Power transmitting apparatus for a hybrid vehicle

Abstract

A power transmitting mechanism for use in a hybrid vehicle includes first and second continuously variable transmissions connected to an output shaft of a vehicle's engine. The first continuously variable transmission causes left and right wheels to rotate via a starting clutch, differential gear and vehicle's axle. The second continuously variable transmission drives a generator/motor and also drives pulleys that are provided for actuating auxiliaries such as an air-conditioning compressor and power-steering compressor. In acceleration of the vehicle, the generator/motor operates as an electro motor so that the axle can be driven by a combination of the output power of the engine and generator/motor. In deceleration of the vehicle, the generator/motor operates as a power generator so as to effectively collect, from the axle, decreasing energy of the vehicle. In this case, a transmission ratio of the second continuously variable transmission can be chosen to be a substantial reciprocal of a transmission ratio of the first continuously variable transmission such that the generator/motor achieves a highest possible operating efficiency. As a result, irrespective of variations in the number of rotations of the engine, the generator/motor can operate efficiently, which allows the engine, generator/motor and auxiliaries to operate in respective optimum conditions.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.