Systems and methods for control of transmission and/or prime mover

• US 9,878,719 B2
• Filed: 06/09/2017
• Issued: 01/30/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Enviolo BV
• Original Assignee: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC (Fallbrook Technologies Incorporated)
• Inventors: Carter, Jeremy, Pohl, Brad P., McDaniel, Loren T., Keilers, Cyril, Ruggles, Tim, Rogers, David Lynn, Diehl, Eric, Orand, Austin, Delz, Alan Mark, Parks, Paul Argus, Bartholomew, Mark Edward, Vasiliotis, Christopher M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sample, Jonathan L
• Application Number:
  US15/618,678
• Publication Number:
  US 20170274903A1
• Time in Patent Office: 235 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/20 for control of the vehicle or its driving motor to achieve a desired performance, e.g. speed, torque, programmed variation of speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/12 Bikes
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/441 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/642 Slope of road
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/16 by display
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/20 using propulsion power generated by humans or animals
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/52 characterised by DC-motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/108 Friction gearings
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/109 of the toroïd type
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0638 Engine speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/1005 Transmission ratio engaged
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/244 Charge state
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/10 Longitudinal speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/10 Accelerator pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2552/15 Road slope, i.e. the inclination of a road segment in the longitudinal direction
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/081 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/1005 Transmission ratio engaged
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/188 Controlling power parameters of the driveline, e.g. determining the required power
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/12 Motorcycles, Trikes; Quads; Scooters
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 6/45 : Control or actuating devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 6/65 : with axle and driving shaft arranged coaxially
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 15/40 : in which two members co-operative by means of balls, or rollers of uniform effective diameter, not mounted on shafts
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 15/52 : in which a member of uniform effective diameter mounted on a shaft may co-operate with different parts of another member
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/6648 : controlling of shifting being influenced by a signal derived from the engine and the main coupling
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/6649 : characterised by the means for controlling the torque transmitting capability of the gearing
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 9/04 : using belts, V-belts, or ropes with toothed belts F16H9/24; pulleys of adjustable construction F16H55/52
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 : Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 : Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 : Electrical device making

Abstract

Disclosed here are inventive systems and methods for a powertrain of an electric vehicle (EV). In some embodiments, said powertrain includes a continuously variable transmission (CVT) coupled to an electric drive motor, wherein a control system is configured to control the CVT and/or the drive motor to optimize various efficiencies associated with the EV and/or its subsystems. In one specific embodiment, the control system is configured to operate the EV in an economy mode. Operating in said mode, the control system simultaneously manages the CVT and the drive motor to optimize the range of the EV. The control system can be configured to manage the current provided to the drive motor, as well as adjust a transmission speed ratio of the CVT. Other modes of operation are also disclosed. The control system can be configured to manage the power to the drive motor and adjust the transmission speed ratio of the CVT taking into account battery voltage, throttle position, and transmission speed ratio, for example.

Claims

1. A drive system comprising:

a continuously variable transmission (CVT) having a plurality of tiltable spherical planets arranged about a longitudinal axis of the CVT; and

a transmission control system coupled to the CVT, the transmission control system comprising

a first sensor configured to provide vehicle speed data,

a second sensor configured to provide data associated with a transmission speed ratio of the CVT, and

a controller in electrical communication with an actuator, the controller configured to receive a signal from the first sensor and a signal from the second sensor, wherein the controller is further configured to determine when an efficiency improvement of the drive system can be achieved and adjust the CVT to achieve a desired transmission efficiency, and wherein the controller is configured to control the actuator to change a transmission speed ratio of the CVT to achieve the desired transmission efficiency.

2. The drive system of claim 1, wherein the second sensor comprises an actuator position sensor.

3. The drive system of claim 1, further comprising a motor and a motor controller, wherein the motor controller is configured to operate the motor according to one of a plurality of modes of operation, wherein in a first mode of operation, the motor controller is configured to allow the motor to accelerate to a highest power condition, wherein in a second mode of operation, the motor controller is configured to operate the motor at a most efficient speed, and wherein in a third mode of operation, the motor controller is configured to operate the motor in a speed ratio having a mechanical advantage over a fixed ratio driveline.

4. The drive system of claim 3, wherein the motor controller is integrated with the transmission control system.

5. The drive system of claim 3, further comprising a sensor configured to provide data associated with a current level provided to the motor.

6. The drive system of claim 3, further comprising a data display in electrical communication with the controller, the data display having at least one button for selecting from the plurality of modes of operation.

7. A vehicle comprising:

a continuously variable transmission (CVT) having a plurality of tiltable spherical planets arranged about a longitudinal axis of the CVT; and

a transmission control system coupled to the CVT, the transmission control system comprising

a first sensor configured to provide vehicle speed data,

a second sensor configured to provide data associated with a transmission speed ratio of the CVT, and

a controller in electrical communication with an actuator, the controller configured to receive a signal from the first sensor and a signal from the second sensor, wherein the controller is further configured to determine when an efficiency improvement of the drive system can be achieved and adjust the CVT to achieve a desired transmission efficiency, and wherein the controller is configured to control the actuator to change a transmission speed ratio of the CVT to achieve the desired transmission efficiency.

8. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the second sensor comprises an actuator position sensor.

9. The vehicle of claim 7, further comprising a motor and a motor controller, wherein the motor controller is configured to operate the motor according to one of a plurality of modes of operation, wherein in a first mode of operation, the motor controller is configured to allow the motor to accelerate to a highest power condition, wherein in a second mode of operation, the motor controller is configured to operate the motor at a most efficient speed, wherein in a third mode of operation, the motor controller is configured to operate the motor in a speed ratio having a mechanical advantage over a fixed ratio driveline.

10. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the motor controller is integrated with the transmission control system.

11. The vehicle of claim 9, further comprising a sensor configured to provide data associated with a current level provided to the motor.

12. The vehicle of claim 9, further comprising a data display in electrical communication with the controller, the data display having at least one button for selecting from the plurality of operating modes.