TORQUE TRANSFER CASE FOR A HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE
First Claim
1. A hybrid electric vehicle powertrain for an automotive vehicle comprising an engine, a front traction wheel and axle assembly, a rear traction wheel and axle assembly, a power transmission mechanism driveably connected to the engine and a torque transfer case with a transfer case torque input shaft connected to a transmission mechanism torque output shaft, the powertrain comprising:
- an electric motor;
a first transfer case torque output shaft connected driveably to a first traction wheel and axle assembly;
a second transfer case torque output shaft connected driveably to a second traction wheel and axle assembly;
the electric motor and the first transfer case torque output shaft being assembled on a common first axis;
a torque multiplier gearset;
a torque input element of the torque multiplier gearset being connected driveably to the motor;
the second transfer case torque output shaft being disposed on a second axis that is offset from the first axis; and
a torque cross-drive mechanism driveably connecting a torque output element of the torque multiplier gearset to the second transfer case torque output shaft.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A torque transfer case for a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain is disclosed. The transfer case receives torque from a power transmission mechanism and distributes driving torque to a primary traction wheel and axle assembly and to a secondary traction wheel and axle assembly wherein an electric motor power boost for each traction wheel and axle assembly is available as well as a regenerative braking power recover from either or both.
-
Citations
17 Claims
-
1. A hybrid electric vehicle powertrain for an automotive vehicle comprising an engine, a front traction wheel and axle assembly, a rear traction wheel and axle assembly, a power transmission mechanism driveably connected to the engine and a torque transfer case with a transfer case torque input shaft connected to a transmission mechanism torque output shaft, the powertrain comprising:
-
an electric motor;
a first transfer case torque output shaft connected driveably to a first traction wheel and axle assembly;
a second transfer case torque output shaft connected driveably to a second traction wheel and axle assembly;
the electric motor and the first transfer case torque output shaft being assembled on a common first axis;
a torque multiplier gearset;
a torque input element of the torque multiplier gearset being connected driveably to the motor;
the second transfer case torque output shaft being disposed on a second axis that is offset from the first axis; and
a torque cross-drive mechanism driveably connecting a torque output element of the torque multiplier gearset to the second transfer case torque output shaft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
3. A hybrid electric vehicle powertrain for an automotive vehicle comprising an engine, a front traction wheel and axle assembly, a rear traction wheel and axle assembly, a power transmission driveably connected to the engine and a torque transfer case with a transfer case torque input shaft connected to a transmission mechanism torque output shaft, the torque transfer case comprising:
-
an electric motor;
a first transfer case torque output shaft connected driveably to a first traction wheel and axle assembly;
a second transfer case torque output shaft being connected driveably to a second traction wheel and axle assembly;
the electric motor and the first transfer case torque input member being assembled on a common first axis;
a torque multiplier gearset;
a torque splitter differential gearset having a first torque output element connected to a torque output element of the torque multiplier gearset;
a selectively engageable range coupler clutch means for selectively connecting the transfer case torque input shaft to a torque splitter differential gearset torque input element and to a torque input element of the torque multiplier gearset;
a second torque output element of the torque splitter differential gearset being driveably connected to the first transfer case torque output shaft; and
a 4×
4 coupler clutch means for selectively locking together two torque transmitting elements of the torque splitter differential gearset during simultaneous power delivery to the first and second traction wheel and axle assemblies.
-
-
9. A hybrid electric vehicle powertrain for an automotive vehicle comprising an engine, a front traction wheel and axle assembly, a rear traction wheel and axle assembly, a power transmission mechanism driveably connected to the engine, and a torque transfer case with a transfer case torque input shaft connected to a transmission mechanism torque output shaft, the powertrain comprising:
-
an electric motor;
first and second transfer case torque output shafts connected driveably, respectively, to the front and the rear traction wheel and axle assemblies;
a torque multiplier gearset;
a torque splitter differential gearset, the torque multiplier gearset, the motor and the torque splitter differential gearset being mechanically coupled to define torque flow paths for electric and mechanical power delivery to the traction wheel and axle assemblies; and
a range coupler means for selectively connecting the transmission torque output shaft through the torque-splitter differential gearset to the first torque transfer case torque output shaft for power delivery to the first traction wheel and axle assembly and to the torque input element of the torque multiplier gearset for power delivery to the second traction wheel and axle assembly. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
-
-
15. A hybrid electric vehicle powertrain for an automotive vehicle comprising an engine and a torque transfer case with a transfer case torque input shaft connected drivably to the engine, the powertrain comprising:
-
an electric motor;
a first transfer case torque output shaft;
a second transfer case torque output shaft;
the electric motor and the first transfer case torque output shaft being assembled on a common axis;
a torque multiplier gearset;
a torque input element of the torque multiplier gearset being connected driveably to the motor; and
a torque cross-drive mechanism driveably connecting a torque output element of the torque multiplier gearset to the second transfer case torque output shaft. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
-
Specification