Electric hybrid four-wheel drive vehicle

• US 20020045507A1
• Filed: 09/26/2001
• Published: 04/18/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: New Venture Gear, Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: New Venture Gear, Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bowen, Thomas C.
• Granted Patent: US 6,579,201 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 475/5
• 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 6/383 One-way clutches or freewheel devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/445 Differential gearing distribution type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/52 Driving a plurality of drive axles, e.g. four-wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/543 the transmission being a continuously variable transmission
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/26 for electrical energy, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• 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 3/727 with at least two dynamo electric machines for creating an electric power path inside the gearing, e.g. using generator and motor for a variable power torque path special adapted for a hybrid electric vehicle B60K6/20
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/91 Orbital, e.g. planetary gears
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/913 One way
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/916 with plurality of drive axles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/918 Continuously variable

Abstract

An electric continuously variable transmission includes first and second planetary gear sets each having a corresponding electric motor/generator. Both planetary gear sets are integrally linked to an input shaft that transfers torque from an engine. The electric motor/generators switch between driving and retarding rotation of the corresponding planetary gear set to generate various ranges, providing variable transmission speed ratios. A brake may be selectively engaged producing an overdrive range for cruising speeds. The electric continuously variable transmission drives a first driveline for driving a first pair of wheels. A controller and battery are also provided for respectively controlling the various electric motor/generators and either storing or providing energy.

Claims

1. A continuously variable transmission comprising:

a first planetary gear set;

a second planetary gear set operably coupled to said first planetary gear set;

an input shaft rotatably coupled to each of said first and second planetary gear sets for selectively providing a drive torque;

an output shaft rotatably coupled to said second planetary gear set;

a first electric motor operably coupled to said first planetary gear set for selectively functioning to one of either rotatably drive said first planetary gear set and retard rotation of said first planetary gear set; and

a second electric motor operably coupled to said second planetary gear set for selectively functioning to one of either rotatably drive said second planetary gear set and retard rotation of said second planetary gear set;

wherein said first and second electric motors function to selectively manipulate rotation of said first and second planetary gear sets for varying a drive ratio between said input shaft and said output shaft.

2. The continuously variable transmission of claim 1, further comprising a brake disposed between said first electric motor and said first planetary gear set for selectively prohibiting one of either driving and retarding of said first planetary gear set by said first electric motor.

3. The continuously variable transmission of claim 1, further comprising a brake disposed intermediate a length of said input shaft for selectively braking rotation of said input shaft, thereby enabling either of said first and second electric motors to selectively drive the continuously variable transmission in an electric mode.

4. The continuously variable transmission of claim 1, wherein a low speed mode is achieved by said second electric motor retarding rotational motion of said second planetary gear set and said first electric motor driving said first planetary gear set.

5. The continuously variable transmission of claim 4, wherein said second electric motor generates electric energy for assisting in powering said first electric motor for driving said first planetary gear set.

6. The continuously variable transmission of claim 1, wherein an intermediate speed mode is achieved by said first electric motor retarding rotational motion of said first planetary gear set and said second electric motor driving said second planetary gear set.

7. The continuously variable transmission of claim 6, wherein said first electric motor generates electric energy for assisting in powering said second electric motor for driving said second planetary gear set.

8. The continuously variable transmission of claim 2, wherein a high speed mode is achieved by a said brake prohibiting one of either driving and retarding of said first planetary gear set by said first electric motor, thereby enabling said input shaft to directly drive said output shaft.

9. The continuously variable transmission of claim 1, wherein said input shaft drives a carrier of said first planetary gear set and a sun gear of said second planetary gear set.

10. The continuously variable transmission of claim 1, wherein said output shaft is driven by a carrier of said second planetary gear set.

11. The continuously variable transmission of claim 1, wherein said input shaft is fixed for rotation with a carrier of said first planetary gear set and a sun gear of said second planetary gear set.

12. The continuously variable transmission of claim 1, wherein a ring gear of said first planetary gear set is fixed for rotation with a carrier of said second planetary gear set.

13. The continuously variable transmission of claim 1, further comprising a controller for controlling each of said first and second electric motors.

