Hybrid Electric Vehicle And Powertrain

• US 20100139998A1
• Filed: 02/09/2010
• Published: 06/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Schondorf, Steven
• Granted Patent: US 7,892,128 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/65.220
• 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: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/61 by batteries charged by engine-driven generators, e.g. series hybrid electric vehicles
• 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 2200/2005 with one sets of orbital gears
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2200/2097 comprising an orbital gear set member permanently connected to the housing, e.g. a sun wheel permanently connected to the housing
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 3/727 with at least two dynamo electric machines for creating an electric power path inside the gearing, e.g. using generator and motor for a variable power torque path special adapted for a hybrid electric vehicle B60K6/20
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• 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

A hybrid electric vehicle and powertrain includes an engine and an electric machine connected to each other in a power-split arrangement. The electric machine is operable as a motor or a generator, and is offset from the engine, thereby reducing the overall length of the powertrain. A power transfer arrangement includes a planetary gear set in which the carrier is directly connected to an output shaft of the engine. The electric machine is connected to the planetary gear set through an intermediate gear, thereby facilitating the offset of the electric machine and the engine and facilitating an easy change of gear ratio for the motor/generator.

Claims

1. A hybrid electric vehicle having a plurality of wheels, the vehicle comprising:

an engine operable to output mechanical power and including an engine output shaft defining a first axis;

a first electric machine including an output shaft defining a second axis that is not coincident with the first axis, the first electric machine being operable as a motor to output mechanical power, and operable as a generator configured to receive mechanical power from the engine and to output electrical power;

a power transfer arrangement cooperating with the engine and the first electric machine to provide power flow paths between the engine and at least one of the vehicle wheels, and between the engine and the first electric machine, the power transfer arrangement including a planetary gear set having a plurality of members, including a sun gear, a plurality of planet gears, a carrier connecting the planet gears to each other, and a ring gear, one of the members of the planetary gear set providing an output member for the planetary gear set, the engine output shaft being directly connected to one of the members of the planetary gear set such that the mechanical power output from the engine is split between the first electric machine and the output member of the planetary gear set; and

a second electric machine defining a motor axis and having an output connected to one of the members of the planetary gear set such that the motor axis is coincident with the first axis.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the ring gear provides the output member for the planetary gear set, and the vehicle further comprises a planetary gear reduction arrangement connected to the output of the second electric machine and the ring gear, thereby increasing the torque transferred from the second electric machine to the ring gear.

3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the planetary gear reduction arrangement includes a plurality of pinion gears and a grounded carrier connecting the pinion gears to each other.

4. The vehicle of claim 3, further comprising:

a first mounted gear attached to the output shaft of the first electric machine;

a first input shaft connected to one of the members of the planetary gear set to provide an input member to the planetary gear set for the first electric machine; and

a first intermediate gear attached to the first input shaft and intermeshing with the first mounted gear to provide a power flow path between the output shaft of the first electric machine and the input member of the planetary gear set.

5. The vehicle of claim 4, further comprising:

a differential operatively connected to the at least one vehicle wheel and having an input shaft;

a second mounted gear attached to the input shaft of the differential; and

a first idler gear intermeshing with the second mounted gear and the output member of the planetary gear set to provide a power transfer path between the output member of the planetary gear set and the at least one vehicle wheel.

6. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein the input shaft of the differential defines an axis that is not coincident with the first axis.

7. A hybrid electric vehicle having a plurality of wheels, the vehicle comprising:

an engine operable to output mechanical power and including an engine output shaft defining a first axis;

a first electric machine including an output shaft defining a second axis that is not coincident with the first axis, the first electric machine being operable as a motor to output mechanical power, and operable as a generator configured to receive mechanical power from the engine and to output electrical power;

a power transfer arrangement cooperating with the engine and the first electric machine to provide power flow paths between the engine and at least one of the vehicle wheels, and between the engine and the first electric machine, the power transfer arrangement including a planetary gear set having a plurality of members, including a sun gear, a plurality of planet gears, a carrier connecting the planet gears to each other, and a ring gear, one of the members of the planetary gear set providing an output member for the planetary gear set, the engine output shaft being directly connected to one of the members of the planetary gear set such that the mechanical power output from the engine is split between the first electric machine and the output member of the planetary gear set; and

a second electric machine defining a motor axis and having an output connected to the output of the planetary gear set without an intermediate connection to any other member of the planetary gear set.

8. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the second electric machine is disposed relative to the engine such that the motor axis is coincident with the first axis.

9. The vehicle of claim 7, further comprising:

a first mounted gear attached to the output shaft of the first electric machine;

a first input shaft connected to one of the members of the planetary gear set to provide an input member to the planetary gear set for the first electric machine; and

a first intermediate gear attached to the first input shaft and intermeshing with the first mounted gear to provide a power flow path between the output shaft of the first electric machine and the input member of the planetary gear set.

10. The vehicle of claim 9, further comprising:

a differential operatively connected to the at least one vehicle wheel and having an input shaft;

a second mounted gear attached to the input shaft of the differential; and

a first idler gear intermeshing with the second mounted gear and the output of the planetary gear set to provide a power transfer path between the output member of the planetary gear set and the at least one vehicle wheel.

11. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the output shaft of the second electric machine defines a third axis, and the input shaft to the differential defines a fourth axis that is not coincident with the third axis.

12. A powertrain for a hybrid electric vehicle, comprising:

an engine operable to output mechanical power to drive the vehicle and including an engine output shaft defining a first axis;

a first electric machine operable as a motor to output mechanical power and including an output shaft defining a second axis that is not coincident with the first axis, the first electric machine being further operable as a generator configured to receive mechanical power from the engine and to output electrical power;

a power transfer arrangement cooperating with the engine and the first electric machine to provide at least one power flow path, including a power flow path between the engine and the first electric machine, the power transfer arrangement including a planetary gear set having a plurality of members, including a sun gear, a plurality of planet gears, a carrier connecting the planet gears to each other, and a ring gear, one of the members of the planetary gear set providing an output member for the planetary gear set, the first electric machine being connected to one of the sun gear or the ring gear, and the engine output shaft being directly connected to the carrier, thereby facilitating a transfer of at least a portion of the power output from the engine to the first electric machine; and

a second electric machine defining a motor axis and having an output connected to the output of the planetary gear set without an intermediate connection to any other member of the planetary gear set.

13. The powertrain of claim 12, wherein the second electric machine is disposed relative to the engine such that the motor axis is coincident with the first axis.

14. The powertrain of claim 13, further comprising a planetary gear reduction arrangement connected to the output of the second electric machine and the output of the planetary gear set, thereby increasing the torque transferred from the second electric machine to the planetary gear set.

15. The powertrain of claim 14, wherein the planetary gear reduction arrangement includes a plurality of pinion gears and a grounded carrier connecting the pinion gears to each other.

16. The powertrain of claim 13, further comprising:

a first mounted gear attached to the output shaft of the first electric machine;

a first input shaft connected to one of the sun gear or ring gear to provide an input member to the planetary gear set for the first electric machine; and

a first intermediate gear attached to the first input shaft and intermeshing with the first mounted gear to provide a power flow path between the output shaft of the first electric machine and the input member of the planetary gear set.

17. The powertrain of claim 16, the vehicle including a plurality of wheels, the powertrain further comprising:

a differential having an output operatively connected to two of the vehicle wheels and having an input shaft;

a second mounted gear attached to the input shaft of the differential; and

a first idler gear intermeshing with the second mounted gear and the output of the planetary gear set to provide a power transfer path between the output member of the planetary gear set and the differential.

18. The powertrain of claim 17, wherein the output shaft of the second electric machine defines a third axis, and the input shaft to the differential defines a fourth axis that is not coincident with the third axis.