Multiple-input infinite-speed integral motor and transmission device

• US 5,575,730 A
• Filed: 05/20/1994
• Issued: 11/19/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Solomon Technologies Incorporated (Technipower Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Solomon Technologies Incorporated (Technipower Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Edwards, Jonathan, Tether, Dave
• Primary Examiner(s): Wright, Dirk
• Application Number:
  US08/246,785
• Time in Patent Office: 914 Days
• Field of Search: 475/5, 475/6, 475/9
• US Class Current: 475/5
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/00 Arrangement or mounting of electrical propulsion units B60K7/00 takes precedence; arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion B60K6/00; electric transmission arrangements B60K17/12; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles per se B60L; current-collectors for power supply lines of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L5/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2048/364 using electric or hydraulic motors
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 48/36 characterised by intentionally generating speed difference between outputs

Abstract

A combination electric motor and transmission unit device has at least three inputs and at least two rotational mechanical outputs, at least one of the inputs being of electrical power, to a corresponding integral combination of an electric motor means with a transmission means. The directions of rotation and the rotational speeds of the three inputs may be controlled to provide the mechanical outputs at any desired rotational speed with peak power output, depending on the controls, thus providing an ideal infinite speed device. The device employs a novel arrangement of a differential unit or a planetary gear unit. The combined motor and transmission device is lightweight, requires a small number of moving parts, and is useful in vehicles powered by electricity, including for regenerative braking. Another embodiment of the drive device is useful for a flywheel for peak power supplementation and also regeneration.

Claims

1. A combination motor and transmission device comprising:

at least three power input means, hereinafter referred to as a first, second and third power input means, said input means for receiving at least three inputs of electrical power; and

power conversion means for convening said electrical power of said first, second and third inputs for providing at least two outputs, said power conversion means, including a mechanical power transmission unit, said power transmission unit having at least three inputs for respectively receiving mechanical power corresponding to said first, second and third power inputs provided to said first, second and third power input means and at least two outputs for outputting the converted power as rotational mechanical power, wherein the rotational speed of said outputs are continuously variable, and said power conversion means includes, for each of said first, second and third power inputs, a respective integral combination of a respective electric motor element and an element of said mechanical transmission unit, each said integral combination involving said two respective elements thereof being directly associated mechanically and geometrically with each other without substantial spacing or other elements, including bearings and shafts therebetween;

wherein each of said integral combinations are within an envelope containing the other, whereby a compact structure is provided for each said integral combination, and said integral combinations are located closely adjacent each other;

wherein each said envelope is that of said respective motor element of the respective one of said integral combinations, and each said envelope has effectively a cylindrical symmetry; and

wherein said transmission unit comprises a differential unit which includes;

at least three opposing drive gears, corresponding to said at least three inputs of said transmission unit;

a first pair of pinion gears rotating on a first shaft between a first pair of opposing drive gears;

a second pair of pinion gears rotating on a second shaft between a second pair of opposing drive gears;

a third shaft connected at a first end perpendicularly to the center of said first shaft, the other end of said third shaft providing one of said rotational mechanical power outputs;

a fourth shaft connected at a first end perpendicularly to the center of said second shaft, the other end of said fourth shaft providing one of said rotational mechanical power outputs; and

a housing surrounding, at least in part, said drive gears, pinion gears, first, second, third and fourth shafts;

wherein each said integral combination comprises a respective one of said drive gears as the respective element of said transmission unit, each said drive gear being mechanically connected with the respective electric motor element.

2. A combination motor and transmission device comprising:

at least three power input means, hereinafter referred to as a first, second and third power input means, said input means for receiving at least three inputs of electrical power; and

power conversion means for converting said electrical power of said first, second and third inputs for providing at least two outputs, said power conversion means, including a mechanical power transmission unit, said power transmission unit having at least three inputs for respectively receiving mechanical power corresponding to said first, second and third power inputs provided to said first, second and third power input means and at least two outputs for outputting the converted power as rotational mechanical power, wherein the rotational speed of said outputs are continuously variable, and said power conversion means includes, for each of said first, second and third power inputs, a respective integral combination of a respective electric motor element and, an element of said mechanical transmission unit, each said integral combination involving said two respective elements thereof being directly associated mechanically and geometrically with each other without substantial spacing or other elements, including bearings and shafts therebetween;

wherein said transmission unit comprises a differential unit which includes;

at least three opposing drive gears, corresponding to said at least three inputs of said transmission unit;

a first pair of pinion gears rotating on a first shaft between a first pair of opposing drive gears;

a second pair of pinion gears rotating on a second shaft between a second pair of opposing drive gears;

a third shaft connected at a first end perpendicularly to the center of said first shaft, the other end of said third shaft providing one of said rotational mechanical power outputs;

a fourth shaft connected at a first end perpendicularly to the center of said second shaft, the other end of said fourth shaft providing one of said rotational mechanical power outputs; and

a housing surrounding, at least in part, said drive gears, pinion gears, first, second, third and fourth shafts;

wherein each said integral combination comprises a respective one of said drive gears as the respective element of said transmission unit, each said drive gear being mechanically connected with the respective electric motor element.

3. The combination motor and transmission device of claim 2, comprising:

a first element of said first electric motor being an armature that is connected rigidly to a respective peripheral part of a first one of said at least three opposing drive gears to rotate with said first drive gear;

a first element of said second motor being an armature that is connected rigidly to a respective peripheral part of the second one of said at least three opposing drive gears to rotate with said second drive gear;

a first element of said third motor being an armature that is connected rigidly to a respective peripheral part of the third one of said at least three opposing drive gears to rotate with said third drive gear;

a second element of said first electric motor being a first field assembly that is connected mechanically to said housing at a location to interact by its field with said armature on said first drive gear;

a second element of said second electric motor being a second field assembly that is connected mechanically to said housing at a location to interact by its field with said armature on said second drive gear; and

a second element of said third electric motor being a second field assembly that is connected mechanically to said housing at a location to interact by its field with said armature on said third drive gear;

wherein each said element of the respective one of said electric motors of each said integral combination is said armature thereof.

4. A combination motor and transmission device comprising:

at least three power input means, hereinafter referred to as a first, second and third power input means, said input means for receiving at least three inputs of electrical power; and

power conversion means for converting said electrical power of said first, second and third inputs for providing at least two outputs, said power conversion means, including a mechanical power transmission unit, said power transmission unit having at least three inputs for respectively receiving mechanical power corresponding to said first, second and third power inputs provided to said first, second and third power input means and at least two outputs for outputting the converted power as rotational mechanical power, wherein the rotational speed of said outputs are continuously variable, and said power conversion means includes, for each of said first, second and third power inputs, a respective integral combination of a respective electric motor element and an element of said mechanical transmission unit, each said integral combination involving said two respective elements thereof being directly associated mechanically and geometrically with each other without substantial spacing or other elements, including bearings and shafts therebetween;

wherein each of said integral combinations are within an envelope containing the other, whereby a compact structure is provided for each said integral combination, and said integral combinations are located closely adjacent each other;

wherein each said envelope is that of said respective motor element of the respective one of said integral combinations, and each said envelope has effectively a cylindrical symmetry; and

wherein said transmission unit comprises a planetary gear unit which includes

a first inner sun gear;

a first outer ring gear which has an axis of rotation collinear with that of said first inner sun gear;

a second outer ring gear which has an axis of rotation collinear with that of said second inner sun gear;

two sets of planetary gears held by respective hubs, each of said planetary gears being held by said respective hub to rotate in unison between said first inner sun gear, and said respective outer ring gear, said planetary gears rotating relative to said respective hub in dependence on the difference in rotation between said respective inner and outer gears, said respective hub rotating in dependence on the sum of two rotational velocity components, the first rotational velocity component being the common rotational velocity of said first sun gear and said first and second ring gears, and the second velocity component being the difference between the rotational velocity of said first sun gear and said first and second ring gears and,

a housing surrounding, at least in part, said electric motors and transmission unit; and

further comprising

a first element of said first electric motor being an armature that is connected rigidly to a respective peripheral part of said first ring gear to rotate with said first ring gear;

a first element of said second motor being an armature that is connected rigidly to a respective peripheral part of said hub to rotate with said hub;

a first element of said third motor being an armature that is connected rigidly to a respective peripheral part of said second ring gear to rotate with said second ring gear;

a second element of said first electric motor being a first field assembly that is connected mechanically to said housing at a location to interact by its field with said armature on said first ring gear,

a second element of said second electric motor being a second field assembly that is connected mechanically to said housing at a location to interact by its field with said armature on said hub;

a second element of said third electric motor being a third field assembly that is connected mechanically to said housing at a location to interact by its field with said armature on said second ring gear,

a first shaft connected to said sun gear to rotate with it as driven by said planetary gears, hub and said first ring gear; and

a second shaft connected to said sun gear to rotate with it as driven by said planetary gears, hub and said second ring gear;

wherein each said element of the respective one of said electric motors of each said integral combination is said armature thereof.

5. A combination motor and transmission device comprising:

at least three power input means, hereinafter referred to as a first, second and third power input means, said input means for receiving at least three inputs of electrical power; and

power conversion means for converting said electrical power of said first, second and third inputs for providing at least two outputs, said power conversion means, including a mechanical power transmission unit, said power transmission unit having at least three inputs for respectively receiving mechanical power corresponding to said first, second and third power inputs provided to said first, second and third power input means and at least two outputs for outputting the converted power as rotational mechanical power, wherein the rotational speed of said outputs are continuously variable, and said power conversion means includes, for each of said first, second and third power inputs, a respective integral combination of a respective electric motor element and an element of said mechanical transmission unit, each said integral combination involving said two respective elements thereof being directly associated mechanically and geometrically with each other without substantial spacing or other elements, including bearings and shafts therebetween;

wherein each of said integral combinations are within an envelope containing the other, whereby a compact structure is provided for each said integral combination, and said integral combinations are located closely adjacent each other;

wherein each said envelope is that of said respective motor element of the respective one of said integral combinations, and each said envelope has effectively a cylindrical symmetry; and

wherein said transmission unit comprises a planetary gear unit which includes

a first inner sun gear;

a first outer ring gear which has an axis of rotation collinear with that of said first inner sun gear;

a second outer ring gear which has an axis of rotation collinear with that of said second inner sun gear;

two sets of planetary gears held by respective hubs, each of said planetary gears being held by said respective hub to rotate in unison between said first inner sun gear, and said respective outer ring gear, said planetary gears rotating relative to said respective hub in dependence on the difference in rotation between said respective inner and outer gears, said respective hub rotating in dependence on the sum of two rotational velocity components, the first rotational velocity component being the common rotational velocity of said first sun gear and said first and second ring gears, and the second velocity component being the difference between the rotational velocity of said first sun gear and said first and second ring gears and,

a housing surrounding, at least in part, said electric motors and transmission unit; and

further comprising

a first element of said first electric motor being an armature that is connected rigidly to a respective peripheral part of said first ring gear to rotate with said first ring gear;

a first element of said second motor being an armature that is connected rigidly to a respective peripheral part of said first sun gear to rotate with said first sun gear;

a first element of said third electric motor being an armature that is connected rigidly to a respective peripheral part of said second ring gear to rotate with said second ring gear;

a second element of said first electric motor being a first field assembly that is connected mechanically to said armature on said first ring gear and,

a second element of said second electric motor being a second field assembly that is connected mechanically to said housing at a location to interact by its field with said armature on said sun gear,

a second element of said third electric motor being a first field assembly that is connected mechanically to said armature on said second ring gear;

a first shaft connected at a respective extension of said respective hubs to rotate with it as driven by said planetary gears, sun gear and first ring gear, and

a second shaft connected at a respective extension of said respective hubs to rotate with it as driven by said planetary gears, sun gear and second ring gear,

wherein each said element of the respective one of said electric motors of each said integral combination is said armature thereof.