Method for starting a combustion engine in a hybrid driveline

• US 10,046,758 B2
• Filed: 03/17/2015
• Issued: 08/14/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Scania CV AB (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: Scania CV AB (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Lindstrom, Johan, Bjorkman, Mathias, Pettersson, Niklas, Bergquist, Mikael
• Primary Examiner(s): Cheung, Mary D
• Application Number:
  US15/124,100
• Publication Number:
  US 20170080924A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,246 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/02 comprising more than one electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/365 with the gears having orbital motion
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/40 characterised by the assembly or relative disposition of components
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/442 Series-parallel switching type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/445 Differential gearing distribution type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/547 the transmission being a stepped gearing
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/113 with two input flow paths, e.g. double clutch transmission selection of one of the torque flow paths by the corresponding input clutch
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/115 with planetary gears
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/00 Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles hybrid vehicle design, B60K6/00; electric vehicles B60L
• CPC Class Codes: 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
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/92 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2300/182 Selecting between different operative modes, e.g. comfort and performance modes
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2400/732 with intermeshing planetary gears, e.g. Ravigneaux
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/062 for starting F02D41/061 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/26 using computer, e.g. microprocessor
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/006 using a plurality of electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/04 the motors being associated with current generators
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 15/022 the starter comprising an intermediate clutch
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 15/046 : of the planetary type
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2300/2002 : using different starting modes, methods, or actuators depending on circumstances, e.g. engine temperature or component wear
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2037/101 : Power split variators with one differential at each end of the CVT
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2037/102 : the input or output shaft of the transmission is connected or connectable to two or more differentials
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2200/2007 : with two sets of orbital gears
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 3/006 : power being selectively transmitted by either one of the parallel flow paths
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 3/091 : including a single countershaft
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 3/728 : with means to change ratio in the mechanical gearing
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 37/042 : change gear transmissions in group arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/116 : with gears
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 : Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/93 : Conjoint control of different elements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/945 : Characterized by control of gearing, e.g. control of transmission ratio

Abstract

The invention relates to a method to start a combustion engine in a hybrid powertrain by a) disconnecting rotatable components of a first planetary gear from each other, b) disconnecting rotatable components of a second planetary gear from each other, c) preventing rotation of at least one gear pair, which is connected with the first planetary gear and an output shaft and at least one gear pair, which is connected with the second planetary gear and the output shaft, prevent rotation of the output shaft, and e) activating a first electrical machine connected to the first planetary gear, and/or a second electrical machine connected to the second planetary gear, so that the combustion engine starts.

Claims

1. A method to start a combustion engine in a hybrid powertrain, comprising a gearbox with an input shaft and an output shaft;

a first planetary gear, connected to the input shaft and a first main shaft;

a second planetary gear, connected to the first planetary gear and a second main shaft;

a first electrical machine, connected to the first planetary gear;

a second electrical machine, connected to the second planetary gear;

at least one gear pair, connected with the first main shaft, and therefore with the first planetary gear and the output shaft;

at least one gear pair, connected with the second main shaft, and therefore with the second planetary gear and the output shaft;

at least one gear pair, connected with a countershaft and with the output shaft, wherein the combustion engine, via the input shaft, is connected with a first planetary wheel carrier, arranged in the first planetary gear, and wherein the second main shaft is connected with a planetary wheel carrier, arranged in the second planetary gear, wherein the gear pairs are connected to the output shaft, via the countershaft and the gear pair, said method comprising;

a) disconnecting the rotatable components of the first planetary gear from each other;

b) disconnecting the rotatable components of the second planetary gear from each other;

c) preventing rotation of the at least one gear pair, which is connected with the first planetary gear and the output shaft; and

the at least one gear pair, which is connected with the second planetary gear and the output shaft;

d) preventing rotation of the output shaft; and

e) activating the first electrical machine and/or the second electrical machine, so that the combustion engine starts.

2. The method according to claim 1, comprising:

disconnecting, in step a), with the use of a first coupling device, a first sun wheel and the first planetary wheel carrier, arranged in the first planetary gear, from each other; and

disconnecting, in step b), with the use of a second coupling device, a second sun wheel and the second planetary wheel carrier, arranged in the second planetary gear, from each other.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the combustion engine is connected with the first planetary wheel carrier, which is connected with the second sun wheel.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one gear pair connected with the first planetary gear and the output shaft on the one hand comprises a first pinion gear and a first cogwheel in engagement with each other, which first pinion gear is fixedly connected with the first planetary gear and which first cogwheel is arranged on a countershaft, so that it may be connected and disconnected;

comprises a third pinion gear and a third cogwheel engaged with each other, which third pinion gear is fixedly arranged with the first planetary gear, and which third cogwheel is arranged so that it may be connected with or disconnected from the countershaft,

wherein in step c) the first or the third cogwheel is connected to the countershaft, so that the first or the third cogwheel is prevented from rotating.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one gear pair, connected with the second planetary gear and the output shaft, in the one hand comprises a second pinion gear and a second cogwheel in engagement with each other, which second pinion gear is fixedly arranged with the second planetary gear and which second cogwheel is arranged on a countershaft, so that it may be connected and disconnected;

comprises a fourth pinion gear and a fourth cogwheel engaged with each other, which fourth pinion gear is fixedly arranged with the second planetary gear, and which fourth cogwheel is arranged so that it may be connected with or disconnected from the countershaft, wherein in step c) the second or the fourth cogwheel is connected to the countershaft, so that the second or the fourth cogwheel is prevented from rotating.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein in step d) the output shaft is prevented from rotating with a brake device for the driving wheels of a vehicle, to which driving wheels the output shaft is connected.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein in step d) the output shaft is prevented from rotating via at least the gear pair, connected with the countershaft and the output shaft.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one gear pair, which is connected with a countershaft and the output shaft, comprises a fifth and sixth cogwheel in engagement with each other, which fifth cogwheel is arranged so that it may be connected with and disconnected from the countershaft with the use of a fifth coupling element, and the sixth cogwheel is arranged on the output shaft, wherein the fifth cogwheel is connected to the countershaft in step d).

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein a coupling mechanism is arranged between the first planetary gear and the output shaft, and in step d) the coupling mechanism is locked so that the first planetary gear is connected with the output shaft.

10. The method according claim 1, wherein in step e) the first and the second electrical machines are activated, so that the first electrical machine rotates in the opposite direction from the second electrical machine.

11. A vehicle comprising:

a hybrid powertrain, comprising;

a gearbox with an input shaft and an output shaft;

a first planetary gear, connected to the input shaft and a first main shaft;

a second planetary gear, connected to the first planetary gear and a second main shaft;

a first electrical machine, connected to the first planetary gear;

a second electrical machine, connected to the second planetary gear;

at least one gear pair, connected with the first main shaft, and therefore with the first planetary gear and the output shaft;

at least one gear pair, connected with the second main shaft, and therefore with the second planetary gear and the output shaft;

at least one gear pair, connected with a side shaft and with the output shaft,

wherein the combustion engine, via the input shaft, is connected with a first planetary wheel carrier, arranged in the first planetary gear, and wherein the second main shaft is connected with a planetary wheel carrier, arranged in the second planetary gear, and the gear pairs are connected with the output shaft via a countershaft and the gear pair; and

an electronic control device arranged to control the start of the combustion engine, said electronic device configured to perform the following operations;

a) disconnecting the rotatable components of the first planetary gear from each other;

b) disconnecting the rotatable components of the second planetary gear from each other;

c) preventing rotation of the at least one gear pair, which is connected with the first planetary gear and the output shaft; and

the at least one gear pair, which is connected with the second planetary gear and the output shaft;

d) preventing rotation of the output shaft; and

e) activating the first electrical machine and/or the second electrical machine, so that the combustion engine starts.

12. A computer program product comprising computer program code stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium readable by a computer, used to start a combustion engine in a hybrid powertrain, comprising a gearbox with an input shaft and an output shaft;

a first planetary gear, connected to the input shaft and a first main shaft;

a second planetary gear, connected to the first planetary gear and a second main shaft;

a first electrical machine, connected to the first planetary gear;

a second electrical machine, connected to the second planetary gear;

at least one gear pair, connected with the first main shaft, and therefore with the first planetary gear and the output shaft;

at least one gear pair, connected with the second main shaft, and therefore with the second planetary gear and the output shaft;

at least one gear pair, connected with a countershaft and with the output shaft, wherein the combustion engine, via the input shaft, is connected with a first planetary wheel carrier, arranged in the first planetary gear, and wherein the second main shaft is connected with a planetary wheel carrier, arranged in the second planetary gear, wherein the gear pairs are connected to the output shaft, via the countershaft and the gear pair,

said computer program code comprising computer instructions to cause one or more computer processors to perform the operations of;

a) disconnecting the rotatable components of the first planetary gear from each other;

b) disconnecting the rotatable components of the second planetary gear from each other;

c) preventing rotation of the at least one gear pair, which is connected with the first planetary gear and the output shaft; and

the at least one gear pair, which is connected with the second planetary gear and the output shaft;

d) preventing rotation of the output shaft; and

e) activating the first electrical machine and/or the second electrical machine, so that the combustion engine starts.