Method and an apparatus for transferring torque and a hybrid vehicle incorporating the method and apparatus

• US 20040043861A1
• Filed: 06/17/2003
• Published: 03/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Original Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Inventors: Supina, Joseph Gerald, Kozarekar, Shailesh S.
• Application Number:
  US10/463,046
• Publication Number:
  US 20040043861A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 477/3
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/365 with the gears having orbital motion
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/485 Motor-assist type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/54 Transmission for changing ratio
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/02 including control of driveline clutches
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/10 including control of change-speed gearings
• 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 20/19 for achieving enhanced acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/30 Control strategies involving selection of transmission gear ratio control of change speed gearings, together with other vehicle sub-units B60W10/10; HEV transmission gearing B60K6/36; gearings and control thereof F16H
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18027 Drive off, accelerating from standstill
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 3/52 comprising orbital spur gears
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 37/046 with an additional planetary gear train, e.g. creep gear, overdrive
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/04 Features relating to lubrication or cooling or heatingin hydrokinetic gearing F16H41/30; control of lubrication or cooling in hydrostatic gearing F16H61/4165
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles

Abstract

A method and an apparatus 10 for transferring torque from at least one torque generator 12, 14 to at least one wheel 20 of a hybrid vehicle. The apparatus 10 includes a operatively coupled pair of clutches 24, 26 which cooperatively provide a dynamically adjustable gear ratio, effective to allow the vehicle to be quickly and efficiently launched and efficiently operated after launch.

Claims

1. ) An assembly which regulates the amount of torque provided from a motor to at least one wheel of a hybrid vehicle.

2. ) The assembly of claim 1 wherein said assembly regulates said amount of torque by providing a selected one of three gear arrangements including a neutral gear arrangement.

3. ) The assembly of claim 2 comprising a gear assembly;

and a pair of clutches.

4. ) The assembly of claim 3 further comprising a controller which is coupled to said pair of clutches;

and a sensor which is coupled to said controller and which selectively generates and communicates a signal to said controller, effective to cause said controller to cause said assembly to provide said selected one of said three gear ratios.

5. ) The assembly of claim 4 wherein said sensor comprises a position sensor.

6. ) The assembly of claim 4 wherein said sensor comprises a speed sensor.

7. ) The assembly of claim 4 wherein two of said three gear ratios respectively comprise a first ratio of about 6 and a second ratio of about 1.8.

8. ) The assembly of claim 1 being further adapted to selectively regulate the amount of torque provided by an engine to said at least one wheel.

9. ) The assembly of claim 8 wherein at least one of said pair of clutches is biased in a closed position, effective to allow electric power to be communicated to a power source.

10. ) A hybrid vehicle comprising at least two torque production sources;

at least one wheel; and

a transmission assembly which is adapted to receive a first amount of torque from at least one of said at least two torque production sources and to communicate second and third amounts of torque to said at least one wheel; and

a controller which is coupled to said transmission assembly and which causes said second amount of torque to be communicated to said at least one wheel during launch and said third amount of torque to be communicated to said at least one wheel after launch, wherein said third amount of torque is less than said second amount of torque.

11. ) The transmission assembly of claim 10 comprising a gear assembly;

and a pair of clutches.

12. ) The transmission assembly of claim 11 wherein said at least one source comprises an electric motor.

13. ) The transmission assembly of claim 11 wherein said at least one source comprises an internal combustion engine.

14. ) The transmission assembly of claim 11 further comprising a sensor which generates and communicates a signal to said controller, effective to cause said controller to cause said transmission assembly to provide one of two gear ratios.

15. ) The transmission assembly of claim 14 wherein said sensor comprises a speed sensor.

16. ) The transmission assembly of claim 14 wherein said sensor comprises a position sensor.

17. ) The transmission assembly of claim 14 wherein a first of said two gear ratios equals about 6 and wherein a second of said two gear ratios equals about 1.8.

18. ) A method for transmitting torque emanating from at least one of two torque production sources to at least one wheel, said method comprising the steps of providing an assembly having a selectable gear ratio;

transmitting said torque to said assembly; and

communicating at least a portion of said torque from said assembly to said at least one wheel.

19. ) The method of claim 18 further comprising the steps of sensing a desired speed;

and modifying said gear ratio in response to said sensed desired speed.

20. ) The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of providing a neutral gear arrangement.