Transmission Assembly for Electric Vehicle

• US 20100160110A1
• Filed: 12/14/2009
• Published: 06/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: National Pingtung University of Science and Technology
• Original Assignee: National Pingtung University of Science and Technology
• Inventors: Chen, Li-Wen, Tseng, Chyuan-Yow, Lin, Chiu-Feng
• Granted Patent: US 8,328,683 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 477/20
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/16 Ratio selector position
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2061/0422 by an electric machine, e.g. by accelerating or braking the input shaft
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2061/2853 Electromagnetic solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/044 consisting of electrical switches or sensors range selectors with electric switches or sensors F16H59/105
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/0403 Synchronisation before shifting
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/32 Electric motors actuators or related electrical control means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/34 comprising two mechanisms, one for the preselection movement, and one for the shifting movement F16H61/36 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20049 Transmission controlled by flexible cable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20165 Spherical mount [e.g., ball and socket]

Abstract

A transmission assembly for an electric vehicle includes a transmission having an input shaft, an output shaft, and a gear train coupled between the input shaft and the output shaft. A motor includes an output coupled to the input shaft of the transmission. A motor controller is electrically connected to the motor and controls a rotating speed of the motor. A gear controller is electrically connected to the motor controller. The gear controller outputs a speed request signal to the motor controller, and the motor controller controls the rotating speed of the motor based on the speed request signal, allowing smooth engagement between the gear train and the output shaft.

Claims

1. A transmission assembly for an electric vehicle comprising:

a transmission including an input shaft, an output shaft, and a gear train coupled between the input shaft and the output shaft;

a motor including an output coupled to the input shaft of the transmission;

a motor controller electrically connected to the motor, with the motor controller controlling a rotating speed of the motor; and

a gear controller electrically connected to the motor controller, with the gear controller outputting a speed request signal to the motor controller, and with the motor controller controlling the rotating speed of the motor based on the speed request signal to synchronize rotating speeds of the input shaft and the output shaft of the transmission.

2. The transmission assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a first speed sensor mounted on the input shaft and electrically connected to the gear controller; and

a second speed sensor mounted on the output shaft and electrically connected to the gear controller.

3. The transmission assembly as claimed in claim 1, with the gear train including a plurality of synchronizers to make the rotating speed of the gear train the same as that of the output shaft.

4. The transmission assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a gearshift assembly having a gear shift rod, a pivotable arm with a first end coupling with the gear shift rod and a second end, a first sensor connecting to a bottom end of the gear shift rod, and a second sensor coupling with the second end of the pivotable arm, wherein the gear controller comprises a first driving module electrically connecting with the first sensor, a second driving module electrically connecting with the second sensor, a shifting unit mechanically coupling to the gear train of the transmission, a first linking rope linking the first driving module and the shifting unit, and a second linking rope linking the second driving module and the shifting unit.

5. The transmission assembly as claimed in claim 4, with the gear shift rod having a ball pivot received in a case to be able to execute a seesaw movement about the ball pivot, and the first end of the pivotable arm connecting to the ball pivot.

6. The transmission assembly as claimed in claim 5, with the pivotable arm being an L-shaped bar having a pivotal section and the pivotal section rotatably coupling with the case.

7. The transmission assembly as claimed in claim 4, further comprising:

a cover with a groove for the gear shift rod to slide along.

8. The transmission assembly as claimed in claim 7, with the groove including routes extending along two unparallel axes.

9. The transmission assembly as claimed in claim 4, with the first sensor having a coupling end connecting to the bottom end of the gear shift rod, an adjustable resister able to adjust resistance according to the motion of the bottom end, and a terminal electrically connecting with the adjustable resister.

10. The transmission assembly as claimed in claim 4, with the second sensor having a coupling end coupling with the second end of the pivotable arm, an adjustable resister able to adjust resistance according to the motion of the bottom end, and a terminal electrically connecting with the adjustable resister.

11. The transmission assembly as claimed in claim 4, with the first driving module having two control members with an interval therebetween and an actuated member with an end extending into the interval and another end coupling with the first linking rope.

12. The transmission assembly as claimed in claim 11, with each control member being an electromagnet and the actuated member being made of permeability material.

13. The transmission assembly as claimed in claim 4, with the second driving module having two control members with an interval therebetween and an actuated member with an end extending into the interval and another end coupling with the second linking rope.

14. The transmission assembly as claimed in claim 13, with each control member being an electromagnet and the actuated member being made of permeability material.