Hybrid drive powertrains with reduced parasitic losses

• US 7,681,675 B2
• Filed: 12/17/2007
• Issued: 03/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Maguire, Joel M., Samie, Farzad
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAN, HAU VAN
• Application Number:
  US11/957,844
• Publication Number:
  US 20090152028A1
• Time in Patent Office: 827 Days
• Field of Search: 180/308, 180/65.25, 180/65.27, 180/65.285, 180/65.265, 180/65.275, 180/65.1, 180/65.235, 903/912, 903/913, 903/914, 903/916, 475/5, 475/276, 475/277, 475/110
• US Class Current: 180/65.1
• 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 6/22 characterised by apparatus, components or means specially adapted for HEVs
• 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: F16D 25/065 with clutching members having a movement which has at least a radial component
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 28/00 Electrically-actuated clutches arrangements for synchronisation F16D23/02; clutches actuated directly by means of an electromagnet F16D27/00; automatic clutches F16D43/00 - F16D45/00; external control F16D48/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 41/088 the intermediate members being of only one size and wedging by a movement not having an axial component, between inner and outer races, one of which is cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2048/202 using freewheel clutches
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles

Abstract

An apparatus for reducing parasitic losses in a hybrid electric powertrain of a vehicle includes a drivetrain, an electric motor, and a connecting mechanism operative to selectively engage and disengage the drivetrain and the electric motor.

Claims

1. An apparatus for reducing parasitic losses in a hybrid electric powertrain of a vehicle, comprising:

a drivetrain comprising a first axle, a second axle and a differential including a pinion carrier, wherein said differential is operative to transfer torque between said first axle and said second axle;

an electric motor; and

a connecting mechanism operative to selectively engage said drivetrain and said electric motor, said connecting mechanism comprising a selectable one-way clutch which when activated provides for one-way torque transfer from the electric motor to the pinion carrier.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first axle, said second axle, and said differential device operate to turn rear wheels of said vehicle.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said connecting mechanism comprises a transmission gear set and a clutch mechanism.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said connecting mechanism selectively disengages said drivetrain and said electric motor when said electric motor is not in use.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said selectable one-way clutch comprises:

a plurality of rollers and a roller cage;

a plurality of roller ramps fixedly attached to the pinion carrier;

an input member rotatably disposed about the pinion carrier;

said roller cage rotatably disposed about the pinion carrier with the rollers oriented substantially between the roller ramps and the input member, and having a first rotational orientation wherein the rollers are engaged between the roller ramps and the input member and a second rotational orientation wherein the rollers are disengaged from the roller ramps and the input member.

6. A method for reducing parasitic losses in a hybrid electric powertrain, comprising:

engaging an electric motor and a drivetrain when said electric motor is in use; and

disengaging said electric motor and said drivetrain when said electric motor is not in use;

wherein said drivetrain comprises a first axle, a second axle and a differential including a pinion carrier; and

wherein said engaging comprises activating a clutch mechanism providing for torque transfer when activated between the electric motor and the pinion carrier.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said activating said clutch mechanism is operative to fix a connecting mechanism to said drivetrain.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein said activating said clutch mechanism is operative to fix an input gear to said drivetrain.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein said disengaging allows said drivetrain to rotate independently from said electric motor.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein said electric motor is attached to a transmission gear set, and wherein said disengaging allows said drivetrain to rotate independently from said transmission gear set.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein said electric motor is in use during a drive mode.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said electric motor is further in use during a recovery mode.

13. The method of claim 6, wherein said electric motor is in use during a recovery mode.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said clutch mechanism comprises a control device operative to selectively engage said drivetrain and said electric motor when said electric motor is in a recovery mode.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said control device is an electromagnetically activated device operative to engage on command from a control module.