Front end motor-generator system and hybrid electric vehicle operating method
First Claim
1. A hybrid electric arrangement for an internal combustion engine having a front end opposite a rear end at which an engine flywheel is located, comprising:
- a motor;
a switchable coupling configured to be positioned in a region adjacent to the front end of the engine, the switchable coupling includingan engine-side portion connectable to a rotatable shaft at the front end of the engine,a drive portion selectively engageable with the engine-side portion, andan engagement actuator configured to selectively engage the drive portion with the engine-side portion,wherein at least a portion of the drive portion and the engagement actuator concentrically overlap one another axially along a coupling rotation axis;
a torque transfer segment configured to transfer torque between the motor and the drive portion of the switchable coupling, the switchable coupling being coupled to a first end of the torque transfer segment and the motor being coupled to a second end of the torque transfer segment opposite the first end, the second end being located laterally offset from the coupling rotation axis; and
a front end motor controller configured to control actuation of the switchable coupling between engaged and disengaged states.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method are provided for hybrid electric internal combustion engine applications in which a motor-generator, a narrow switchable coupling and a torque transfer unit therebetween are arranged and positioned in the constrained environment at the front of an engine in applications such as commercial vehicles, off-road vehicles and stationary engine installations. The motor-generator is preferably positioned laterally offset from the switchable coupling, which is co-axially-arranged with the front end of the engine crankshaft. The switchable coupling is an integrated unit in which a crankshaft vibration damper, an engine accessory drive pulley and a disengageable clutch overlap such that the axial depth of the clutch-pulley-damper unit is nearly the same as a conventional belt drive pulley and engine damper. The front end motor-generator system includes an electrical energy store that receives electrical energy generated by the motor-generator when the coupling is engaged. When the coupling is disengaged, the motor-generator may drive the pulley portion of the clutch-pulley-damper to drive the engine accessories using energy returned from the energy store, independent of the engine crankshaft.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A hybrid electric arrangement for an internal combustion engine having a front end opposite a rear end at which an engine flywheel is located, comprising:
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a motor; a switchable coupling configured to be positioned in a region adjacent to the front end of the engine, the switchable coupling including an engine-side portion connectable to a rotatable shaft at the front end of the engine, a drive portion selectively engageable with the engine-side portion, and an engagement actuator configured to selectively engage the drive portion with the engine-side portion, wherein at least a portion of the drive portion and the engagement actuator concentrically overlap one another axially along a coupling rotation axis; a torque transfer segment configured to transfer torque between the motor and the drive portion of the switchable coupling, the switchable coupling being coupled to a first end of the torque transfer segment and the motor being coupled to a second end of the torque transfer segment opposite the first end, the second end being located laterally offset from the coupling rotation axis; and a front end motor controller configured to control actuation of the switchable coupling between engaged and disengaged states. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification