Electrically biased starting reaction device for a power transmission

• US 5,258,651 A
• Filed: 04/17/1992
• Issued: 11/02/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Sherman, James F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellinen, A. D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hoover, Robert Lloyd
• Application Number:
  US07/870,381
• Time in Patent Office: 564 Days
• Field of Search: 180/65.2, 180/65.4, 290/20, 290/23, 290/29, 475/1, 475/2, 475/5
• US Class Current: 290/23
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2006/268 Electric drive motor starts the engine, i.e. used as starter motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/365 with the gears having orbital motion
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/04 the motors being associated with current generators
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 15/046 of the planetary type
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 3/721 with an energy dissipating device, e.g. regulating brake or fluid throttle, in order to vary speed continuously
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 3/724 using external powered electric machines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles

Abstract

A planetary gear arrangement, which provides a starting device for a power transmission, has an electrically biased reaction member. The reaction member is operatively connected with an electric motor/generator that is selectively controlled to establish a braking force at the reaction member. A fluid operated friction brake is disposed in parallel with the motor/generator to provide a selective fully engaged brake to establish the reaction, or a slipping brake to assist the generator in establishing the reaction at the planetary gear arrangement. A fluid operated clutch is also associated with the planetary gear arrangement to provide a selective 1:1 ratio within the planetary gear arrangement. The planetary gear arrangement cooperates with the park mechanism in the transmission and the motor/generator to provide an engine cranking mechanism which is useful during engine start.

Claims

1. A starting device disposed to transmit power in the form of torque and rotary speed components from an engine to a transmission comprising:

an input member connected to receive power from an engine;

a planetary gear means having a first gear means connected with said input member, a second gear means meshing with the first gear means and operatively connected to an input of a transmission, and a third gear means meshing with said second gear means;

retarding means comprising electrical energy translation means and selectively engageable friction drive establishing means operatively connected with said third gear means including a first element rotatable with the third gear means in a direction opposite to the rotary speed component of the engine and stationary means, said retarding means being operable to control the rotation of said third gear means for establishing a power path from the engine through the second gear means to the input of the transmission; and

selectively engageable clutch means for selectively directly connecting two of said gear means for establishing a direct drive from the engine to the transmission.

2. The starting device defined in claim 1, wherein said electrical energy translating means is controllable to reduce the transmission of transient torques from the engine, and wherein said friction drive establishing means further includes a one-way drive establishing means operable to permit rotation of said third gear means in one direction when said clutch means is engaged.

3. The starting device defined in claim 1, wherein the electrical energy translating means is controllable for cooperation with the friction drive establishing means for reducing the effect of a coefficient of friction change in the friction drive establishing means during a transition therein from a dynamic to a static condition.

4. A starting device disposed to transmit power in the form of torque and rotary speed components from an engine to a transmission comprising:

an input member connected to receive power from an engine;

a planetary gear means having a first gear means connected with said input member, a second gear means meshing with the first gear member and operatively connected to an input of a transmission, and a third gear means meshing with said second gear means;

retarding means comprising electrical energy translation means and selectively engageable friction brake means operatively connected with said third gear means including a first element rotatable with the third gear means in a direction opposite to the rotary speed component of the engine and stationary means, said retarding means being operable to control the rotation of said third gear means for establishing a power path from the engine through the second gear means to the input of the transmission; and

selectively engageable clutch means for selectively preventing relative rotation between the gear means to establish a power path directly from the engine to the transmission.