VARIABLE SPEED ACCESSORY DRIVE SYSTEM FOR A HYBRID VEHICLE

• US 20080051242A1
• Filed: 08/24/2006
• Published: 02/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Usoro, Patrick B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,582,034 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 475/5
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 25/02 directly from an engine shaft
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2200/2005 with one sets of orbital gears
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2200/2007 with two sets of orbital gears
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 3/724 using external powered electric machines

Abstract

The present invention provides an accessory drive system for a hybrid vehicle. The accessory drive system includes a planetary gear set having a first, second, and third planetary member. A torque transfer device operatively connects an engine with the first planetary member. A motor/generator is operatively connected to the second planetary member, and a plurality of accessories are operatively connected to the third planetary member. A one-way clutch is preferably operatively connected to either the first planetary member or the torque transfer device such that the accessories can be effectively driven by the motor/generator when the engine is off. Engine output is transferable through the planetary gear set to drive the accessories, and the speed at which the accessories are driven is selectable by controlling the speed of the motor/generator.

Claims

1. An accessory drive system for a hybrid vehicle comprising:

an engine;

an accessory operatively connected to the engine;

a planetary gear set disposed between the engine and the accessory;

a motor/generator operatively connected to the planetary gear set;

a selectively engageable torque transmitting device operatively connected to the planetary gear set, said selectively engageable torque transmitting device being configured to allow the accessory to be driven by the motor/generator when the engine is off;

wherein output from said engine is transferable through the planetary gear set to drive the accessories, and the speed at which the accessories are driven is selectable by controlling the speed of the motor/generator.

2. The accessory drive system of claim 1, wherein the selectively engageable torque transmitting device is a one-way clutch.

3. The accessory drive system of claim 1, wherein the selectively engageable torque transmitting device is a brake.

4. The accessory drive system of claim 1, further comprising a belt operatively connecting the motor/generator to the planetary gear set.

5. The accessory drive system of claim 1, further comprising a second planetary gear set operatively connected between the engine and the accessory.

6. An accessory drive system for a hybrid vehicle comprising:

a planetary gear set having a first, second, and third planetary member;

an engine operatively connected to the first planetary member;

a motor/generator operatively connected to the second planetary member;

a plurality of accessories operatively connected to the third planetary member; and

a selectively engageable torque transmitting device operatively connected to the planetary gear set, said selectively engageable torque transmitting device being configured to allow the plurality of accessories to be driven by the motor/generator when the engine is off;

wherein engine output is transferable through the planetary gear set to drive the plurality of accessories, and the speed at which the plurality of accessories are driven is selectable by controlling the speed of the motor/generator.

7. The accessory drive system of claim 6, wherein the first planetary member is a ring gear member, the second planetary member is a sun gear member, and the third planetary member is a planet carrier member.

8. The accessory drive system of claim 6, wherein the first planetary member is a sun gear member, the second planetary member is a planet carrier member, and the third planetary member is a ring gear member.

9. The accessory drive system of claim 6, wherein the first planetary member is a ring gear member, the second planetary member is a planet carrier member, and the third planetary member is a sun gear member.

10. The accessory drive system of claim 6, wherein the first planetary member is a planet carrier member, the second planetary member is a ring gear member, and the third planetary member is a sun gear member.

11. The accessory drive system of claim 6, wherein the first planetary member is a planet carrier member, the second planetary member is a sun gear member, and the third planetary member is a ring gear member.

12. The accessory drive system of claim 6, wherein the first planetary member is a sun gear member, the second planetary member is a ring gear member, and the third planetary member is a planet carrier member.

13. The accessory drive system of claim 6, further comprising a gear assembly operatively connecting the motor/generator to the second planetary member.

14. The accessory drive system of claim 6, further comprising a belt operatively connecting the motor/generator to the second planetary member.

15. The accessory drive system of claim 6, wherein one of the first, second, and third planetary members is a double-pinion carrier.

16. The accessory drive system of claim 6, wherein one of the first, second, and third planetary members is a single-pinion carrier.

18. The accessory drive system of claim 16, wherein the torque transfer apparatus includes a plurality of pulleys connected by a belt member.

19. The accessory drive system of claim 16, wherein the torque transfer apparatus includes a plurality of sprockets connected by a chain member.

20. The accessory drive system of claim 16, further comprising a chain operatively connecting the motor/generator to the second planetary member.

21. The accessory drive system of claim 16, wherein one of the first, second, and third planetary members is a double-pinion carrier.

22. The accessory drive system of claim 16, wherein one of the first, second, and third planetary members is a single-pinion carrier.

23. The accessory drive system of claim 16, wherein the selectively engageable torque transmitting device is a one-way clutch.

24. The accessory drive system of claim 16, wherein the selectively engageable torque transmitting device is a brake.

17. An accessory drive system for a hybrid vehicle comprising:

a planetary gear set having a first, second, and third planetary member;

a torque transfer apparatus operatively connecting an engine with the first planetary member;

a motor/generator operatively connected to the second planetary member;

a plurality of accessories operatively connected to the third planetary member; and

a selectively engageable torque transmitting device operatively connected to one of said first planetary member and said torque transfer apparatus, said selectively engageable torque transmitting device being configured to allow the plurality of accessories to be driven by the motor/generator when the engine is off;

wherein engine output is transferable through the planetary gear set to drive the plurality of accessories, and the speed at which the plurality of accessories are driven is selectable by controlling the speed of the motor/generator.