Integrated hybrid transmission with inertia assisted launch

• US 5,285,111 A
• Filed: 04/27/1993
• Issued: 02/08/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Motors Corporation (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Sherman, James F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellinen, A. D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOOVER, ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US08/054,799
• Time in Patent Office: 287 Days
• Field of Search: 180/65.2, 290/4 C, 290/8, 290/45, 475/276
• US Class Current: 290/4.00C
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2006/262 the motor or generator are used as clutch, e.g. between engine and driveshaft
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2006/4833 Step up or reduction gearing driving generator, e.g. to operate generator in most efficient speed range
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2006/541 without reverse ratio using instead electric reversing
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/365 with the gears having orbital motion
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/38 characterised by the driveline clutches shift clutches within the gearing or transmission B60K6/36 , B60K6/54
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/383 One-way clutches or freewheel devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/387 Actuated clutches, i.e. clutches engaged or disengaged by electric, hydraulic or mechanical actuating means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/547 the transmission being a stepped gearing
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/52 Clutch motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/02 including control of driveline clutches
• 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 10/11 Stepped 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 20/10 Controlling the power contribution of each of the prime movers to meet required power demand
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18027 Drive off, accelerating from standstill
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2003/442 comprising two or more sets of orbital gears arranged in a single plane
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 3/725 with means to change ratio in the mechanical gearing
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 37/0826 : with only one output shaft
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 : Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 : Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 : Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 : Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/903 : having energy storing means, e.g. battery, capacitor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/909 : Gearing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/91 : Orbital, e.g. planetary gears
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/913 : One way
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/914 : Actuated, e.g. engaged or disengaged by electrical, hydraulic or mechanical means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/919 : Stepped shift
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/946 : Characterized by control of driveline clutch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/947 : Characterized by control of braking, e.g. blending of regeneration, friction braking

Abstract

The present invention relates to a power transmission that is interposed between the internal combustion engine and the drive ratio selection transmission of a vehicle. A motor/generator is operatively connected to the power transmission, and the power transmission selectively adds and subtracts torque provided by the motor/generator to the torque provided by the internal combustion engine. The power transmission effects the operative interconnection between both the internal combustion engine and the motor/generator to the drive ratio selection transmission. The power transmission employs compounded first and second planetary gear sets. A common gear member serves not only as the ring gear for the first planetary gear set but also as the sun gear for the second planetary gear set. The power transmission provides operating advantages not possible with prior art mechanisms, and these advantages allow the internal combustion engine to operate with desirable engine emissions.

Claims

1. A power train for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine to provide a torque source and a drive ratio selection transmission, said power train comprising:

a power transmission interposed between the internal combustion engine and the drive ratio selection transmission;

a motor/generator operatively connected to said power transmission; and

,

said power transmission selectively adding and subtracting torque provided by said motor/generator to the torque provided by the internal combustion engine.

2. A power train, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

means to drive said motor/generator by the vehicle inertia through the drive ratio selection transmission to recover energy and assist in braking.

3. A power train, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

selectively engageable torque transmitting means to disconnect said internal combustion engine from said power transmission and to connect said motor/generator in reverse input drive relation with said power transmission.

4. A power transmission for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine, a motor/generator and a drive ratio selection transmission, said power transmission comprising:

compounded first and second planetary gear sets, each having sun gear means, ring gear means and a plurality of planetary gears mounted on first and second carriers operatively to connect said sun and ring gear means of the respective first and second planetary gear sets;

a common gear member serving not only as the ring gear for said first planetary gear set but also as the sun gear for said second planetary gear set;

the internal combustion engine adapted selectively to provide torque to the ring and carrier of said second planetary gear set;

means selectively to transfer torque between the motor/generator and said sun gear of said first planetary gear set and said second carrier;

means selectively to transfer torque to and from the drive ratio selection transmission and the internal combustion engine, said ring gear of the second planetary gear set and the motor/generator through said second carrier;

said first carrier being selectively connected to ground; and

means selectively connecting said drive ratio selection transmission to ground.

5. A power transmission, as set forth in claim 4, further comprising:

a torque transfer clutch device selectively to connect said second carrier to said motor/generator.

6. A power transmission, as set forth in claim 5, further comprising:

a torque transfer clutch device to effect selective connection between said second carrier and said ring gear of said second planetary gear set.

7. A power transmission, as set forth in claim 6, further comprising:

a torque transfer brake device selectively to connect said first carrier to ground; and

,

a torque transfer brake device selectively to connect said second carrier to ground.

8. A power transmission, as set forth in claim 7, further comprising:

means to effect simultaneous actuation of the torque transfer brake devices that selectively connect said first and second carriers to ground.

9. A power transmission, as set forth in claim 7, further comprising:

a selectable one-way clutch interposed between said first carrier and ground for effecting utilization of the positive flywheel inertia.

10. A power transmission, as set forth in claim 9, further comprising:

a torque transfer brake device spanning said one-way clutch selectively to connect said first carrier to ground.

11. A power transmission, as set forth in claim 6, further comprising:

a second one-way clutch interposed between said ring gear of said second planetary gear set and said internal combustion engine.

12. A power transmission, as set forth in claim 11, further comprising:

a torque transfer clutch device spanning said second one-way clutch selectively to connect said ring gear of said second planetary gear set to said internal combustion engine.

13. A power transmission for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine, a motor/generator and a drive ratio selection transmission, said power transmission comprising:

interconnected first and second planetary gear sets each having sun gear means, ring gear means and a plurality of planetary gears mounted on first and second carriers operatively to connect said ring and sun gear means of the respective first and second planetary gear sets;

the ring gear for said first planetary gear set directly connected with the sun gear for said second planetary gear set;

the internal combustion engine adapted selectively to provide torque to the ring and carrier of said second planetary gear set;

means selectively to transfer torque between the motor/generator and said sun gear of said first planetary gear set and said second carrier;

means selectively to transfer torque to and from the drive ratio selection transmission and the internal combustion engine, said ring gear of the second planetary gear set and the motor/generator through said second carrier;

said first carrier being selectively connected to ground; and

,

means selectively connecting said drive ratio selection transmission to ground.

14. A power transmission for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine, a motor/generator and a drive ratio selection transmission, said power transmission comprising:

compounded first and second planetary gear sets, each having first gear means, second gear means and a plurality of planetary gears mounted on first and second carriers operatively to connect said first and second gear means of the respective first and second planetary gear sets;

a common gear member serving not only as the second gear for said first planetary gear set but also as the first gear for said second planetary gear set;

the internal combustion engine adapted selectively to provide torque to one gear means carrier of said second planetary gear set;

means selectively to transfer torque between the motor/generator and said one gear means of said first planetary gear set and said second carrier;

means selectively to transfer torque to and from the drive ratio selection transmission and the internal combustion engine, said one gear means of the second planetary gear set and the motor/generator through said second carrier;

said first carrier being selectively connected to ground; and

,

means selectively connecting said drive ratio selection transmission to ground.