14. The continuously variable transmission of claim 1, further comprising a power source for powering either of said first and second electric motors.

16. The hybrid vehicle of claim 15, further comprising a brake disposed between said first electric motor and said first planetary gear set for selectively prohibiting one of either driving and retarding of said first planetary gear set by said first electric motor.

17. The hybrid vehicle of claim 15, further comprising a brake disposed intermediate a length of said input shaft for selectively braking rotation of said input shaft, thereby enabling either of said first and second electric motors to selectively drive said transmission in an electric mode.

18. The hybrid vehicle of claim 15, wherein a low speed mode is achieved by said second electric motor retarding rotational motion of said second planetary gear set and said first electric motor driving said first planetary gear set.

19. The hybrid vehicle of claim 18, wherein said second electric motor generates electric energy for assisting in powering said first electric motor for driving said first planetary gear set.

20. The hybrid vehicle of claim 15, wherein an intermediate speed mode is achieved by said first electric motor retarding rotational motion of said first planetary gear set and said second electric motor driving said second planetary gear set.

21. The hybrid vehicle of claim 20, wherein said first electric motor generates electric energy for assisting in powering said second electric motor for driving said second planetary gear set.

22. The hybrid vehicle of claim 16, wherein a high speed mode is achieved by a said brake prohibiting one of either driving and retarding of said first planetary gear set by said first electric motor, thereby enabling said input shaft to directly drive said output shaft.

23. The hybrid vehicle of claim 15, wherein said input shaft drives a carrier of said first planetary gear set and a sun gear of said second planetary gear set.

24. The hybrid vehicle of claim 15, wherein said output shaft is driven by a carrier of said second planetary gear set.

25. The hybrid vehicle of claim 15, wherein said input shaft is fixed for rotation with a carrier of said first planetary gear set and a sun gear of said second planetary gear set.

26. The hybrid vehicle of claim 15, wherein a ring gear of said first planetary gear set is fixed for rotation with a carrier of said second planetary gear set.

27. The hybrid vehicle of claim 15, further comprising a controller for controlling each of said first and second electric motors.

28. The hybrid vehicle of claim 15, further comprising a power source for powering either of said first and second electric motors.

29. The hybrid vehicle of claim 15, further comprising a second driveline operably interconnected with said output shaft for driving a second wheel.

30. The hybrid vehicle of claim 29, further comprising a transfer mechanism for mechanically interconnecting said output shaft with a second output shaft for driving said second wheel.

31. The hybrid vehicle of claim 30, wherein said transfer mechanism comprises:

a first gear fixed for rotation with said output shaft;

a second gear interconnected for rotation with said second output shaft; and

a transfer member for operably interconnecting said first and second gears, whereby rotation of said first gear drives rotation of said second gear.

32. The hybrid vehicle of claim 31, wherein said transfer mechanism further comprises a clutch pack interconnecting said second gear and said second output shaft for selectively retarding rotational motion of the second output shaft, relative to rotational motion of the second gear.

33. The hybrid vehicle of claim 29, further comprising a third electric motor in electrical communication with a controller for selectively driving said second wheel, said controller in electrical communication with said transmission.

15. A hybrid vehicle comprising:

an engine;

a transmission operably attached to said engine, said transmission including;

a first planetary gear set;

a second planetary gear set operably coupled to said first planetary gear set;

an input shaft rotatably coupled to said engine and each of said first and second planetary gear sets for inputting a drive torque from said engine;

an output shaft rotatably coupled to said second planetary gear set;

a first electric motor operably coupled to said first planetary gear set for selectively functioning to one of either rotatably drive said first planetary gear set and retard rotation of said first planetary gear set; and

a second electric motor operably coupled to said second planetary gear set for selectively functioning to one of either rotatably drive said second planetary gear set and retard rotation of said second planetary gear set;

wherein said first and second electric motors function to selectively manipulate rotation of said first and second planetary gear sets for varying a drive ratio between said input shaft and said output shaft;

a first driveline operably interconnected with said output shaft for driving a first wheel.