US 6,258,001 B1 · Vehicle drive train

Abstract

The present invention improves mountability of a drive train in a hybrid vehicle by minimizing axial and radial dimensions while providing for adequate output torque of the motor/generator of the drive train. A center portion of a front cover of a torque converter extends axially and a multiple disc lock-up clutch is arranged at the inner circumferential surface of the center portion while the motor/generator is arranged at the outer circumferential surface of the center portion. A spring damper is provided at the radially inner side of a circumferential surface defined by friction plates of the lock-up clutch.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A vehicle drive train for powering a vehicle comprising:

an engine having a crankshaft;
a first transmission unit having an input shaft;
a second transmission unit interposed between the crankshaft and the input shaft of said first transmission unit;
a lock-up clutch;
and
a motor having a stator and a rotor, said rotor being directly connected to an output element of said engine;
wherein:
said lock-up clutch is located axially intermediate said engine and said second transmission unit and has a diameter smaller than the largest diameter of said second transmission unit;
said motor axially overlaps an outer circumferential surface of said lock-up clutch;
and
said stator has an inner diameter smaller than the largest diameter of said second transmission unit.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

09/461,802Filed 16 Dec 1999

Priority

JP 11-08492426 Mar 1999

Granted

10 Jul 2001

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification24 codes

B60K 6/26
Characterised by apparatus, components or means specially adapted for HEVs: characterised by the motors or the generators
B60K 6/36
Characterised by apparatus, components or means specially adapted for HEVs: characterised by the transmission gearings
B60K 6/387
Characterised by the driveline clutches: actuated clutches, i.e. clutches engaged or disengaged by electric, hydraulic or mechanical actuating means
B60K 6/40
Characterised by apparatus, components or means specially adapted for HEVs: characterised by the assembly or relative disposition of components

Vehicle drive train

Life of this patent

Vehicle drive train

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25