Multi-mode electromechanical variable transmission
First Claim
1. A drive system for a vehicle, comprising:
- 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 directly coupled to the first sun gear of the first gear set;
a second electrical machine directly coupled to the second sun gear of the second gear set;
a connecting shaft directly coupling an engine to the first ring gear of the first gear set;
a driveshaft configured to transport power from the first electrical machine, the second electrical machine, and the engine to a tractive element of the vehicle; and
a clutch selectively rotationally coupling the first carrier and the second carrier to the driveshaft when engaged,wherein the drive system is selectively reconfigurable into a neutral startup mode whereby rotation of the first electrical machine rotates the connecting shaft to start the engine.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A drive system includes a first gear set and a second gear set, each including a sun gear, a ring gear, a plurality of planetary gears coupling the sun gear to the ring gear, and a carrier rotationally supporting the plurality of planetary gears, 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 driveshaft configured to transport power from the first electrical machine, the second electrical machine, and the engine to a tractive element of the vehicle, and a clutch selectively rotationally coupling the first carrier and the second carrier to the driveshaft when engaged.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A drive system for a vehicle, 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 directly coupled to the first sun gear of the first gear set; a second electrical machine directly coupled to the second sun gear of the second gear set; a connecting shaft directly coupling an engine to the first ring gear of the first gear set; a driveshaft configured to transport power from the first electrical machine, the second electrical machine, and the engine to a tractive element of the vehicle; and a clutch selectively rotationally coupling the first carrier and the second carrier to the driveshaft when engaged, wherein the drive system is selectively reconfigurable into a neutral startup mode whereby rotation of the first electrical machine rotates the connecting shaft to start the engine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A drive system for a vehicle, comprising:
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a first planetary gear set; a second planetary gear set directly coupled to the first planetary gear set; an engine directly coupled to the first planetary gear set with a connecting shaft, wherein the first planetary gear set, the second planetary gear set, and the connecting shaft are radially aligned; a first electromagnetic device coupled to the first planetary gear set, wherein the first electromagnetic device includes a first shaft; a second electromagnetic device directly coupled to the second planetary gear set and selectively rotationally engaged with the engine, wherein the second electromagnetic device includes a second shaft, wherein the first shaft and the second shaft are radially aligned with the first planetary gear set, the second pplanetary gear set, and the connecting shaft, and wherein the connecting shaft extends through the second electromagnetic device and through the second planetary gear set to the first planetary gear set; and an output selectively coupled to the first planetary gear set and the second planetary gear set, wherein the output is radially offset from the first planetary gear set, the second planetary gear set, and the connecting shaft. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A vehicle, comprising:
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a 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 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 coupled to the second gear set; an engine selectively coupled to the second gear set; and a drive axle selectively coupled to the multi-mode transmission; wherein during a power generation mode of the multi-mode transmission the engine is coupled to the second motor/generator and isolated from the drive axle, and wherein during a series electric mode of the multi-mode transmission the engine is decoupled from the second motor/generator, the second motor/generator is selectively coupled to the drive axle, and the engine is coupled to the first motor/generator such that rotation of the first motor/generator by the engine generates electricity to power the second motor/generator. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification