Abstract: A hybrid vehicle controls operation of an engine, a generator and a motor to retain driving comfort. The engine and the generator are connected through a planetary gear unit to a drive shaft, and the output of the engine 1 is split between the generator and the drive shaft. An engine control system controls the output of the engine by controlling the degree of throttle opening .theta. responsive to engine speed. A generator control system controls electric current IG of the generator in order to achieve a target rotational speed NG*. A vehicle control system supplies a motor control system with a torque signal TM* based on the degree of accelerator opening .alpha. and vehicle speed V, and computes a value for compensatory torque .DELTA.TM from values for generator rotational speed NG and generator torque TG which are supplied from the generator control system. The motor control system controls electric current IM to the motor in accordance with the values for torque TM* and the compensatory torque .DELTA.TM.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle has an engine and a generator/motor connected through a planetary gear unit to an output shaft and the output of the engine is distributed between the generator and the output shaft. The vehicle is smoothly started by a driving motor. When vehicle speed V reaches an engine starting speed V*, the speed of generator/motor is changed to cause the engine to rotate, the engine is ignited and driving continues with the output torque produced by the engine supplemented by the driving motor. The hybrid vehicle allows for a smooth start and improved driving comfort even if an engine interruption scheme for halting the engine is employed, for example, halting the vehicle while waiting for a traffic signal to change.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle with control of the amount of discharge from an oil pump in accordance with the amount needed. The hybrid vehicle includes an oil pump (55) driven by a rotation from a secondary side (a carrier CR) of a one-way clutch (F1), an engine (11), a generator (16), and an output shaft (14) connected by a planetary gear unit (13). The one-way clutch (F1) is provided between the carrier (CR) of the planetary gear unit (13) and the engine (11). The rotation of the carrier (CR) via the planetary gear unit (13) is adjusted by controlling the generator (16) under command of a vehicle control unit (41), to appropriately adjust the amount of discharge from the oil pump (55) based on a detected running load.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle has an internal-combustion engine; an electric motor; a generator from which rotational speed is controlled; an output shaft connected for driving drive wheels; a differential gear unit composed of at least three elements in which a first element is connected to the engine, a second element is connected to the generator, and a third element is connected to the output shaft and the electric motor; electric storage means for supplying electric power to the electric motor and for storing electric power generated in the electric motor and the generator, the electric storage means being electrically connected to both the electric motor and the generator; required minimal load judgment means for judging the required minimal load for driving the vehicle; and generator control means for controlling a rotational speed of the generator and a change rate of the rotational speed, in which the generator control means controls in response to the required minimal load judged by the required minimal load jud

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle in which an engine can always be driven in a highly efficient region in accordance with the required running load. An engine torque of a combustion engine 2, in which an efficiency characteristic can be selected from those in a lean state and in a stoichiometric state, and a motor torque of a generator/motor 3 are transmitted to a driving output system as a driving torque. The combustion engine 2 is always operated in the most efficient state in each efficiency characteristic which is selected, and a vehicle control device 10 adjusts the motor torque by controlling the generator/motor 3 in accordance with the degree an accelerator opens, selects an efficiency characteristic in accordance with the required running load based upon the required running load input by a required running load detecting means, and amends the engine torque variance which is generated when the efficiency characteristic changes with the motor torque.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle in which a sufficient amount of oil can be discharged when an internal combustion engine is operated at low speeds, and which can prevent the oil from being excessively discharged when the internal combustion engine is operated at high speeds. The hybrid vehicle has an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, a generator, and an output shaft for transmitting drive force to drive wheels. The hybrid vehicle also has a differential gear unit which is connected to the internal combustion engine, the electric motor, the generator and the output shaft, a rotating unit, and rotation transmitting device for selectively transmitting to the rotating unit whichever is faster of the rotation transmitted from the internal combustion engine to the differential gear unit and the rotation transmitted from the differential gear unit to the generator. With this structure, the rotating unit can be operated by the electric motor when the internal combustion engine is stopped.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle is provided which can produce a decelerating force without detriment to drive quality. The hybrid vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, an electromechanical unit, an electric motor, a decelerating operation detecting unit for detecting that a decelerating operation has been performed, a differential gear unit having at least a first gear element connected to the electromechanical unit, a second gear element connected to an output shaft and a third gear element connected to the internal combustion engine, an engine controller for bringing the internal combustion engine into a non-driving state when it is detected by the decelerating operation detecting unit that a decelerating operation has been performed.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle which can run under a heavy load without requiring an electric motor large in size or an inverter element of large capacity. The hybrid vehicle includes an internal-combustion engine, an electric machine unit to which the rotation of the internal-combustion engine is input, an electric motor driven by electric current supplied thereto, a differential gear unit including at least three gear elements with a first gear element connected to the electric machine unit, a second gear element connected to an output shaft, and a third gear element connected to the internal-combustion engine, and a stopping device for stopping the rotation of the third gear element. Since the hybrid vehicle can be driven by the driving force of the electric machine unit, the driving force and torque constant of the electric motor can be reduced to that required of the electric machine unit so that the electric motor need not be large in size.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle is capable of complying with a request for immediate acceleration while the vehicle is moving at a low speed and of being powered by a motor small in size so that the vehicle can be small in size and light in weight. The driving force of engine is supplemented by that of a motor. An output shaft is provided between the engine and the motor. A controller responds to a high torque requirement by increasing engine torque. When the vehicle moves normally, the engine is operated in an output range of high efficiency and low-pollution with output to an output shaft shared by a generator and motor, and while the generator generates electric-power, the engine output is combined with the output of the motor to drive the vehicle wheels.

Abstract: A drive system provides a smooth start for a vehicle and converts excess kinetic energy accompanying the difference in speed between the engine and the drive wheels occurring during starting into electrical energy for storage in a battery. The drive system includes a gearbox having at least a first gear element connected to an output shaft of an engine, a second gear element connected to a drive wheel of a vehicle and a third gear element for, by applying a braking torque to the third gear element, reducing the speed of rotation input from the first gear element and outputting it to the second gear element. An engaging element provides selective connection to any of the gear elements for mechanically connecting the output shaft of the engine to the drive wheel.

Abstract: A transmission which allows for relative rotation between an input shaft in an output shaft while lowering fuel consumption. An electric motor/generator has one element fixed to a reaction-force element of a planetary gear unit in low gear. Consequently, when the vehicle is halted, the relative rotation between the input shaft and the output shaft in the transmission can be utilized as a reaction-force to drive the motor/generator as a generator. Since electric power is generated by means of the motor/generator, the generated energy is collected and fuel consumption by the engine is reduced. In other gear stages, the motor/generator is adapted to receive the energy produced when the vehicle is decelerated by means of regenerative braking.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle maintains its travel even if the motor driving system used therein suddenly encounters some problem in operation. The hybrid vehicle has an internal combustion engine and an electric motor with its output connected to an output axle. A clutch is provided to selectively connect the internal combustion engine to the output axle and a hydraulic power transmission is provided between the clutch and the internal combustion engine. A drive power share computer apportions the needed drive power between the engine and the motor. A detector is provided for detecting a malfunction of the motor. A first controller serves to release the clutch when the vehicle is running in a motor drive mode and a second controller effects engagement of the clutch and driving with the engine, even when the vehicle is a motor drive mode, when the detector detects a malfunction of the motor.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle is powered by a drive system including an internal combustion engine, a generator and an electric motor. A differential gear unit includes at least three elements, the first connecting to the generator, the second connecting to a first gear and the third connecting the internal combustion engine. A second gear is connected to the output shaft of the electric motor. A counter shaft carries a third gear meshing with the first and second gears and connects to the differential gear unit. The internal combustion engine, differential gear unit and generator are aligned on a first axis, the electric motor is aligned on a second axis parallel to the first axis, the counter shaft is aligned on a third axis parallel to the first and second axes, the differential gear unit is aligned on a fourth axis parallel to the first, second and third axes, and the third axis is disposed inside of a triangle defined by the first, second and fourth axes when viewed on end.

Abstract: A power transmission system in a hybrid vehicle uses the power developed by an electric motor for directly rotating driving wheels, without power loss in a torque convertor connected to an engine. When the vehicle travels by the power of the engine, an input clutch 7 is engaged so that rotation of an engine output shaft 1a is transmitted to a two-gear shift device 9 via the torque convertor 6, the input clutch 7, and an intermediate shaft 21, whereby driving wheels 33a and 33b are driven by a differential unit 11. While powered by the electric motor, the input clutch 7 is released and the rotation of the electric motor 27 is preferably changed in the shift device 9 before being transmitted to the driving wheels 33a and 33b.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle having an internal combustion engine, a generator connected with an output shaft extending from the internal combustion engine, an electric motor axially aligned with the output shaft, an output gear assembly connected to an output shaft driven by the rotor of the electric motor and positioned between the generator and the electric motor, a clutch adapted to connect and disconnect the generator to/from the output gear assembly, a differential gear unit, and a counter shaft oriented in parallel the output shaft driven by the rotor.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle has an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, a transmission unit and driving wheels. The transmission unit includes a planetary gear unit and a one-way clutch, so that each output rotary speed of the internal combustion engine and the electric motor is changed. The planetary gear unit includes three elements: a ring gear, a sun gear and a carrier having at least one pinion. When the vehicle is in an under-drive cruising state, the first element of the planetary gear unit, which does not rotate, is connected to the output shaft of the internal combustion engine, the second element of the planetary gear unit, which rotates at a relatively high, speed, is connected to the output shaft of the electric motor, and the third element of the planetary gear unit, which rotates at relatively lower speed, is connected to the output shaft of the transmission unit.

Abstract: A structure for regulating the rotational direction of the output shaft of a hybrid vehicle is disclosed. The structure comprises a torque generating means for driving a drive wheel; a gear assembly unit including a first to a third element, the first element being adapted to receive a rotation from the torque generating means and the second element being adapted to transmit the rotation to an output shaft connected to the drive wheel; a case to house the gear assembly unit therein; and a rotation regulation means including a first coupler and a one-way clutch, the coupler and the one-way clutch being connected to the third element of the gear assembly unit, either of the coupler and the one-way clutch being disposed between the third element and the case, the other being disposed between the third element and a different one of the elements, so that the output shaft is only allowed to rotate in one direction when the coupler is coupled.

Abstract: In an overdrive planetary gear unit of an automatic transmission, a helical planetary pinion has its front portion cut to form an cutout portion and to have an axial-direction cross section asymmetrical in the direction of its rotation axis in order to uniformize, in the axial direction, the load imposed upon a bearing disposed around the circumference of the pinion shaft.In a front planetary gear unit of a main transmission of the automatic transmission, a helical planetary pinion has its rear portion cut to form an cutout portion and to have an axial-direction cross section asymmetrical in the direction of its rotation axis in order to uniformize the load imposed upon a bearing disposed around the circumference of the pinion shaft.It is thereby possible to reduce the weight of each planetary pinion and, hence, the centrifugal force acting on the pinion.

Abstract: A stepless belt transmission includes a working fluid control unit having a supply port for supplying working fluid to a hydraulic actuator, a discharge port for discharging the working fluid from the hydraulic actuator, a lead mechanism for changing the working fluid pressure internally of the hydraulic actuator by varying the opening degree of the supply port or discharge port in dependence upon vehicle running conditions, and a follow-up mechanism operatively associated with a movable flange displaced by the changed working fluid pressure to restore the port opening degree varied by the lead mechanism. It is possible to achieve highly sophisticated control of transmission ratio in dependence upon vehicle running conditions through a comparatively simple construction and on the basis of a simple control method in which the stroke of the lead mechanism is suitably regulated.