SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROL OF TRANSMISSION AND/OR PRIME MOVER
First Claim
1. A drive system comprising:
- a continuously variable transmission (CVT) housed in a wheel hub;
a drive motor operably coupled to the CVT and configured to provide power to the CVT; and
an actuator motor coupled to the CVT and configured to adjust a transmission speed ratio of the CVT.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed here are inventive systems and methods for a powertrain of an electric vehicle (EV). In some embodiments, said powertrain includes a continuously variable transmission (CVT) coupled to an electric drive motor, wherein a control system is configured to control the CVT and/or the drive motor to optimize various efficiencies associated with the EV and/or its subsystems. In one specific embodiment, the control system is configured to operate the EV in an economy mode. Operating in said mode, the control system simultaneously manages the CVT and the drive motor to optimize the range of the EV. The control system can be configured to manage the current provided to the drive motor, as well as adjust a transmission speed ratio of the CVT. Other modes of operation are also disclosed. The control system can be configured to manage the power to the drive motor and adjust the transmission speed ratio of the CVT taking into account battery voltage, throttle position, and transmission speed ratio, for example.
98 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A drive system comprising:
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a continuously variable transmission (CVT) housed in a wheel hub; a drive motor operably coupled to the CVT and configured to provide power to the CVT; and an actuator motor coupled to the CVT and configured to adjust a transmission speed ratio of the CVT. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A control system for a drivetrain having a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and a drive motor, the control system comprising:
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a controller having a microcontroller, a random access memory, and a flash memory; a power control module configured to be in electrical communication with a power source and the controller, the power control module adapted to regulate a voltage; a communication interface operably coupled to the power control module and the controller, the communication interface configured to connect to an external programming or data acquisition hardware; a main drive module configured to communicate with the controller, the main drive module further configured to modulate electrical power provided to the drive motor; and an actuator control module configured to communicate with the controller, the actuator control module operably coupled to the CVT. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. A control system for a drivetrain having a continuously variable transmission (CVT), an actuator motor, and a drive motor, the control system comprising:
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a transmission controller module configured to communicate with the actuator motor; a drive motor controller module configured to communicate with the transmission controller module and the drive motor; a throttle position sensor configured to communicate with the transmission controller; a brake cut-off switch configured to communicate with the drive motor controller; a wheel speed sensor configured to communicate with the transmission controller; and an actuator position sensor configured to communicate with the transmission controller. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for manufacturing a drive system comprising:
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providing a continuously variable transmission (CVT) having a plurality of tiltable spherical planets arranged radially about a longitudinal axis of the transmission; providing a control system coupled to the CVT, the control system comprising a mechanical actuator coupled to the CVT, a controller configured to be in electrical communication with the mechanical actuator, the controller configured to control the mechanical actuator, a data display configured to be in electrical communication with the controller, the data display having at least one button for selecting from a plurality of operating modes, a plurality of sensors coupled to the controller, and a shifter interface coupled to the mechanical actuator, the shifter interface configured to adjust the plurality of tiltable spherical planets; and enclosing the CVT in a housing integrated into a wheel of an electric vehicle, the housing adapted to cooperate with the mechanical actuator, the mechanical actuator configured to adjust an angle of the tiltable spherical planets based at least in part on one of the plurality of operating modes and on an indication of transmission speed ratio of the CVT. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification