US 2019/0168731 A1Published application

Multi-mode engine-disconnect clutch assemblies and control logic for hybrid electric vehicles

AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC

InventorsChunhao J. Lee, Neeraj S. Shidore, Dongxu Li, Norman K. Bucknor, Farzad Samie, Derek F. Lahr

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Abstract

Presented are engine-disconnect clutches with attendant control logic, methods for making/operating such disconnect clutches, and hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) equipped with an engine that is coupled to/decoupled from a transmission and electric motor via a disconnect clutch. A representative method for controlling an HEV powertrain includes receiving an HEV powertrain operation command, then determining a clutch mode of a multi-mode clutch device to execute the HEV powertrain operation. This multi-mode clutch device is operable in: a lock-lock mode, in which the clutch device transmits torque to and from the engine; a free-free mode, in which the clutch device disconnects the engine's output member from the transmission's input member, preventing torque transmission to and from the engine; a lock-free mode, in which the clutch device transmits torque from but not to the engine; and, a free-lock mode, in which the clutch device transmits torque to but not from the engine.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for controlling operation of a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) powertrain, the HEV powertrain including an engine with an engine output member, a transmission with a transmission input member, an electric motor with a motor output member selectively connectable to the transmission input member, and a multi-mode clutch device selectively disconnecting the engine output member from the transmission input member, the method comprising:

receiving a command signal indicative of an HEV powertrain operation, the HEV operation being dependent upon a driver input and a current vehicle operating condition;
determining a current clutch mode of the multi-mode clutch device, the current clutch mode being dependent upon the current vehicle operating condition;
determining a matching clutch mode of the multi-mode clutch device to execute the HEV powertrain operation, the multi-mode clutch device being operable in the following modes:
a lock-lock mode in which the multi-mode clutch device transmits torque to and from the engine,
a free-free mode in which the multi-mode clutch device disconnects the engine output member from the transmission input member and thereby prevents torque transmission to and from the engine,
a lock-free mode in which the multi-mode clutch device transmits torque from and not to the engine, and
a free-lock mode in which the multi-mode clutch device transmits torque to and not from the engine;
and
responsive to the current and matching clutch modes being different, transmitting a command signal to the multi-mode clutch device to switch from the current clutch mode to the determined matching clutch mode.

6 more elements

A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) comprising:

a vehicle body with a plurality of road wheels;
an internal combustion engine (ICE) assembly attached to the vehicle body, the ICE assembly including a crankshaft configured to output torque generated by the ICE assembly;
a motor/generator unit (MGU) attached to the vehicle body in parallel power-flow communication with the ICE assembly, the MGU including a motor output shaft configured to output torque generated by the MGU;
a multi-speed transmission operable to receive, selectively modify, and transmit torque output by the MGU and ICE assembly to one or more of the road wheels;
a multi-mode selectable one-way clutch (SOWC) interposed between the ICE assembly and both the MGU and multi-speed transmission, the multi-mode SOWC being operable in:
a lock-lock mode in which the multi-mode SOWC transmits torque to and from the engine;
a free-free mode in which the multi-mode SOWC disconnects the engine from the transmission and the MGU to thereby prevent torque transmission to and from the engine;
a lock-free mode in which the multi-mode SOWC transmits torque from and not to the engine;
and a free-lock mode in which the SOWC transmits torque to and not from the engine;
and
a vehicle controller communicatively connected to the multi-mode SOWC and programmed to execute memory stored instructions to:
receive a command signal indicative of an HEV powertrain operation;
determine a current clutch mode of the multi-mode SOWC;
determine a matching clutch mode of the multi-mode SOWC to execute the HEV powertrain operation;
and
responsive to the current and matching clutch modes being different, transmit a command signal to the multi-mode SOWC to switch from the current clutch mode to the determined matching clutch mode.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 15/829,043Filed 1 Dec 2017
Published: 6 Jun 2019
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification34 codes

B60K 6/387
Characterised by the driveline clutches: actuated clutches, i.e. clutches engaged or disengaged by electric, hydraulic or mechanical actuating means
B60W 10/026
Including control of torque converters: of lock-up clutches
B60K 6/48
Characterised by the architecture of the hybrid electric vehicle: parallel type
B60L 7/18
Dynamic electric regenerative braking: controlling the braking effect

Family

US 10,358,123 B2Related patent
US 2019/0168731 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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