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Power transmitting apparatus and method of controlling the same

  • US 5,789,877 A
  • Filed: 04/22/1996
  • Issued: 08/04/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/19/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A power transmitting apparatus for starting an engine and transmitting power output from said engine to a drive shaft, said power transmitting apparatus comprising:

  • a clutch motor comprising a first rotor connected with an output shaft of said engine and a second rotor connected with said drive shaft, said second rotor being coaxial to and rotatable relative to said first rotor, said first and second rotors being electromagnetically connected with each other to transmit power between said output shaft of said engine and said drive shaft via the electromagnetic connection of said first and second rotors;

    a clutch motor-driving circuit for controlling a degree of the electromagnetic connection of said first and second rotors of said clutch motor and regulating rotation of said second rotor relative to said first rotor;

    an assist motor connected with said drive shaft;

    an assist motor-driving circuit for driving and controlling said assist motor;

    a storage battery being charged with power regenerated by said clutch motor via said clutch motor-driving circuit, being charged with power regenerated by said assist motor via said assist motor-driving circuit, discharging power required to drive said clutch motor via said clutch motor-driving circuit, and discharging power required to drive said assist motor via said assist motor-driving circuit;

    starter position detecting means for detecting an ignition switch in a starter position;

    starter control means for, when said starter position detecting means detects said ignition switch in said starter position, setting said drive shaft into a locking state and controlling said clutch motor-driving circuit to allow said clutch motor to crank said output shaft of said engine with the power stored in said storage battery; and

    engine operation control means for injecting a fuel into said engine and igniting a spark in said engine concurrently with the cranking operation by said starter control means.

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