Hybrid Electric Vehicle And Powertrain
First Claim
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.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A hybrid electric vehicle having a plurality of wheels, the vehicle comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A hybrid electric vehicle having a plurality of wheels, the vehicle comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A powertrain for a hybrid electric vehicle, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification