Hybrid Drive Chain and Hybrid Vehicle Equipped with Same

• US 20080185195A1
• Filed: 03/27/2006
• Published: 08/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Noiret, Christian
• Granted Patent: US 7,694,761 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/65.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2006/4808 Electric machine connected or connectable to gearbox output shaft
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/26 characterised by the motors or the generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/40 characterised by the assembly or relative disposition of components
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/50 Structural details of electrical machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/486 Operating parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/13 using AC generators and AC motors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors

Abstract

The invention concerns a hybrid drive chain of a vehicle (1) comprising a heat engine (2) connected to a mechanical assembly (4) including a gearbox (5) coupled with a differential (6) itself coupled with the driven wheels (7G, 7D) of the vehicle (1) by their respective axle shafts (8G, 8D), and at least one electrical machine (3) including a stator (10) and a rotor (11), cooperating with the heat engine (2) via the mechanical assembly to provide heat and/or hybrid traction to the driven wheels (7G, 7D). The invention is characterized in that the electrical machine (3) is arranged between the differential (6) and one of the driven wheels (7D), by surrounding the axle shaft (8D) connecting the driven wheel (7D) to the differential (6).

Claims

1. Hybrid traction drive for a vehicle with a heat engine coupled to a mechanical assembly having a gearbox coupled to a differential, which is itself coupled to the driven wheels of the vehicle by their respective transmission shafts, and at least one electrical machine having a stator and a rotor, cooperating with the heat engine via the mechanical assembly in order to provide combustion and/or electrical drive to the driven wheels, the electrical machine being positioned between the differential and one of the driven wheels, surrounding the transmission shaft connecting the driven wheel to the differential, wherein the electrical machine is housed inside a body distinct from the mechanical assembly.

2. Hybrid traction drive according to claim 1, wherein the rotor of the electrical machine is integrally mounted on a hollow shaft surrounding the transmission shaft whose end facing the differential is arranged to be mechanically coupled to the differential.

3. Hybrid traction drive according to claim 2, wherein the rotor is mechanically coupled directly to the differential.

4. Hybrid traction drive according to claim 3, wherein the differential has a section of hollow shaft provided with splines that mesh with the end of the hollow shaft of the electrical machine, the hollow shaft having splines that fit together with those on the section of hollow shaft.

5. Hybrid traction drive according to claim 2, wherein the rotor of the electrical machine is mechanically coupled to the differential via a speed reduction means located between the electrical machine and the differential.

6. Hybrid traction drive according to claim 5, wherein the speed reduction means has a planetary gear train installed between the rotor of the electrical machine and the ring gear of the differential, the end of the rotor forming the sun gear of the planetary gear train and the ring gear of the differential forming the ring gear of the planetary gear train.

7. Hybrid traction drive according to claim 1, wherein the output of the differential, which rotatably receives and supports a first end of the transmission shaft, is rotatably supported inside the rotor.

8. Hybrid traction drive according to claim 5, wherein the speed reduction means is a pinion reducer.

9. Hybrid traction drive according to claim 8, wherein the pinion reducer has first and second pinions of different diameters, the first and second pinions being rotatably connected to and meshing with the ring gear of the differential and a gear wheel attached to the rotor, respectively.

10. Hybrid traction drive according to claim 9, wherein the first pinion is located in a housing attached onto the mechanical assembly containing the differential, and in that the second pinion is located in the body that encloses the electrical machine, with both pinions being rotatably coupled to a drive shaft.

11. Hybrid traction drive according to claim 10, wherein the electrical machine is hollow, and is sealed by arranging an internal partition encapsulating the rotor.

12. Hybrid traction drive according to claim 1, wherein the end of the body containing the electrical machine opposite from the differential has bearing forming means for the second the end of the transmission shaft.

13. Hybrid traction drive according to claim 12, wherein the bearing forming means supports the heat engine torque rod.

14. Hybrid vehicle equipped with a hybrid traction drive according to claim 1.