One-mode, input-split, parallel, hybrid transmission

• US 5,558,595 A
• Filed: 02/17/1995
• Issued: 09/24/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Schmidt, Michael R., Klemen, Donald
• Primary Examiner(s): Wright, Dirk
• Application Number:
  US08/390,186
• Time in Patent Office: 585 Days
• Field of Search: 477/2, 477/3, 475/5
• US Class Current: 477/3
• 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 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/26 for electrical energy, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• 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 2200/2005 with one sets of orbital gears
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2200/2007 with two sets of orbital gears
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 3/72 with a secondary drive, e.g. regulating motor, in order to vary speed continuously
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 3/725 with means to change ratio in the mechanical gearing
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 3/728 with means to change ratio in the mechanical gearing
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/686 with orbital gears
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/91 Orbital, e.g. planetary gears

Abstract

A one-mode, input-split, parallel, hybrid transmission for a vehicle has an input shaft which receives power from the vehicle engine, and an output shaft which delivers power to drive the vehicle. First and second motor/generators are employed, as are energy storage units, such as batteries, for accepting power from, and supplying power to, the first and second motor/generators. A control unit regulates power flow between the energy storage units and the motor/generators as well as between the first and second motor/generators. A planetary gear set has an inner gear member and an outer gear member, each of which meshingly engage a plurality of planet gear members. The input shaft is operatively connected to one of the gear members in the planetary gear set, and the output shaft is operatively connected to one of the other of the gear members in the planetary gear set. The first motor/generator is operatively connected to the remaining gear member in the planetary gear set, and the second motor/generator is in continuous, operative connection with the output shaft.

Claims

1. A hybrid transmission comprising:

an input shaft to receive power from an engine;

an output shaft;

first and second motor/generators;

energy storage means for accepting power from, and supplying power to, said first and second motor/generators;

control means for regulating power flow between said energy storage means and said motor/generators as well as between said first and second motor/generators;

at least a first planetary gear set;

said first planetary gear set having an inner gear member and an outer gear member, each of which meshingly engage a plurality of planet gear members;

said planet gear members are rotatably mounted on a carrier;

said input shaft is operatively connected to said carrier;

said output shaft being operatively connected to said outer gear member of said first planetary gear set;

a selectively operable torque transfer device interposed in the operative connection between said output shaft and said outer gear member in said first planetary gear set;

said first motor/generator operatively connected to said inner gear member of said first planetary gear set; and

,

said second motor/generator being in continuous, operative connection to said output shaft.

2. A hybrid transmission, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a second torque transfer device selectively operable to ground said outer gear member of said first planetary gear set.

3. A hybrid transmission, as set forth in claim 2, further comprising:

a second planetary gear set;

said second planetary gear set having an inner gear member and an outer gear member, each of which meshingly engage a plurality of planet gear members;

said planet gear members in said second planetary gear set being rotatably mounted on a carrier;

said outer gear member being grounded;

said inner gear member directly connected by said second motor/generator;

and,

said output shaft being directly connected by said carrier.

4. A hybrid transmission comprising:

an input shaft to receive power from an engine;

an output shaft;

first and second motor/generators;

energy storage means for accepting power from, and supplying power to, said first and second motor/generators;

control means for regulating power flow between said energy storage means and said motor/generators as well as between said first and second motor/generators;

at least a first planetary gear set;

said first planetary gear set having an inner gear member and an outer gear member, each of which meshingly engage a plurality of planet gear members;

said input shaft is operatively connected to said outer gear member of said first planetary gear set;

a torque transfer device interposed in the operative connection between said input shaft and said outer gear member of said first planetary gear set;

said output shaft being operatively connected to one of the other of said gear members in said first planetary gear set;

said first motor/generator is operatively connected to said inner gear member of said first planetary gear set; and

,

said second motor/generator being in continuous, operative connection to said output shaft.

5. A hybrid transmission, as set forth in claim 4, further comprising:

a second planetary gear set;

said second planetary gear set having an inner gear member and an outer gear member, each of which meshingly engage a plurality of planet gear members;

said planet gear members in said second planetary gear set being rotatably mounted on a carrier;

said outer gear member of said second planetary gear set being grounded;

said inner gear member of said second planetary gear set being operatively connected to said second motor/generator; and

,

said output shaft being operatively connected to said carrier.

6. A hybrid transmission comprising:

an input shaft to receive power from an engine;

an output shaft;

first and second motor/generators;

energy storage means for accepting power from, and supplying power to, said first and second motor/generators;

control means for regulating power flow between said energy storage means and said motor/generators as well as between said first and second motor/generators;

at least a first planetary gear set;

said first planetary gear set having an inner gear member and an outer gear member, each of which meshingly engage a plurality of planet gear members;

said planet gear members are rotatably mounted on a carrier;

said output shaft is operatively connected to said carrier

said input shaft is operatively connected to said outer gear member of said first planetary gear set;

a selectively operable torque transfer device interposed in the operative connection between said output shaft and said carrier

said first motor/generator is operatively connected to said inner gear member of said first planetary gear set; and

,

said second motor/generator being in continuous, operative connection to said output shaft.

7. A hybrid transmission, as set forth in claim 6, further comprising:

a second torque transfer device selectively operable to ground said carrier.

8. A hybrid transmission, as set forth in claim 7, further comprising:

a second planetary gear set;

said second planetary gear set having an inner gear member and an outer gear member, each of which meshingly engage a plurality of planet gear members;

said planet gear members in said second planetary gear set being rotatably mounted on a carrier;

said outer gear member of said second planetary gear set being grounded;

said inner gear member of said second planetary gear set being operatively connected to said second motor/generator; and

,

said output shaft being operatively connected to said carrier.