Single body motor/generator dual function device

• US 6,828,691 B2
• Filed: 06/14/2002
• Issued: 12/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sunyen Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Sunyen Company Limited
• Inventors: Tu, Yu-Ta, Yeh, Show-Jong
• Primary Examiner(s): Waks, Joe
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gonzalez, Julio C.
• Application Number:
  US10/170,355
• Publication Number:
  US 20030227227A1
• Time in Patent Office: 907 Days
• Field of Search: 310/100, 310/102.R, 310/156, 310/154, 310/154.02, 310/102, 290/40.C, 180/65-- 6
• US Class Current: 290/40.00C
• 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: 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 2007/0046 the motor moving together with the vehicle body, i.e. moving independently from the wheel axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2007/0061 the motor axle being parallel to the wheel axle
• 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

Abstract

A dual function motor/generator includes a rechargeable battery, a mode switching device, a dual function rotor/stator structure, at least two transmission devices and a clutch device for selecting one of the two transmission devices depending on whether a motor or generator mode is selected. When the dual function motor/generator is used as a motor, power is supplied from the rechargeable battery controlled by the mode switching device to a driven load through the rotor/stator structure and one of the transmission devices, and when used as a generator, the battery is recharged by applying an external force to the load such that the load drives the other transmission device to rotate the rotor in a direction opposite a direction of rotation of the rotor in the motor mode, and thereby induce an electric current in the rotor/stator structure to recharge the battery.

Claims

1. A single body motor/generator dual function device comprising a rechargeable battery, a switching means for switching between a motor mode and a generator mode, a rotor and stator structure including a rotor and a stator, at least two transmission devices and a forward/reverse clutch means for selectively connecting one of said two transmission devices between said rotor and a power output device connected to a load depending on whether said motor/generator is in said motor mode or said generator mode,

wherein when the switching means is located at a first position, power is supplied from the rechargeable battery to the rotor and stator structure, and a first of the two of the transmission devices is connected between the rotor and the power output device such that the rotor transmits power to the output device through the first transmission device, and

wherein when the switching means is located at the second position, the rotor and stator structure is used as a generator, and the battery is recharged upon applying external force to the load and selecting a second of said two transmission devices such that the load drives the second transmission device to rotate the rotor and induce an electromotive force that recharges the battery.

2. The single body motor/generator dual function device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stator is made from permanent magnetic material and the rotor has coil windings.

3. The single body motor/generator dual function device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stator is made from permeable material wound by coil windings and the rotor is made from permanent magnetic material.

4. The single body motor/generator dual function device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stator and rotor are both made from permeable material wound by coil windings, and the device further comprises at least a starting switch, a feedback switch, and a rectifier, wherein the two switches are initially closed at the same time when the device is used as a generator and an external force is applied to the load, at which time the rechargeable battery provides a potential to windings of the rotor through the starting switch and causes the rotor to move in a pre-determined direction relative to the stator, and wherein a first portion of electromotive force induced in the stator windings is fed back to the coil windings of the rotor through the rectifier and the feedback switch, and wherein the starting switch is then opened so that the main portion of the electromotive force is supplied to the battery through the switching means while the first portion of the electromotive force continues to be fed back to the coil windings of the rotor to generate power by induction until the stoppage of the external force applied to the load.

5. The single body motor/generator dual function device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the forward/reverse clutch means is interlocked with the switching means such that the switching means causes the forward/reverse clutch means to switch between said first and second transmissions.

6. The single body motor/generator dual function device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the forward/reverse clutch means is controlled independently of the switching means.

7. The single body motor/generator dual function device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said two transmissions are respectively connected at opposite ends of said rotor.

8. The single body motor/generator dual function device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a shaft connected to the output device, and wherein said two transmission devices are each connected to the rotor and to the shaft.

9. The single body motor/generator dual function device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the power output device comprises a differential, torque converter, third transmission device or a combination of the differential, torque converter or third transmission device for providing a change of torque, velocity, direction or other required functions.