Multi-mode electromechanical variable transmission
First Claim
1. A vehicle, comprising:
- an engine;
a drive axle;
a multi-mode transmission selectively coupled to the engine and the drive axle, the multi-mode transmission including;
a first gear set having a first planetary gear carrier and a second gear set having a second planetary gear carrier, wherein the first gear set is coupled to the engine, and wherein the first planetary gear carrier and the second planetary gear carrier are rotatably coupled;
a first motor/generator coupled to the first gear set; and
a second motor/generator electrically coupled to the first motor/generator with a bus, coupled to the second gear set, and selectively coupled to the engine;
a brake positioned to selectively limit a rotational movement of a ring gear of the second gear set when engaged;
a clutch selectively rotationally coupling the second motor/generator to the engine when engaged; and
a controller coupled to the multi-mode transmission and configured to selectively configure the multi-mode transmission into an active neutral startup mode of operation in response to an engine start request by engaging the clutch and the brake such that at least one of the first motor/generator and the second motor/generator produces a voltage that is applied to the bus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle includes an engine, a drive axle, a multi-mode transmission selectively coupled to the engine and the drive axle, and a controller coupled to the multi-mode transmission and configured to selectively configure the multi-mode transmission into an active neutral startup mode of operation in response to an engine start request. The multi-mode transmission includes a first gear set having a first planetary gear carrier and a second gear set having a second planetary gear carrier, a first motor/generator coupled to the first gear set, and a second motor/generator electrically coupled to the first motor/generator with a bus, coupled to the second gear set, and selectively coupled to the engine. The first gear set is coupled to the engine, and the first planetary gear carrier and the second planetary gear carrier are rotatably coupled.
407 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A vehicle, comprising:
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an engine; a drive axle; a multi-mode transmission selectively coupled to the engine and the drive axle, the multi-mode transmission including; a first gear set having a first planetary gear carrier and a second gear set having a second planetary gear carrier, wherein the first gear set is coupled to the engine, and wherein the first planetary gear carrier and the second planetary gear carrier are rotatably coupled; a first motor/generator coupled to the first gear set; and a second motor/generator electrically coupled to the first motor/generator with a bus, coupled to the second gear set, and selectively coupled to the engine; a brake positioned to selectively limit a rotational movement of a ring gear of the second gear set when engaged; a clutch selectively rotationally coupling the second motor/generator to the engine when engaged; and a controller coupled to the multi-mode transmission and configured to selectively configure the multi-mode transmission into an active neutral startup mode of operation in response to an engine start request by engaging the clutch and the brake such that at least one of the first motor/generator and the second motor/generator produces a voltage that is applied to the bus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A drive system for a vehicle having a drive axle, the drive system comprising:
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a first gear set including a first sun gear, a first ring gear, a first plurality of planetary gears coupling the first sun gear to the first ring gear, and a first carrier rotationally supporting the first plurality of planetary gears; a second gear set including a second sun gear, a second ring gear, a second plurality of planetary gears coupling the second sun gear to the second ring gear, and a second carrier rotationally supporting the second plurality of planetary gears, wherein the first carrier is directly coupled to the second carrier; a first electrical machine coupled to the first gear set; a second electrical machine coupled to the second gear set; a connecting shaft coupling an engine to the first gear set; a brake positioned to selectively limit a rotational movement of the second ring gear when engaged; a clutch selectively rotationally coupling the second electrical machine to the connecting shaft and the engine when engaged; and a controller configured to engage the clutch and the brake in response to an engine start request, wherein; the drive system is selectively reconfigurable into an active neutral startup mode of operation whereby at least one of the first electrical machine and the second electrical machine provide a startup power in response to a rotational input from the engine; and at least one of the first electrical machine and the second electrical machine is actuatable into a desired operating state in response to the startup power exceeding a threshold level. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of operating a multi-mode transmission, comprising:
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receiving an engine start request associated with an engine, wherein the engine is coupled to a first electromagnetic device through a first gear set; engaging a clutch to selectively rotationally couple a second electromagnetic device and a second gear set to the engine; engaging a brake to selectively limit a rotational movement of a ring gear of the second gear set, wherein a carrier of the second gear set is coupled to a carrier of the first gear set; generating a startup power by providing a rotational input to the first electromagnetic device with the engine; and activating at least one of the first electromagnetic device and the second electromagnetic device into a desired operating state with a controller in response to the startup power exceeding a threshold level.
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Specification