurality of drive axles, e.g. four-wheel drive
- B60W 10/08: including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
- B60W 10/12: including control of differentials
- B60W 10/14: Central differentials for dividing torque between front and rear axles
- B60W 20/00: Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles {(hybrid vehicle design, B60K6/00; electric vehicles B60L)}
- B60W 20/10: Controlling the power contribution of each of the prime movers to meet required power demand
- B60W 20/30: Control strategies involving selection of transmission gear ratio {(control of change speed gearings, together with other vehicle sub-units B60W10/10; HEV transmission gearing B60K6/36; gearings and control thereof F16H)}
- F16H 48/08: comprising bevel gears
- F16H 57/021: Shaft support structures, e.g. partition walls, bearing eyes, casing walls or covers with bearings
- F16H 57/037: Gearboxes for accommodating differential gearings (rotating cases for differential gearings F16H48/40)
- F16H 57/0415: {Air cooling or ventilation; Heat exchangers; Thermal insulations}
- F16H 57/0441: {Arrangements of pumps}
- F16H 57/0483: {Axle or inter-axle differentials}
- B60K 2001/003: {with means for cooling the electrical propulsion units}
- B60W 2510/06: Combustion engines, Gas turbines
- B60W 2510/244: Charge state
- B60W 2710/021: Clutch engagement state
- B60W 2710/083: Torque
- B60W 2710/1005: Transmission ratio engaged
- B60W 2710/12: Differentials
- Y02T 10/62: Hybrid vehicles
- Y10S 903/902: Prime movers comprising electrical and internal combustion motors
- Y10S 903/93: Conjoint control of different elements
- B60W: CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
- B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- F16H: GEARING
- Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

## Abstract

A modular rear drive unit for a hybrid vehicle comprises a torque distributing unit, an electric motor-generator, and a gearing arrangement operatively connecting the electric motor-generator with the torque distributing unit. The modular rear drive unit also includes an integrated housing and rear cradle supporting and surrounding the torque distributing unit, the electric motor-generator, and the gearing arrangement. The integrated housing and rear cradle operatively mounts to the vehicle body.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A modular rear drive unit for a hybrid vehicle having a vehicle body, the modular rear drive unit comprising:
a torque distributing unit providing differential action;
an electric motor-generator;
a gearing arrangement operatively connecting the electric motor-generator with the torque distributing unit;
an integrated housing and rear cradle supporting and surrounding the torque distributing unit, the electric motor-generator, and the gearing arrangement; and
wherein the integrated housing and rear cradle operatively mounts to the vehicle body.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The modular rear drive unit of claim 1, wherein the integrated housing and rear cradle includes a first portion and a second portion;
wherein the first portion supports the torque distributing unit; and
wherein the second portion is secured to the first portion and supports the electric motor-generator.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The modular rear drive unit of claim 2, wherein the integrated housing and rear cradle includes body mount locators at which the integrated housing and rear cradle directly mounts to the vehicle body.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The modular rear drive unit of claim 3, wherein some of the body mount locators are at the first portion, and some of the body mount locators are at the second portion.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The modular rear drive unit of claim 2, wherein the first portion has a first internal cavity; and
wherein the second portion has a second internal cavity aligned with the first portion.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The modular rear drive unit of claim 5, further comprising:
a cross shaft connected to the electric motor/generator; and
wherein the gearing arrangement and the cross shaft are in the first internal cavity.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The modular rear drive unit of claim 6, wherein the electric motor/generator is in the second internal cavity.

### Claim 8 (depends on 2)

The modular rear drive unit of claim 2, wherein the first portion includes a central portion, a side member, and a front cross member connecting the central portion to the side member.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The modular rear drive unit of claim 8, wherein the first portion includes a supplemental cross member adjacent to the second portion.

### Claim 10 (depends on 2)

The modular rear drive unit of claim 2, wherein the second portion includes a central portion, a side member, and a rear cross member connecting the central portion to the side member.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The modular rear drive unit of claim 10, wherein the second portion includes a supplemental cross member connecting the central portion to the side member.

### Claim 12 (depends on 2)

The modular rear drive unit of claim 2, wherein passages extend from a rear face of the second portion into the first portion.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The modular rear drive unit of claim 12, wherein the passages are threaded and are configured to receive fasteners.

### Claim 14 (depends on 2)

The modular rear drive unit of claim 2, wherein the housing further comprises a third portion secured to the first portion and at least partially enclosing the electric motor/generator.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The modular rear drive unit of claim 14, wherein the vehicle includes an engine, a transmission driven by the engine, a driveshaft operatively connected with the transmission, and rear half shafts operatively connected to the torque distributing unit;
wherein the torque distributing unit is a rear differential includes a rotatable differential carrier; wherein the motor-generator is positioned at least partially rearward of the rear half shafts and has a motor shaft, and the modular rear drive unit further comprising:
a pinion shaft operatively connectable to the driveshaft;
a bevel gear set having a first bevel gear fixed to the pinion shaft, and a second bevel gear fixed to the differential carrier and meshing with the first bevel gear;
a cross shaft fixed to and extending forward from the motor shaft generally parallel with the driveshaft;
a reduction gear set having a first transfer gear fixed to the cross shaft, and a second transfer gear fixed to the pinion shaft and meshing with the first transfer gear;
and wherein the reduction gear set is configured to multiply torque from the cross shaft to the pinion shaft.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The modular rear drive unit of claim 1, further comprising:
suspension mount features attached to the integrated housing and rear cradle.

### Claim 17

A powertrain for a vehicle having a vehicle body, front wheels and rear wheels, the powertrain comprising:
an engine with a crankshaft;
a first motor-generator drivingly connected to the crankshaft via an endless rotatable device;
a transmission having a transmission input member driven by the crankshaft and a transmission output member;
a driveshaft operatively connected with the transmission output member;
a modular rear drive unit comprising:
a torque distributing unit operatively connectable with the driveshaft and configured to transfer torque from the driveshaft to rear half shafts that are connectable to the rear wheels;
a second motor-generator drivingly connected to the torque distributing unit and positioned at least partially rearward of the rear half shafts;
a gearing arrangement operatively connecting the electric motor-generator with the torque distributing unit;
an integrated housing and rear cradle supporting and surrounding the torque distributing unit, the second motor-generator, and the gearing arrangement; and
wherein the integrated housing and rear cradle directly mounts to the vehicle body.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The powertrain of claim 17, further comprising:
a controller operatively connected to the second motor-generator and operable to control the second motor-generator to function as a motor providing driving torque to the rear half shafts through the torque distributing unit.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

The powertrain of claim 17, wherein the torque distributing unit is a rear differential that includes a rotatable differential carrier; wherein the second motor-generator has a motor shaft; and the modular rear drive unit includes:
a pinion shaft operatively connectable to the driveshaft;
a bevel gear set having a first bevel gear fixed to the pinion shaft, and a second bevel gear fixed to the differential carrier and meshing with the first bevel gear;
a cross shaft fixed to and extending forward from the motor shaft generally parallel with the driveshaft;
wherein the gearing arrangement is a reduction gear set having a first transfer gear fixed to the cross shaft, and a second transfer gear fixed to the pinion shaft and meshing with the first transfer gear; and
wherein the reduction gear set is configured to multiply torque from the cross shaft to the pinion shaft.

### Claim 20 (depends on 17)

The powertrain of claim 17, wherein the second motor-generator has a motor shaft with an axis of rotation generally parallel with the driveshaft.