Modular twin clutch transmission input for hybrid vehicle
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsDavid Janson, Shaun Knowles
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An assembly for transmitting power from two power sources, such as an internal combustion engine and an electric motor having a rotor, to a transmission input shaft includes a clutch hub driveably connected to the rotor, a first clutch secured to the clutch hub for alternately closing and opening a drive connection between the input shaft and clutch hub, and a second clutch secured to the clutch hub for alternately closing and opening a drive connection between the engine shaft and clutch hub.
Claims8
An apparatus for transmitting power among multiple power sources and a transmission input, comprising:
- an internal combustion engine including a shaft;
- an electric motor including a rotor;
- a transmission input;
- a clutch hub driveably connected to the rotor;
- a first clutch secured to the clutch hub, for alternately closing and opening a drive connection between the transmission input and clutch hub;
- and
- a second clutch secured to the clutch hub, for alternately closing and opening a drive connection between the engine shaft and clutch hub;
- a support hub having first and second fluid passages;
- and
- a rotor hub assembly secured to the rotor, driveably connected to the clutch hub, and having a third fluid passage communicating with the first fluid passage, and a fourth fluid passage communicating with the second fluid passage;
- and wherein the clutch hub includes:
- a fifth fluid passage communicating with the first and third fluid passages for communicating with a cylinder of the first clutch;
- and
- a sixth fluid passage communicating with the second and fourth fluid passages for communicating with a cylinder of the second clutch.
An apparatus for transmitting power among multiple power sources and a transmission input, comprising:
- an internal combustion engine including a shaft;
- an electric motor including a rotor;
- a transmission input aligned with a longitudinal axis;
- a rotor hub supporting the rotor, substantially aligned with the axis, located radially outward of the input, extending along a portion of a length of the input;
- a clutch hub driveably connected to the rotor, substantially aligned with the axis, located radially outward of the rotor hub, and extending along a portion of a length of the input;
- a first clutch secured to the clutch hub, for alternately closing and opening a drive connection between the transmission input and clutch hub;
- a second clutch secured to the clutch hub, for alternately closing and opening a drive connection between the engine shaft and clutch hub;
- and
- a support hub substantially aligned with the axis, located radially outward of the input and radially inward of the rotor hub, extending along a portion of a length of the input, and including first and second fluid passages communicating with the first and second clutches.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.