# US 7,611,004 B2 · Control system and method for controlling an operational mode of a vehicle via multiple clutch assemblies

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 7,611,004 B2
- Document ID: US7611004B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/500,040
- Filed: 2006-08-07
- Published: 2008-02-07
- Granted: 2009-11-03
- Earliest claimed: 2006-08-07
- Assignees: Deere & Company
- Inventors: Chris Alan DeRoo; Larry Dean Swanson
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7611004B2

## CPC

- B60W 20/40: Controlling the engagement or disengagement of prime movers, e.g. for transition between prime movers {(power-up or power-down of the driveline B60W30/192)}
- B60K 6/36: characterised by the transmission gearings
- B60K 6/387: Actuated clutches, i.e. clutches engaged or disengaged by electric, hydraulic or mechanical actuating means
- B60K 6/442: Series-parallel switching type
- B60K 6/547: the transmission being a stepped gearing
- B60W 10/02: including control of driveline clutches
- B60W 50/082: {Selecting or switching between different modes of propelling}
- B60K 2006/4833: {Step up or reduction gearing driving generator, e.g. to operate generator in most efficient speed range}
- B60W 20/00: Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles {(hybrid vehicle design, B60K6/00; electric vehicles B60L)}
- Y02T 10/62: Hybrid vehicles
- Y10S 903/914: Actuated, e.g. engaged or disengaged by electrical, hydraulic or mechanical means
- Y10S 903/946: Characterized by control of driveline clutch
- B60W: CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
- B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

## Abstract

A first clutch assembly has an active state for transmitting rotational energy and an inactive state for not transmitting rotational energy. A generator has a generator shaft associated with the first clutch assembly. A second clutch assembly has an active state for transmitting rotational energy and an inactive state for not transmitting rotational energy. A transmission has a transmission shaft directly or indirectly associated with the second clutch assembly. A third clutch assembly has an active state for transmitting rotational energy and an inactive state for not transmitting rotational energy. An engine has an engine shaft associated with the third clutch assembly. A controller establishes an operational mode of the vehicle by controlling the states of the first clutch assembly, the second clutch assembly, and the third clutch assembly.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A control system for a vehicle, the system comprising:
a first clutch assembly comprising a first input member and a first output member, the first clutch assembly having an active state in which rotational energy is transmitted between the first input member and the first output member and an inactive state in which rotational energy is not transmitted between the first input member and the first output member;
a generator having a generator shaft, the generator shaft coupled to the first output member of the first clutch assembly;
a second clutch assembly comprising a second input member and a second output member, the second clutch assembly having an active state in which rotational energy is transmitted between the second input member and the second output member and an inactive state in which rotational energy is not transmitted between the second input member and the second output member;
a transmission having a transmission shaft coupled to the second output member of the second clutch assembly;
a third clutch assembly comprising a third input member and a third output member, the third clutch assembly having an active state in which rotational energy is transmitted between the third input member and the third output member and an inactive state in which rotational energy is not transmitted between the third input member and the third output member, wherein the first input member is connected to a first gear, the second output member is connected to a second gear, and the third output member is connected to a third gear; the first gear engaging the third gear, the second gear engaging a fourth gear, wherein the fourth gear is associated with the transmission shaft;
an engine having an engine shaft coupled to the third input member of the third clutch assembly;
a controller for establishing an operational mode of the vehicle by controlling the states of the first clutch assembly, the second clutch assembly, and the third clutch assembly using control data, wherein the control data is provided by a driver to at least one of the first clutch assembly, the second clutch assembly, and the third clutch assembly, and wherein the control data is one of a digital control signal and an analog control signal; and
a user interface coupled to the controller, wherein the user interface receives the control data to select the operational mode.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the first input member is connected to a first cylindrical member, the second output member is connected to a second cylindrical member, and the third output member is coupled to a third cylindrical member; and further comprising a tension member for rotational coupling the first cylindrical member to the third cylindrical member and for rotational coupling the second cylindrical member to the at least one of a fourth cylindrical member and the transmission shaft.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the first clutch assembly, the second clutch assembly, and the third clutch assembly, and the first gear, second gear, third gear, and fourth gear are arranged to form a mode control gearbox.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The vehicle according to claim 3 wherein the mode control gearbox and the transmission are combined in an integral housing.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the first input member is connected to a first sprocket, the second output member is connected to a second sprocket, and the third output member is connected to a third sprocket; and further comprising chains for rotational coupling the first sprocket to the third sprocket and for rotational coupling the second sprocket to at least one of a fourth sprocket and the transmission shaft.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the operational mode comprises a first operational mode in which the engine supplies rotational energy to the generator for power generation where the controller generates control signals such that the first clutch assembly is active, the second clutch assembly is inactive, and the third clutch assembly is active.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the operational mode comprises a second operational mode in which the engine supplies rotational energy to the transmission where the controller generates control signals such that the first clutch assembly is inactive, the second clutch assembly is active, and the third clutch assembly is active.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the operational mode comprises a third operational mode in which propulsion may be provided by rotational energy from the engine and by rotational energy from a motor coupled to the generator where the controller generates control signals such that the first clutch assembly is active, the second clutch assembly is active, and the third clutch assembly is active.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the first clutch assembly, the second clutch assembly, and the third clutch assembly comprise electromagnetic clutches.