# US 8,770,364 B2 · Modular powertrain component for hybrid electric vehicles

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- Number: US 8,770,364 B2
- Document ID: US8770364B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/362,024
- Filed: 2012-01-31
- Published: 2013-08-01
- Granted: 2014-07-08
- Earliest claimed: 2012-01-31
- Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
- Applicants: Steven A. Frait; Keith A. Devereaux
- Inventors: Steven A. Frait; Keith A. Devereaux
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8770364B2

## CPC

- B60K 6/26: characterised by the motors or the generators
- B60K 6/387: Actuated clutches, i.e. clutches engaged or disengaged by electric, hydraulic or mechanical actuating means
- B60K 6/405: Housings
- B60K 6/48: Parallel type
- B60Y 2304/072: by preassembled subunits
- B60Y 2304/076: by add-on parts, e.g. retrofit
- B60Y 2400/426: Hydrodynamic couplings, e.g. torque converters
- Y02T 10/62: Hybrid vehicles
- 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
- B60Y: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY
- Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION

## Abstract

A powertrain module includes an input, a first bulkhead supporting the input for rotation, a hub, an electric machine including a stator connected to the first bulkhead and a rotor connected to the hub, a clutch for alternately opening and closing a drive connection between the input and the rotor, a servo for actuating the clutch and supported on the input, and a second bulkhead supporting the hub for rotation.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A powertrain module, comprising:
an input;
a first bulkhead supporting the input;
a rotor hub;
an electric machine including a stator connected to the first bulkhead, and a rotor connected to the rotor hub;
a clutch for alternately opening and closing a drive connection between the input and the rotor hub;
a servo supported on the input for actuating the clutch;
a second bulkhead supporting the rotor hub; and
a flexplate driveably connected to the rotor hub and connectable to a torque converter casing.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The module of claim 1, further comprising:
first spline teeth formed on the rotor hub;
second spline teeth formed on the flexplate and engageable with the first spline teeth.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The module of claim 1, further comprising a torsion damper connected to the input and connectable to an engine output, said damper located in a torque delivery path between the engine output and the input.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The module of claim 1, further comprising:
a clutch hub driveably connected to the input;
a tube secured to the rotor;
a first leg secured to the tube and supported for rotation by a first bearing on the first bulkhead;
a second leg secured to the tube and supported for rotation by a second bearing on the second bulkhead.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The module of claim 4, further comprising a resolver secured to the first bulkhead and the first leg, and located between the first and second bulkheads.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The module of claim 4, further comprising a third bearing fitted in the first bulkhead for supporting the input in rotation.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The module of claim 1, further comprising
a clutch hub secured to the input;
a tube secured to the rotor;
the clutch further includes:
first clutch plates secured to the clutch hub; and
second clutch plates secured to the tube; and
the servo further includes:
a piston moveable in a cylinder, forcing the first and second clutch plates into mutual frictional engagement, thereby engaging the clutch; and
a return spring forcing the piston away from the clutch plates, allowing the clutch plates to mutually disengage, thereby disengaging the clutch.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The module of claim 7, further comprising:
the clutch hub driveably connected to the input and supporting the servo; and
hydraulic lines formed in the input and clutch hub and communicating hydraulically with the servo.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The module of claim 1, wherein the first bulkhead further includes:
a sump for containing hydraulically fluid;
a solenoid-actuated valve; and
a line communicating hydraulically with the solenoid-actuated valve.

### Claim 10

A powertrain module, comprising:
an input;
a first bulkhead supporting the input;
a clutch hub secured to the input;
a rotor hub;
an electric machine including a stator connected to the first bulkhead, and a rotor connected to the rotor hub;
a clutch for alternately opening and closing a drive connection between the input and the rotor;
a servo supported on the clutch hub for actuating the clutch and;
a second bulkhead supported on the input and supporting the rotor hub for rotation.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The module of claim 10, further comprising hydraulic lines formed in the input and clutch hub for communicating hydraulically with the servo.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The module of claim 10, further comprising a flexplate connected to the rotor hub and connectable to a torque converter casing.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The module of claim 10, further comprising:
a flexplate driveably connected to the rotor hub and connectable to a torque converter casing;
first spline teeth formed on the rotor hub; and
second spline teeth formed on the flexplate and engageable with the first spline teeth.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The module of claim 10, further comprising a torsion damper connected to the input and connectable to an engine output, said damper located in a torque delivery path between the engine output and the input.

### Claim 15 (depends on 10)

The module of claim 10, wherein the rotor hub further comprises:
a tube secured to the rotor;
a first leg secured to the tube and supported for rotation by a first bearing on the first bulkhead;
a second leg secured to the tube and supported for rotation by a second bearing on the second bulkhead.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The module of claim 15, wherein the clutch further comprises:
first clutch plates secured to the clutch hub;
second clutch plates secured to the tube; and
the servo further comprises:
a piston moveable in a cylinder, forcing the first and second clutch plates into mutual frictional engagement, thereby engaging the clutch; and
a return spring forcing the piston away from the clutch plates, allowing the clutch plates to mutually disengage, thereby disengaging the clutch.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The module of claim 15, further comprising a resolver secured to the first bulkhead and the first leg, and located between the first and second bulkheads.

### Claim 18 (depends on 10)

The module of claim 10, further comprising a third bearing fitted in the first bulkhead for supporting the input in rotation.