Auxillary Electric Drive System and Vehicle Using Same

• US 20120090911A1
• Filed: 09/30/2011
• Published: 04/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Evaos, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Evaos, Inc.
• Inventors: Matheson, Donald R.
• Granted Patent: US 10,479,184 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/292
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49716 Converting

Abstract

An electric drive system adapted to utilize an existing vehicle with a combustion engine and to add an electric drive capability. Components of the system may be implemented rearward of the vehicle engine and transmission along the drivetrain. In some aspects, the system allows for combustions engine, electric motor, or combination powering of the vehicle. In some aspects, the vehicle'"'"'s original secondary systems, such as air conditioning, and power steering, are able to be used in the electric motor only drive mode.

Claims

1. A vehicle system comprising:

an internal combustion engine;

a transmission, said transmission coupled to said internal combustion engine on a first end and a front drive train portion on a second end;

a front drive train portion;

a rear drive train portion; and

an electric drive assembly, said electric drive assembly mounted in line between said second end of said transmission and the drive wheels of said vehicle, said electric drive assembly coupled to said front drive portion on a first end and coupled to said rear drive train portion on a second end.

2. The vehicle system of claim 1 wherein electric drive assembly is adapted to receive input torque from said transmission and to deliver output torque to said drive wheels of said vehicle.

3. The vehicle system of claim 2 wherein said electric drive assembly comprises a motor mounted to the frame of the vehicle.

4. The vehicle system of claim 3 wherein said motor is in line with the torque transmission portion of the vehicle'"'"'s internal combustion engine.

5. The vehicle system of claim 1 wherein said front drive train portion comprises:

a first end coupled to said transmission;

a second end coupled to said first end of said electric drive assembly; and

a disconnect adapted to couple and decouple torque from said first end of said front drive train portion to said second end of said front drive portion.

6. The vehicle system of claim 5 wherein said rear drive train portion comprises:

a first end coupled to said transmission;

a second end coupled to a vehicle differential; and

a disconnect adapted to couple and decouple torque from said first end of said rear drive train portion to said second end of said rear drive portion.

7. The vehicle system of claim 6 further comprising a belt drive system, said belt drive system adapted to decouple the accessory drive belts of the internal combustion engine from the drive shaft of the internal combustion engine.

8. The vehicle system of claim 4 wherein said electric motor comprises a single first shaft, wherein said first shaft extends out of the motor housing on two ends, wherein said motor is adapted to be mounted in line in a torque delivery system.

9. The vehicle system of claim 7 wherein said electric motor comprises a single first shaft, wherein said first shaft extends out of the motor housing on two ends, wherein said motor is adapted to be mounted in line in a torque delivery system.

10. A method for the retrofitting of a motor vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:

removing the vehicle driveshaft;

mounting an electric motor to the underside of the vehicle, said electric motor having an input shaft and an output shaft, said input shaft and said output shaft being co-axial;

installing a front drive shaft between the transmission of the vehicle and the input shaft of the electric motor; and

installing a rear drive shaft between the output shaft of the vehicle and the differential of the vehicle.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising the steps of:

installing a front disconnect between the transmission of said vehicle and said electric motor; and

installing a rear disconnect between the electric motor and the vehicle differential.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the steps of:

installing an electric belt drive motor adapted to drive the accessory belts of said vehicle; and

installing a clutched mechanism adapted to allow use of either the crankshaft pulley or the belt drive motor for driving said accessory belts.

13. A method for the operation of a vehicle with an electric motor and an internal combustion engine, said method comprising the steps of:

selecting whether to drive the vehicle with the aid of the electric motor;

selecting whether to drive the vehicle with the aid of the internal combustion motor;

selecting whether to engage a front disconnect, said front disconnect residing between the transmission of the vehicle and the electric motor; and

selecting whether to engage a rear disconnect, said rear disconnect residing between said electric motor and the differential of the vehicle.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said electric motor comprises an input shaft coupled to the transmission and an output shaft coupled to the differential.