US 5,844,342 A · Power output apparatus and method of controlling the same

Abstract

A power output apparatus 20 includes an engine 50, a clutch motor 30 having rotors 31 and 33 respectively linked with a crankshaft 56 and a drive shaft 22, an assist motor 40 attached to a rotor-rotating shaft 38, a first clutch 45 for connecting and disconnecting the rotor-rotating shaft 38 to and from the crankshaft 56, a second clutch 46 for connecting and disconnecting the rotor-rotating shaft 38 to and from the drive shaft 22, and a controller 80 for controlling the motors 30 and 40. The controller 80 operates the clutches 45 and 46 according to the states of the engine 50 and the drive shaft 22 and changes the connection of the rotor-rotating shaft 38, so as to enable power output from the engine 50 to be efficiently converted by the motors 30 and 40 and output to the drive shaft 22.

Claims50

Dependent claims

A power output apparatus for outputting power to a drive shaft, said power output apparatus comprising:

an engine having an output shaft;
a first motor comprising a first rotor connected with said output shaft of said engine and a second rotor connected with said drive shaft, said second rotor being rotatable relative to said first rotor, said first and second rotors being electromagnetically connected with each other, whereby power is transmitted between said output shaft of said engine and said drive shaft via an electromagnetic coupling of said first rotor with said second rotor;
a second motor having a rotating shaft different from said output shaft and said drive shaft, said second motor receiving and transmitting power via said rotating shaft;
first connection means for mechanically connecting said rotating shaft to said output shaft and releasing the connection;
and
second connection means for mechanically connecting said rotating shaft to said drive shaft and releasing the connection.

3 more elements

A method of controlling a power output apparatus for outputting power to a drive shaft, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing (1) an engine having an output shaft;
(2) a first motor comprising a first rotor connected with said output shaft of said engine and a second rotor connected with said drive shaft, said second rotor being rotatable relative to said first rotor, said first and second rotors being electromagnetically connected with each other, whereby power is transmitted between said output shaft of said engine and said drive shaft via an electromagnetic coupling of said first rotor with said second rotor;
(3) a second motor having a rotating shaft different from said output shaft and said drive shaft, said second motor receiving and transmitting power via said rotating shaft;
(4) first connection means for mechanically connecting said rotating shaft to said output shaft and releasing the connection;
and (5) second connection means for mechanically connecting said rotating shaft to said drive shaft and releasing the connection;
(b) controlling said first connection means to release the connection of said rotating shaft with said output shaft and controlling said second connection means to connect said rotating shaft to said drive shaft when a revolving speed of said output shaft is higher than a revolving speed of said drive shaft;
and
(c) controlling said first connection means to connect said rotating shaft to said output shaft and controlling said second connection means to release the connection of said rotating shaft with said drive shaft when the revolving speed of said output shaft is lower than the revolving speed of said drive shaft.

5 more elements

A method of controlling a power output apparatus for outputting power to a drive shaft, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing (1) an engine having an output shaft;
(2) a first motor comprising a first rotor connected with said output shaft of said engine and a second rotor connected with said drive shaft, said second rotor being rotatable relative to said first rotor, said first and second rotors being electromagnetically connected with each other, whereby power is transmitted between said output shaft of said engine and said drive shaft via an electromagnetic coupling of said first rotor with said second rotor;
(3) a second motor having a rotating shaft different from said output shaft and said drive shaft, said second motor receiving and transmitting power via said rotating shaft;
(4) first connection means for mechanically connecting said rotating shaft to said output shaft and releasing the connection;
and (5) second connection means for mechanically connecting said rotating shaft to said drive shaft and releasing the connection;
and
(b) controlling said first connection means and said second connection means in order to enable said rotating shaft to be connected with said drive shaft and with said output shaft, provided that state of said engine is within a predetermined efficient driving range when a revolving speed of said drive shaft is identical with a revolving speed of said output shaft of said engine.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Power output apparatus and method of controlling the same

Life of this patent

Power output apparatus and method of controlling the same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims50