HYBRID AUTOMOTIVE POWERTRAIN WITH TORSIONAL VIBRATION DAMPER
First Claim
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1. A powertrain for a hybrid electric vehicle including an engine, an electric generator and an electric motor acting as a pair of power sources, the powertrain comprising:
- gear elements establishing power delivery from the power sources to vehicle traction wheels;
the gear elements drivably connecting independently each power source to the traction wheels through first and second geared power flow paths; and
a vibration damper assembly disposed between the motor and the gear elements, the damper assembly attenuating inertia torque fluctuation and torsional vibration as motor torque is delivered to the vehicle traction wheels.
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Abstract
A geared, power transmission mechanism for a hybrid electric vehicle wherein multiple power flow paths are established between an engine and vehicle traction wheels and between an electric motor and the vehicle traction wheels. A vibration damper assembly, including damper springs and motor inertia mass, is located at the torque output side of the electric motor, whereby inertia torsional vibrations are attenuated.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A powertrain for a hybrid electric vehicle including an engine, an electric generator and an electric motor acting as a pair of power sources, the powertrain comprising:
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gear elements establishing power delivery from the power sources to vehicle traction wheels;
the gear elements drivably connecting independently each power source to the traction wheels through first and second geared power flow paths; and
a vibration damper assembly disposed between the motor and the gear elements, the damper assembly attenuating inertia torque fluctuation and torsional vibration as motor torque is delivered to the vehicle traction wheels. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 11)
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5. A powertrain for a hybrid electric vehicle having an engine, an electric generator and an electric motor defining a pair of power sources, the powertrain comprising:
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a planetary gear unit with a first planetary element connected drivably to the generator and a second planetary element connected drivably to the engine whereby a first power flow path to vehicle traction wheels is established;
a geared connection between the motor and the vehicle traction wheels, the geared connection defining a second power flow path that is independent of the first power flow path while sharing at least one gear element;
a clutch and brake friction element sub-assembly selectively establishing each of two gear ratios in the planetary gear unit; and
a vibration damper assembly disposed between the motor and the geared connection between the motor and the vehicle traction wheels, the vibration damper assembly including damper springs and motor inertia mass. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. A powertrain for a hybrid electric vehicle having an engine, an electric generator and an electric motor, the powertrain comprising:
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a first planetary gear unit on an axis that is common to an engine axis, the engine being connected drivably to a torque input element of the first planetary gear unit;
a second planetary gear unit on a countershaft axis spaced from and parallel to both the engine axis and an electric motor axis, a torque output element of the second planetary gear element being connected drivably to vehicle traction wheels;
a torque input element of the second planetary gear unit being connected drivably to a torque output element of the first planetary gear unit;
a clutch and brake friction element sub-assembly establishing and disestablishing each of two gear ratios in the second gear unit whereby a ratio change occurs in a power flow path for the motor; and
a vibration damper assembly including damper springs and motor inertia mass disposed between the motor and the second planetary gear unit, whereby inertia torsional vibrations are attenuated.
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9. A powertrain for a hybrid electric vehicle having an engine, an electric generator, an electric motor and a planetary gear unit on an engine axis, the powertrain comprising:
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a driving connection between the engine and a first element of the planetary gear unit, the generator being connected drivably to a second element of the planetary gear unit;
countershaft gearing comprising two countershaft gear elements mounted on a countershaft axis spaced from and parallel to a motor axis and the engine axis;
countershaft clutch means for establishing and disestablishing each of two gear ratios in the countershaft gearing;
the countershaft clutch means selectively connecting each countershaft gear element to vehicle traction wheels;
the motor being drivably connected through the countershaft clutch means to the countershaft gears and a torque output element of the planetary gear unit being drivably connected to the countershaft gearing through the countershaft clutch means; and
a vibration damper assembly disposed between the motor and the countershaft gearing, whereby inertia torsional vibrations are attenuated.
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10. A powertrain for a hybrid electric vehicle having an engine, an electric generator, and an electric motor, the powertrain comprising:
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a planetary gear unit on an engine axis;
the engine being connected drivably to a first element of the planetary gear unit, the generator being connected drivably to a second element of the planetary gear unit;
countershaft gearing comprising at least two countershaft gear elements mounted on a countershaft axis spaced from and parallel to a motor axis and the engine axis;
countershaft clutches for selectively connecting each of the countershaft gear elements to vehicle traction wheels;
the motor being drivably connected through the countershaft clutches to the countershaft gears and a torque output element of the planetary gear unit being drivably connected to the countershaft gearing through the countershaft clutches; and
a vibration damper assembly including damper springs disposed between the motor and the second planetary gear unit, whereby inertia of the mass of the motor rotor and the damper springs attenuate torsional vibrations.
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12. A powertrain for a hybrid electric vehicle having an engine, an electric generator and an electric motor, the powertrain comprising:
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a first planetary gear unit on an axis that is common to an engine axis, the engine being connected drivably to a torque input element of the first planetary gear unit, the first planetary gear unit defining a first power flow path for the engine for driving the vehicle traction wheels;
a second planetary gear unit with a clutch and brake friction element sub-assembly for establishing and disestablishing each of two gear ratios in a second power flow path for the motor for driving the vehicle traction wheels; and
a vibration damper assembly, including damper springs and motor inertia mass, disposed between the motor and the second planetary gear unit, whereby inertia torsional vibrations are attenuated.
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Specification