Electrically variable transmission arrangement with transfer gear between gear sets and clutches

• US 7,261,660 B2
• Filed: 05/18/2005
• Issued: 08/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Holmes, Alan G., Sowul, Henryk, Hendrickson, James D., Schmidt, Michael R., Klemen, Donald
• Primary Examiner(s): Le; David D.
• Application Number:
  US11/131,564
• Publication Number:
  US 20060025265A1
• Time in Patent Office: 832 Days
• Field of Search: 475/5, 475/149, 475/151, 475/282, 477/3, 477/4, 477/5, 180/65.2, 180/65.7, 701/22, 903/911, 903/917, 903/918, 903/919
• US Class Current: 475/5
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/02 comprising more than one electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/365 with the gears having orbital motion
• 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 6/40 characterised by the assembly or relative disposition of components
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/445 Differential gearing distribution type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/448 Electrical distribution type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2037/0866 Power split variators with distributing differentials, with the output of the CVT connected or connectable to the output shaft
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2037/104 Power split variators with one end of the CVT connected or connectable to two or more differentials
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2200/2007 with two sets of orbital gears
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2200/201 with three sets of orbital gears
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2200/2097 comprising an orbital gear set member permanently connected to the housing, e.g. a sun wheel permanently connected to the housing
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 3/728 with means to change ratio in the mechanical gearing
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/911 with two or more gear sets

Abstract

An electrically variable transmission is provided including an input member to receive power from an engine about a primary axis; an output member connected to a transfer member for transmitting power to a secondary axis; first and second motor/generators; and first and second simple planetary gear sets each having first, second and third members. The input member is continuously connected to the first member of the first gear set, and the output member is continuously connected to the first member of the second gear set. The first motor/generator is continuously connected to the second member of the first gear set. The second motor/generator is continuously connected with the third member of the first or second gear set. First and second torque transfer devices are positioned on one side of the transfer member, and the first and second gear sets are positioned on an opposite side of the transfer member.

Claims

1. An electrically variable transmission comprising:

an input member to receive power from an engine about a primary axis;

an output member connected to a transfer member for transmitting power to a secondary axis;

first and second motor/generators;

first and second simple planetary gear sets each having first, second and third members;

said input member being continuously connected to said first member of said first gear set, and said output member being continuously connected to said first member of said second gear set;

said first motor/generator being continuously connected to said second member of said first gear set;

said second motor/generator being continuously connected with said third member of said first or second gear set;

a first torque transfer device selectively grounding said second member of said second gear set;

a second torque transfer device selectively connecting said second member of said second gear set to said first electric motor/generator; and

a third torque transfer device selectively grounding said third member of said first gear set, said third torque transfer device being positioned between said first and second gear sets;

wherein said third member of said first gear set is selectively or continuously connected with said third member of said second gear set; and

wherein said first and second torque transfer devices are positioned on one side of said transfer member, and said first and second gear sets are positioned on an opposite side of said transfer member.

2. The electrically variable transmission of claim 1, further comprising a rotor support member and rotor support bearing for said first motor/generator at said one side of said transfer member.

3. The electrically variable transmission of claim 1, wherein said first, second and third members of said first gear set comprise a carrier, a sun gear, and a ring gear, respectively, and said first, second and third members of said second gear set comprise a carrier, ring gear and sun gear respectively.

4. The electrically variable transmission of claim 1, wherein said second motor/generator is centrally supported on a radially extending support member positioned between said first and second planetary gear sets.

5. The electrically variable transmission of claim 1, wherein said transfer member comprises a transfer gear rotatably supported on a bearing.

6. The electrically variable transmission of claim 1, wherein said transfer member comprises a drive sprocket rotatably supported on a bearing and engaged with a transfer chain.

7. The electrically variable transmission of claim 6, wherein said first torque transfer device is positioned at least partially radially inside said drive sprocket.

8. An electrically variable transmission comprising:

an input member to receive power from an engine;

an output member connected to a transfer member for transmitting power to a secondary axis;

first and second motor/generators;

first and second simple planetary gear sets each having first, second and third members;

said input member being continuously connected to said first member of said first gear set, and said output member being continuously connected to said first member of said second gear set;

said first motor/generator being continuously connected to said second member of said first gear set;

said second motor/generator being continuously connected with said third member of said second gear set;

a first torque transfer device selectively grounding said second member of said second gear set;

a second torque transfer device selectively connecting said second member of said second gear set to said first electric motor/generator; and

a third torque transfer device selectively grounding said third member of said first gear set;

wherein said first and second torque transfer devices are positioned on one side of said transfer member, and said first and second gear sets are positioned on an opposite side of said transfer member.

9. The electrically variable transmission of claim 8, further comprising a rotor support member and rotor support bearing for said first motor/generator at said one side of said transfer member.

10. The electrically variable transmission of claim 8, wherein said first, second and third members of said first gear set comprise a carrier, sun gear and ring gear, respectively, and said first, second and third members of said second gear set comprise a carrier, ring gear and sun gear respectively.

11. The electrically variable transmission of claim 8, wherein said third torque transfer device is positioned between said first and second gear sets.

12. The electrically variable transmission of claim 8, wherein said second motor/generator is centrally supported on a radially extending support member positioned between said first and second planetary gear sets.

13. The electrically variable transmission of claim 8, wherein said transfer member comprises a transfer gear rotatably supported on a bearing.

14. The electrically variable transmission of claim 8, wherein said transfer member comprises a drive sprocket rotatably supported on a bearing and engaged with a transfer chain.

15. The electrically variable transmission of claim 14, wherein said first torque transfer device is positioned at least partially radially inside said drive sprocket.

16. An electrically variable transmission comprising:

an input member to receive power from an engine about a primary axis;

an output member connected to a transfer member for transmitting power to a secondary axis;

first and second motor/generators;

first and second simple planetary gear sets each having first, second and third members;

said input member being continuously connected to said first member of said first gear set, and said output member being continuously connected to said first member of said second gear set;

said first motor/generator being continuously connected to said second member of said first gear set;

said second motor/generator being continuously connected with said third member of said first or second gear set;

a first torque transfer device selectively grounding said second member of said second gear set;

a second torque transfer device selectively connecting said second member of said second gear set to said first electric motor/generator;

wherein said third member of said first gear set is selectively or continuously connected with said third member of said second gear set;

wherein said first and second torque transfer devices are positioned on one side of said transfer member, and said first and second gear sets are positioned on an opposite side of said transfer member;

wherein said transfer member comprises a drive sprocket rotatably supported on a bearing and engaged with a transfer chain; and

wherein said first torque transfer device is positioned at least partially radially inside said drive sprocket.

17. An electrically variable transmission comprising:

an input member to receive power from an engine;

an output member connected to a transfer gear;

first and second motor/generators;

first and second simple planetary gear sets each having a sun gear member and a ring gear member, each of which meshingly engage a plurality of gear members rotatably mounted on a carrier;

said input member being operatively connected to said carrier of said first planetary gear set;

said output member being operatively connected to said carder of said second planetary gear set;

one of said first and said second motor/generator operatively connected to said sun gear member in said first planetary gear set;

the other of said first and said second motor/generator being in continuous, operative connection with said sun gear member of said second gear set and with said ring gear member of said first gear set;

a first torque transfer device selectively grounding said ring gear member of said second gear set;

a second torque transfer device selectively connecting said ring gear member of said second gear set to said first motor/generator; and

a third torque transfer device selectively grounding said sun gear member of said second gear set, said third torque transfer device being positioned between said first and second gear sets;

wherein said first and second torque transfer devices are positioned on one side of said transfer member, and said first and second gear sets are positioned on an opposite side of said transfer member.

18. The electrically variable transmission of claim 17, wherein said second gear set is positioned between said input member and said first gear set.

19. The electrically variable transmission of claim 17, further comprising a rotor support member and rotor support bearing for said second motor/generator positioned between said first and second gear sets.