Vehicle power transmission apparatus having an engine starting function

• US 5,117,931 A
• Filed: 01/24/1991
• Issued: 06/02/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Inventors: Nishida, Minoru
• Primary Examiner(s): Kashnikow, Andres
• Assistant Examiner(s): MAR, MICHAEL Y
• Application Number:
  US07/645,532
• Time in Patent Office: 495 Days
• Field of Search: 123/179 D, 290/31, 290/32, 290/47, 290/38 R, 290/46, 180/65.1, 180/65.2, 180/65.3, 322/10, 322/11, 322/12
• US Class Current: 180/65.25
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/02 comprising more than one electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/043 Transmission unit disposed in on near the vehicle wheel, or between the differential gear unit and the wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2006/268 Electric drive motor starts the engine, i.e. used as starter motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2007/0061 the motor axle being parallel to the wheel axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/365 with the gears having orbital motion
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 7/0007 the motor being electric
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/46 Wheel motors, i.e. motor connected to only one wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/421 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/423 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/486 Operating parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/10 including control of change-speed gearings
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/00 Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles hybrid vehicle design, B60K6/00; electric vehicles B60L
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/30 Control strategies involving selection of transmission gear ratio control of change speed gearings, together with other vehicle sub-units B60W10/10; HEV transmission gearing B60K6/36; gearings and control thereof F16H
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/081 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/104 Output speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/06 Ignition switch
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/10 Accelerator pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/083 : Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18027 : Drive off, accelerating from standstill
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 3/724 : using external powered electric machines
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/40 : Output shaft speed
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 : Engine management systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 : Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 : Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/903 : having energy storing means, e.g. battery, capacitor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/91 : Orbital, e.g. planetary gears
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/917 : with transmission for changing gear ratio
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/945 : Characterized by control of gearing, e.g. control of transmission ratio

Abstract

A vehicle power transmission apparatus having an engine starting function is provided which is small in size and has a high degree of freedom and accuracy in controlling torque transmission. The apparatus comprises torque transmitting means including a differential gear mechanism and having at least three (first through third) rotation shafts; an engine operatively connected with the first rotation shaft of the torque transmitting means; a transmission connected with the second rotation shaft for transmitting torque to a drive shaft of the vehicle; an electric motor connected with the third shaft of the torque transmitting means; a power transducer for controlling the electric motor; an electric power source for supplying power to the electric motor through the power transducer; and a controller for controlling the power transducer in such a manner that the electric motor operates as a power source or a load in dependence upon the operating condition of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle power transmission apparatus having a starter function comprising:

torque transmitting means including a differential gear mechanism and having at least a first, a second and a third rotation shaft;

an engine operatively connected with said first rotation shaft of said torque transmitting means;

a transmission connected with said second rotation shaft for transmitting torque to a drive shaft of a vehicle;

an electric motor connected with said third shaft of said torque transmitting means;

a power transducer for converting said electric motor from operating as a power source to operating as a generator;

a controller for controlling said power transducer in such a manner that said electric motor operates as a power source for starting said engine or as a generator for applying a variable load to said engine through said differential so as to variably control the torque applied by said engine to said drive shaft; and

,

an electric power source for supplying power to said electric motor through said power transducer.

2. A vehicle power transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said controller controls said power transducer so as to operate said electric motor as a power source for starting said engine when said second rotation shaft of said transmitting means is locked against rotation and when said engine is being started.

3. A vehicle power transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said transmission has a plurality of operational positions, and wherein said controller controls said power transducer in such a manner that the torque of said electric motor varies in synchronization with a change in the operational position of said transmission to perform an on-off control on the transmission of torque from said engine to said transmission.

4. A vehicle power transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said torque is transmitted from said engine to said transmission through said differential.