HIGHLY CONFIGURABLE HYBRID POWERTRAIN AND CONTROL SYSTEM THEREFOR

• US 20080125265A1
• Filed: 11/15/2007
• Published: 05/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Tate, Edward D., Conlon, Brendan M., Holmes, Alan G., Rask, Eric M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,967,711 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 6/40 characterised by the assembly or relative disposition of components
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/445 Differential gearing distribution type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/46 Series type
• 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 10/26 for electrical energy, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• 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 20/30 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: F16H 2037/0866 Power split variators with distributing differentials, with the output of the CVT connected or connectable to the output shaft
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2037/104 Power split variators with one end of the CVT connected or connectable to two or more differentials
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2200/2007 with two sets of orbital gears
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2200/2043 with five engaging means
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 3/728 with means to change ratio in the mechanical gearing
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles

Abstract

A hybrid powertrain system for a vehicle includes an engine and a transmission. The transmission includes a transmission input member, first and second electric machines, first and second planetary gear sets, and a plurality of selectively engageable torque transfer devices enabling configuring the powertrain in variously to operate in electric drive, electrically variable, fixed gear and neutral charging operating states.

Claims

1. A powertrain system for a vehicle, comprising:

an engine; and

a transmission including

a transmission input member,

first and second electric machines,

a first planetary gear set including respective first, second and third gear members,

a transmission case,

a first selectively engageable torque transfer device between said first gear member of said first planetary gear set and said transmission case,

a second selectively engageable torque transfer device between said first gear member of said first planetary gear set and said first electric machine,

a third selectively engageable torque transfer device operable when engaged to connect said first electric motor and said transmission input member,

a transmission output member connected to said second gear member of said first planetary gear set, and

said second electric machine connected to said third gear member of said first planetary gear set.

2. A powertrain system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a control system for establishing powertrain operating states including

an electric vehicle operating state comprising one of a) said first selectively engageable torque transfer device engaged, said second and third selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged, and said second electric machine providing torque, and b) said second selectively engageable torque transfer device engaged, and said first and third selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged,

an electrically variable operating state comprising said first selectively engageable torque transfer device disengaged, and said second and third selectively engageable torque transfer devices engaged,

an electric vehicle with electric charging operating state comprising said first and third selectively engageable torque transfer devices engaged, and said second selectively engageable torque transfer device disengaged, and

a charging operating state comprising said third selectively engageable torque transfer device engaged, and said first and second selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged.

3. The powertrain system of claim 2, wherein the control system for establishing powertrain operating states establishes said powertrain operating states to effect a powertrain operating strategy comprising one of a charge depletion strategy, a charge sustaining strategy, and an electric vehicle range maximization strategy.

4. The powertrain system of claim 3, wherein the charge depletion strategy is effected by one of the electric vehicle operating state, the electrically variable operating state, the electric vehicle with charging operating state and combinations thereof.

5. The powertrain system of claim 3, wherein the charge sustaining strategy is effected by one of the electric vehicle operating state, the electrically variable operating state, the electric vehicle with charging operating state and combinations thereof.

6. The powertrain system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said third selectively engageable torque transfer device is between said first electric motor and said transmission input member.

7. The powertrain system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said transmission includes a second planetary gear set including respective first, second and third gear members;

said transmission input member connected to said first gear member of said second planetary gear set;

said second gear member of said second planetary gear set connected to said first electric machine; and

said third selectively engageable torque transfer device between said third planetary gear set member and said transmission input member.

8. The powertrain system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 7, wherein:

said transmission includes a fourth selectively engageable torque transfer device between said transmission input member and said transmission case.

9. The powertrain system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 7, wherein:

said transmission includes a fourth selectively engageable torque transfer device between said transmission input member and said engine.

10. The powertrain system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 7, wherein:

said transmission includes a fourth selectively engageable torque transfer device between said second electric machine and said transmission case.

11. The powertrain system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 9, wherein:

said transmission includes a fifth selectively engageable torque transfer device between said second electric machine and said transmission case.

12. The powertrain system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 8, wherein:

said transmission includes a fifth selectively engageable torque transfer device between said second electric machine and said transmission case.

13. The powertrain system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 9, wherein:

said transmission includes a fifth selectively engageable torque transfer device between said second electric motor and said transmission case.

14. A powertrain system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 7, further comprising:

a control system for establishing powertrain operating states including

an electric vehicle operating state comprising one of a) said first selectively engageable torque transfer device engaged, and said second and third selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged, and b) said second selectively engageable torque transfer device engaged, and said first and third selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged,

an electrically variable transmission operating state comprising one of a) said first selectively engageable torque transfer device engaged, and said second and third selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged, and b) said second selectively engageable torque transfer device engaged, and said first and third selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged, and

a fixed gear operating state comprising one of a) said first and third selectively engageable torque transfer devices engaged, and said second torque transfer device disengaged, b) said first and second selectively engageable torque transfer devices engaged, and said third selectively engageable torque transfer device disengaged, and c) said second and third selectively engageable torque transfer devices engaged, and said first selectively engageable torque transfer device disengaged.

15. A powertrain system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 8, further comprising:

a control system for establishing powertrain operating states including

an electric vehicle operating state comprising said fourth selectively engageable torque transfer device engaged and one of a) said first selectively engageable torque transfer device engaged, and said second and third selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged, and b) said second selectively engageable torque transfer device engaged, and said first and third selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged,

an electrically variable transmission operating state comprising one of a) said first selectively engageable torque transfer device engaged, and said second and third selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged, and b) said second selectively engageable torque transfer device engaged, and said first and third selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged, and

a fixed gear operating state comprising one of a) said first and third selectively engageable torque transfer devices engaged, and said second torque transfer device disengaged, b) said first and second selectively engageable torque transfer devices engaged, and said third selectively engageable torque transfer device disengaged, and c) said second and third selectively engageable torque transfer devices engaged, and said first selectively engageable torque transfer device disengaged.

16. A powertrain system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 10, further comprising:

a control system for establishing powertrain operating states including

an electric vehicle operating state comprising one of a) said first selectively engageable torque transfer device engaged, and said second and third selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged, and b) said second selectively engageable torque transfer device engaged, and said first and third selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged,

an electrically variable transmission operating state comprising one of a) said first selectively engageable torque transfer device engaged, and said second and third selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged, and b) said second selectively engageable torque transfer device engaged, and said first and third selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged, and

a fixed gear operating state comprising one of a) said first and third selectively engageable torque transfer devices engaged, and said second and fourth selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged, b) said first and second selectively engageable torque transfer devices engaged, and said third and fourth selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged, c) said second and third selectively engageable torque transfer devices engaged, and said first and fourth selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged, and d) said second and fourth selectively engageable torque transfer devices engaged, and said first and third selectively engageable torque transfer device disengaged.

17. A powertrain system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 9, further comprising:

a control system for establishing powertrain operating states including

an electric vehicle operating state comprising one of said a) said first and fourth selectively engageable torque transfer devices engaged, and said second and third selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged, b) said second and fourth selectively engageable torque transfer devices engaged, and said first and third selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged, c) said first and third selectively engageable torque transfer devices engaged, and said second and fourth selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged, and d) said second and third selectively engageable torque transfer devices engaged, and said first and fourth selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged,

an electrically variable transmission operating state comprising one of a) said first and fourth selectively engageable torque transfer devices engaged, and said second and third selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged, and b) said second and fourth selectively engageable torque transfer devices engaged, and said first and third selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged, and

a fixed gear operating state comprising one of a) said first, third, and fourth selectively engageable torque transfer devices engaged, and said second selectively engageable torque transfer device disengaged, b) said first, second, and fourth selectively engageable torque transfer devices engaged, and said third selectively engageable torque transfer device disengaged, and c) said second, third, and fourth selectively engageable torque transfer devices engaged, and said first selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged.

18. A powertrain system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 11, further comprising:

a control system for establishing powertrain operating states including

an electric vehicle operating state comprising one of said a) said first and fourth selectively engageable torque transfer devices engaged, and said second, third, and fifth selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged, b) said second and fourth selectively engageable torque transfer devices engaged, and said first, third, and fifth selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged, c) said first and third selectively engageable torque transfer devices engaged, and said second, fourth, and fifth selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged, and d) said second and third selectively engageable torque transfer devices engaged, and said first, fourth, and fifth selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged,

an electrically variable transmission operating state comprising one of a) said first and fourth selectively engageable torque transfer devices engaged, and said second, third, and fifth selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged, and b) said second and fourth selectively engageable torque transfer devices engaged, and said first, third, and fifth selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged, and

a fixed gear operating state comprising one of a) said first, third, and fourth selectively engageable torque transfer devices engaged, and said second and fifth selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged, b) said first, second, and fourth selectively engageable torque transfer devices engaged, and said third and fifth selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged, c) said second, third, and fourth selectively engageable torque transfer devices engaged, and said first and fifth selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged, and d) said second, fourth, and fifth selectively engageable torque transfer devices engaged, and said first and third selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged.