Specific Vehicle Architecture (ipc) Patents (Class 180/65.22)
  • Publication number: 20140018206
    Abstract: A motor vehicle driven by an internal combustion engine is equipped with at least two auxiliary units and with an electric machine connected to a power source. The electric machine can be coupled to the auxiliary units by means of a dual clutch device. A control device can actuate the dual clutch device for coupling the auxiliary units to the electric machine according to preselected priorities. One or the other auxiliary unit, or all auxiliary units, or no auxiliary unit may be coupled to the electric machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventor: Dirk Bernhardt
  • Publication number: 20140014423
    Abstract: The present invention relates to hybrid drive for vehicles that significantly decreases the consumption of fuel because it uses a turbine motor, which is turned on solely when the charge of the accumulator batteries drops and always works at best rpm. The device increases the distance covered by the vehicle without need for frequent recharge of the batteries from the power supply network. Furthermore, the turbine motor is lighter than the petrol piston engine and in the same time more efficient. The device includes installed accumulator batteries that supply power to at least one electric motor coupled via transmission to the drive wheels of the vehicle, and fuel tank supplying fuel to turbine motor coupled via reducer to generator that is connected to the accumulator batteries. Control unit monitors the charge of the accumulator batteries and turns on and off the turbine motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: Emil DIMITROV, Nikolai GANEV
  • Publication number: 20140011631
    Abstract: Examples include an automatic manual transmission for a hybrid car provided with an internal combustion engine and an electrical machine, the automatic manual transmission presents. Examples include a mechanical gearbox, a differential gear which receives the motion from a secondary shaft of the gearbox and transmits the motion to driving wheels, a clutch which is interposed between the secondary shaft of the gearbox and the differential gear, an auxiliary shaft along which the electrical machine is mounted, a first gear train which connects a first end of the auxiliary shaft arranged upstream of the electrical machine to a primary shaft of the gearbox, and a second gear train which connects a second end of the auxiliary shaft arranged downstream of the electrical machine to an output shaft of the clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventor: Franco Cimatti
  • Publication number: 20140007740
    Abstract: In a vehicle drive device, a response to a range change request, during which the drive wheels are rotated in a low or high range, can be smoothly and quickly completed without using a synchronous engaging mechanism. When the range change is requested when the drive wheels are rotated in the low range or in the high range, the control devices disengage a clutch sleeve from a currently engaged gear piece so as to establish a neutral range, and control an output rotational speed of the motor generator such that a difference between an input rotational speed and an output rotational speed of the transmission mechanism is set to be zero, or be equal to or less than a predetermined value. After that, the control devices cause a connection processor to slide the clutch sleeve to be connected to a connection target gear piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Akinori Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20140004994
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle and method of control are disclosed wherein the ratio of engine speed to vehicle speed varies continuously in some operating modes and is controlled to simulate a discrete ratio transmission in other operating modes. The disclosure specifies the method of controlling the engine speed and the combined output torque of the engine and at least one traction motor in each of the operating modes. Transitions among operating modes occur in response to driver movement of a shift lever, driver operation of shift selectors, and changes in vehicle speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Qing Wang, Ming Lang Kuang, Philip Joseph Wiethe, Jeffrey Randolph Holmes, Ryan Abraham McGee, Fazal Urrahman Syed
  • Publication number: 20140000412
    Abstract: A hybrid drive manual transmission, for a motor vehicle, having two input shafts (GE1, GE2) and one common output shaft. The first shaft (GE1) can connect with a combustion engine drive shaft and can drive the output shaft via a first group of gearwheel sets. The second shaft (GE2) can connect with an electric machine and, via a second group of gearwheel sets, the output shaft. The input shafts (GE1, GE2) can connect with one another via a coupling device. For inexpensive production, the transmission is derived from a double clutch transmission having a hollow input shaft (GE2) and a coaxial inner input shaft (GE1) and a coupling device of which comprises a gear step and/or a shiftable clutch, which replaces that gearset and associated gear clutch. The gearset of the underlying double clutch transmission is allocated to first input shaft (GE1) and adjacent the gear-side end of shaft (GE2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Johannes Kaltenbach
  • Patent number: 8616311
    Abstract: An electrical storage device includes: a conductive battery house casing electrically connected to a chassis; a plurality of battery cells held in the battery house casing; and a control unit that comprises a circuit that manages the plurality of battery cells and is mounted on the battery house casing so that a negative terminal of the circuit and the battery house casing are electrically conducting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Tsurumi, Shinichi Fujino, Sadashi Seto
  • Patent number: 8618752
    Abstract: An electric vehicle accomplishes speed changes through the use of electronically controlled, multiple electric motor configurations that are coupled to an output drive shaft instead of a speed change transmission. A parallel-coupled motor configuration includes at least two motors that are each coupled to the output drive shaft through respective gear arrangements, each gear arrangement having a respective gear ratio. In a serially-coupled motor configuration, the stator of the second motor is coupled to the rotor of the first motor, where the rotor of the second motor is coupled to the output drive shaft. The required torque to reach or maintain a desired vehicle speed can be obtained by selective energization of either one or both of the motors (in both multi-motor configurations). Two motors are also coupled to a differential gear so that the rotational speed contributed by both motors are additive at the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Superior Electron, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher P. Zing, Joachim H. Wiest, Henry T. Fung
  • Publication number: 20130345019
    Abstract: A hybrid drive of a motor vehicle having an automated manual transmission with two input shafts and a common output shaft. The first input shaft can be connected to the drive shaft of an internal combustion engine by a clutch and can be brought into a drive connection to the output shaft by a first group of shiftable gearwheel sets. The second input shaft has a drive connection to the rotor of an electric machine, which can operate as a motor and a generator, and can be brought into a drive connection with the output shaft by a second group of selectively shiftable gearwheel sets. The input shafts can be coupled by coupling-shift element. The hybrid drive is provided with a second electric machine, which can operate as a motor and a generator and has a rotor that can be connected to the first input shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Uwe Griesmeier
  • Publication number: 20130345018
    Abstract: A hybrid drive of a motor vehicle having an automated manual transmission with two coaxial input shafts and a common output shaft. The input shafts are respectively driven by an engine and an electric machine and can couple the output shaft via respective groups of gearwheel sets. Each gearwheel set comprises a gear fixed to the associated input shaft and an idler gear supported by respective countershafts. At least two idler gears disposed on one of the two countershafts of two gearwheel sets, within the transmission, assigned to two different input shafts, can be coupled via a winding-path shift element, and the two output constants are disposed in a common radial plane by using a common output gear disposed on the output shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Matthias Reisch
  • Publication number: 20130345008
    Abstract: A transmission includes a main gearbox and an electric machine. The main gearbox has a primary shaft, a secondary shaft and gear sets, each having a driving gearwheel carried by a respective primary shaft and a driven gearwheel carried by a respective secondary shaft. A first gearwheel and a second gearwheel meshing with each other are idly mounted on the primary shaft and on the secondary shaft, respectively, and are selectively connectable for rotation with the respective shaft by a first coupling device and of a second coupling device, respectively. The electric machine is releasably connected to the first gearwheel or to the second gearwheel, such that with the first coupling device in an engaged position the electric machine is able to transmit torque to the primary shaft on which the first gearwheel is mounted, while with the second coupling device in an engaged position, the electric machine is able to transmit torque to the secondary shaft on which the second gearwheel is mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventor: Claudio TORRELLI
  • Publication number: 20130345009
    Abstract: A vehicle power transmission device includes: a first planetary gear device distributing power from an engine to a first electric motor and a cylindrical output member having an output gear disposed on a portion in an axial center line direction on an outer circumferential side; and a second planetary gear device having a second sun gear coupled to a second electric motor, a second carrier fixed to a case, and a second ring gear coupled to an inner circumference of the cylindrical output member to reduce and transmit output rotation of the second electric motor to the cylindrical output member, the cylindrical output member being supported via a bearing disposed on an inner circumferential side of the cylindrical output member by the second carrier fixed to the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tomoatsu Iwasa
  • Publication number: 20130333517
    Abstract: This transmission include an input shaft to which power is input from an internal combustion engine and an output shaft to which power is input from an electric motor. This transmission has a gear stage (EV) for EV travel (different from the neutral) in which no power transmission system is established between the input and output shafts, and a plurality of gear stages (1-st to 5-th) for HV travel in which a power transmission system is established between the input and output shafts. “1-st” is used in place of “EV” so as to start a vehicle only when EV travel cannot be performed normally. On an H pattern, a “shift completion position for EV” is disposed at a position through which a shift operation member passes during a “shift operation” (operation in the front-rear direction of the vehicle) from a “1-2 selection position” to a “shift completion position for 1-st.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: AISIN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinya Osuka, Yuki Masui
  • Publication number: 20130337972
    Abstract: A power transmitting apparatus for a vehicle includes: an electric supplementary drive unit; a torque converting device including a planetary gear set having a first rotation element connected to the electric supplementary drive unit, a second rotation element connected to an engine, and a third rotation element operated as an output element; an input device including a first input shaft connected to the third rotation element through one clutch and provided with an input gear thereon, and a second input shaft coaxial with the first input shaft without rotational interference, connected to the second rotation element through the other clutch, and provided with an input gear thereon; a direct coupling device selectively connecting two rotation elements among the first, second, and third rotation elements of the torque converting device so as to cause the torque converting device to become a direct-coupling state; and a speed output device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Sueng Ho Lee, Jongsool Park, Hyung Wook Cho
  • Publication number: 20130337973
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a drive device (1) of a motor vehicle, said drive device (1) comprising at least one combustion engine (3) and at least one electric machine (9), as well as a dual clutch transmission (4) which can be functionally connected to the combustion engine (3) and which comprises a first sub-transmission (5), a first clutch (6) being associated therewith, and a second sub-transmission (7), a second clutch (8) and the electric machine (9) being associated therewith. In a purely electrical driving operation, the electric machine (9) is operated in a motorised manner, a driving gear is engaged in the second sub-transmission (7), and both clutches (6, 8) are disengaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Maass, Boyke Richter
  • Publication number: 20130331228
    Abstract: It is provided a control device of a hybrid vehicle having an engine, an electric motor, a clutch disposed in a power transmission path between the engine and the electric motor, and a hydraulic power transmission device with a lockup clutch disposed in a power transmission path between the electric motor and drive wheels, the control device being configured to engage the clutch and provide slip control of the lockup clutch when the engine is started from motor running using the electric motor, and to lower an engagement pressure of the lockup clutch as compared to the case of an engine start caused by an acceleration request from a driver if the start of the engine is an engine start caused by a request from a hybrid system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Terufumi Miyazaki, Yukihiko Ideshio, Toshihiko Kamiya, Shingo Eto, Hironori Asaoka
  • Publication number: 20130331227
    Abstract: A plurality of energy efficiencies of an electric motor which are determined by characteristics of the electric motor are set according to the revolution speed and the driving force of the electric motor, and among the plurality of energy efficiencies, a plurality of energy efficiency groups having the equivalent energy efficiency are prepared. The energy efficiency for each transmission gear of a first input shaft is determined on the basis of a travelling speed and a required driving force of a vehicle. To which group among the plurality of energy efficiency groups that each determined energy efficiency is pertained is determined, and a transmission gear corresponding to the energy efficiency group having the highest energy efficiency among the determined energy efficiency groups is selected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventor: Shingo Kato
  • Patent number: 8602143
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body, a first motor disposed within the vehicle body, a second motor disposed within the vehicle body, and an engine removably disposed on the vehicle body and configured to selectively provide torque to the first motor when disposed on the vehicle body. A climate control compressor is disposed within the vehicle body and is selectively coupled to the first motor. A controller is configured to control the coupling of the climate control compressor to the first motor and to control the coupling of the engine to the first motor. The first motor is configured to generate electrical energy to operate the second motor when coupled to the engine. The controller is further configured to control operation of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Theobald, Edward D. Tate, Jr., Alan G. Holmes
  • Patent number: 8602144
    Abstract: A system for a hybrid vehicle includes an engine; a first inverter coupled to a second inverter; a first electrical machine coupled to the engine and the first inverter; a second electrical machine coupled to the second inverter and a wheel axle of the vehicle; a high voltage battery coupled to both the first inverter and the second inverter; and a switch box disposed between the first electrical machine and the second electrical machine. The switch box includes switches adapted to switch open and closed to allow direct electrical connection from the first electrical machine to the second electrical machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Fisker Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Boskovitch, J. Axel Radermacher
  • Publication number: 20130324359
    Abstract: A power transmission apparatus (11) for four-wheel-drive hybrid vehicle according to the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a front-wheel/rear-wheel driving-force distributor means (21) for distributing rotary powers, which are output from an internal combustion engine (31) as well as a rotary electric appliance (32), between front wheels (91) and rear wheels (93), and then transmitting the rotary powers to them; wherein the front-wheel/rear-wheel driving-force distributor means (21) sets up the following when braking a vehicle: a rear-wheel disconnection mode for disconnecting between the front-wheel/rear-wheel driving-force distributor means (21) and the rear wheels (93); a front-wheel connection mode for connecting between the front-wheel/rear-wheel driving-force distributor means (21) and the front wheels (91); and a regeneration mode for regenerating the rotary powers from the front wheels (91) by the rotary electric appliance (32).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Kan Sasaki, Takeharu Koide, Hirokuni Miyano, Shinji Kitaoka
  • Publication number: 20130324361
    Abstract: A drive system for a hybrid vehicle includes an electric motor including a stator and a rotor, an input hub rotatably connected to an engine, an output hub to which the rotor is mounted, a clutch device connecting and disconnecting the input hub to the output hub, a case including a front sidewall portion, a rear sidewall portion and an outer circumferential wall portion connecting an outer circumferential portion of the front sidewall portion to an outer circumferential portion of the rear sidewall portion and housing the electric motor, the input hub, the output hub and the clutch device, a first bearing on which the input hub is journaled, a second bearing on which the output hub is journaled, and a third bearing positioned between the first bearing and the second bearing and relatively rotatably supporting the input hub and the output hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koji KAMIYAMA
  • Publication number: 20130325226
    Abstract: A trolley assist-capable electric drive truck includes a DC link with first, second and third contactors that may be opened and closed in different configurations to operate the truck in different modes. In a normal propel mode, the three contactors are open and electrical power is routed from an onboard electrical power source to electric propulsion motors. During normal retard mode, the three contactors are closed to route electrical energy generated by the electric propulsion motors through a grid resistor of the DC link. In a trolley mode, the first and second contactors are closed, but the third contactor is open, and electrical power is routed from the trolley lines to the motors for propulsion, or in a reverse direction for retarding the truck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventor: Lewei Qian
  • Publication number: 20130324358
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle is provided for a vehicle that has a normal mode and a power mode as vehicle driving characteristics. The control apparatus includes a continuously variable transmission mechanism that steplessly changes a speed ratio when rotational driving force of an engine output shaft is transmitted to a rotating output shaft; and a control portion that controls the continuously variable transmission mechanism such that, when a rotation speed is increased to a target rotation speed and a required output of an internal combustion engine when the power mode is selected is the same as when the normal mode is selected, the rate of increase in the rotation speed is greater when the power mode is selected than when the normal mode is selected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicants: AISIN AW COMPANY, LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KASHA
    Inventors: Shunsuke OYAMA, Yoichi Tajima, Tomokazu Nomura
  • Publication number: 20130324341
    Abstract: A power transmitting apparatus includes: an electric supplementary drive unit; a torque converting device including a planetary gear set having a first rotation element connected to the electric supplementary drive unit, a second rotation element connected to an engine, and a third rotation element operated as an output element; an input device including a first input shaft selectively connected to the second rotation element through one clutch and provided with at least one input gear fixedly disposed thereon, and a second input shaft disposed on the same axis as the first input shaft without rotational interference with the first input shaft, directly connected to the third rotation element, selectively connected to the second rotation element through the other clutch, and provide with at least one input gear fixedly disposed thereon; and a speed output device converting torque of the input device and outputting the converted torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Hyung Wook Cho, Sueng Ho Lee, Jongsool Park
  • Patent number: 8596391
    Abstract: A method of converting a vehicle having an internal combustion engine, a transmission, an alternator and a battery into a hybrid vehicle is disclosed. The method comprises installing an electric motor to the vehicle that is configured to assist the internal combustion engine in rotating a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine, installing an energy storage element configured to provide power to the electric motor, installing a motor control unit configured to control the amount of power delivered from the energy storage element to the electric motor and replacing an existing pulley on a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine with a new pulley configured to receive a first belt extending between the new pulley and an alternator pulley and a second belt extending between the new pulley and an electric motor pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: KPIT Cummins Infosystems Ltd
    Inventor: Tejas Krishna Kshatriya
  • Patent number: 8590648
    Abstract: A hybrid drive train for a vehicle has an internal combustion engine, first and second electric machines and a transmission that are mechanically connected to one another to drive at least one axle of the vehicle. The internal combustion engine (1) and the first electric machine (2) are provided on an input shaft of the transmission (3), and the second electric machine (4) is provided on an output shaft (6) of the transmission or on an axle of the vehicle. The maximum power and/or the maximum torque of the internal combustion engine are/is substantially larger than the power or torque that can be transmitted by the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Oliver Poschmann, Martin Roth, Klaus Bastian, Marco Fleckner
  • Patent number: 8585541
    Abstract: A combined power transmission and drive unit for use in hybrid systems between a first engine and a transmission device, broadly including at least an input connectable with the engine, a power transmission device by which the output is connected with a transmission input shaft, a device for selectively at least interrupting/establishing the power flow to the input of the power transmission device and an electric machine including at least one rotor that is connected non-rotatably with the input of the power transmission device. Furthermore, the invention relates to a hybrid system, including a first engine and a combined power transmission and drive unit connected downstream of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Bruno Mueller
  • Publication number: 20130297116
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, an engine is accelerated to a speed of a driveline integrated starter/generator before the engine is coupled to the driveline integrated starter/generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Craig Reed, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Adam Nathan Banker, Seung-Hoon Lee
  • Publication number: 20130296088
    Abstract: A drive train for a hybrid vehicle, and which includes an internal combustion engine, at least one electric machine, a first planetary gear and a second planetary gear between a transmission input shaft, which is in drive connection to the output shaft of the internal combustion engine, and a transmission output shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: AVL LIST GMBH
    Inventor: Peter Savage
  • Publication number: 20130296117
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, a transmission, and at least one controller. The at least one controller, in response to a gear shift of the transmission that causes a speed of the engine to exceed a predetermined speed, commands a change in current to the electric machine such that the speed of the engine decreases to a target speed to avoid engine flare.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew John Shelton, Hong Jiang, Felix Nedorezov, Michael John Encelewski
  • Publication number: 20130296089
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a power train for a hybrid vehicle can achieve three or more fixed gear ratio modes where a vehicle is driven at a fixed gear ratio, such as shift stages of common transmission, only by the driving force of an engine without driving a motor generator, as well as an electric vehicle mode, which is the basic drive modes of a hybrid vehicle, and two or more power division modes including an input division mode and a composite mode, thereby driving the vehicle with high efficiency in accordance with traveling conditions of the vehicle and improving fuel efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Baekyu Kim, Kyungha Kim, Jangmi Lee, Sungik Bae, Yeonho Kim, Wansoo Kim
  • Patent number: 8573340
    Abstract: A drive system for an agricultural or industrial utility vehicle. The drive system comprises a drive assembly that generates a mechanical torque, a first, second and third electric machine, a first mechanical output interface used to drive at least one vehicle rude and a second mechanical output interface. An electric machine comprises a rotor which is connected to a shaft in a rotationally fixed manner. A shaft driven by the drive assembly is rotationally connected to the shaft of the first electric machine. The second output interface is used to mechanically drive a tool which can be coupled to the utility vehicle. The shaft of the second electric machine and/or the shaft of the third electric machine can be reversibly connected to the first mechanical output interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Nicolai Tarasinski, Rainer Gugel
  • Publication number: 20130288851
    Abstract: The power transmission system for use in a vehicle includes a power split device to perform power distribution among a flywheel for storing rotational energy as mechanical energy, an internal combustion engine and an electric rotating machine. The power transmission system is provided with an interrupting device configured to interrupt power transmission between a group of the flywheel and the electric rotating machine and a group of the internal combustion engine and drive wheels of the vehicle when rotational energy stored in the flywheel is transmitted to the electric rotating machine through the power split device under condition that power is transmitted between the internal combustion engine and the drive wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Eitarou TANAKA, Takahiro Narita, Tetsuya Nagata
  • Publication number: 20130283972
    Abstract: A vehicle drive device configured with reduced axial dimensions, while still having appropriate lubrication. The vehicle drive device is configured with an input shaft coupled to an engine, a rotary electric machine, and an output shaft coupled to wheels. A power transfer mechanism couples input shaft, the rotary electric machine, and the output shaft. A case houses at least the rotary electric machine and the power transfer mechanism. An oil reserving portion capable of reserving oil supplied by rotation of the power transfer mechanism is provided above the rotor shaft inside the case. A communication oil passage is oriented between the oil reserving portion and an inner circumferential space formed inside the rotor shaft. The rotor shaft is disposed to be inserted into the inside housing space, and has a supply communication hole that communicates between the inner circumferential space and the inside housing space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Yamamoto, Masamitsu Seno, Takuya Komatsu, Natsuki Sada, Hirotaka Yata, Tomoo Atarashi, Hiromichi Kimura, Takeshi Kuwahara, Tatsuo Obata, Michitaka Tsuchida, Yoshinori Morita, Shingo Kato
  • Publication number: 20130288854
    Abstract: A driving device for hybrid vehicle, having an engine, a first motor capable of generating electric power by driving force of the engine, a second motor capable of supplying driving force to drive wheels, a first driving force transmission path for transmitting driving force of the engine to the drive wheels, a second driving force transmission path for transmitting driving force between the first motor and the engine, and a third driving force transmission path for transmitting driving force of the second motor to the drive wheels, includes a second damper capable of absorbing torque fluctuations in the second driving force transmission path and a third damper capable of absorbing torque fluctuations in the third driving force transmission path, in addition to a first damper capable of absorbing torque fluctuations in the first driving force transmission path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Atsushi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8567540
    Abstract: A drive unit for a hybrid electric motor vehicle includes a bevel pinion driveably connected to a power source, a bevel gear meshing with the bevel pinion and aligned with an axis, first and second drive shafts, a differential mechanism including an input secured to the bevel gear for transmitting power between the input and the first and the second drive shafts, an electric motor/generator including a rotor, and a planetary gear set driveably connected to the input and the rotor for transmitting power between the rotor and the input such that a speed of the rotor is greater than a speed of the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: David A. Janson
  • Publication number: 20130280037
    Abstract: An energy conversion device includes a vehicle. The vehicle includes a wheel. The wheel includes a chamber. The chamber is configured to contain a fluid. The fluid is configured to produce centrifugal energy. The wheel is configured to rotate and produce energy from the centrifugal energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventor: Ronald Alan Shires
  • Publication number: 20130281242
    Abstract: A transmission disconnect clutch assembly and method are provided. The clutch assembly operates to place the transmission in a low-loss state, by decoupling the base transmission from the differential gearing, thereby maximizing fuel economy and increasing efficiency. The transmission disconnect clutch assembly may be a dog clutch assembly, which may include a dog clutch hub, a clutch apply plate, and a synchronizer. When the dog clutch is disengaged the vehicle may operate in EV mode, propelled by an electric motor and rear e-axle. When the dog clutch is engaged the vehicle may operate in hybrid mode, propelled by torque transmitted to a front axle by an engine and the torque transmitted to the rear e-axle by the electric motor. A method for transitioning a vehicle between EV mode and hybrid mode, as well as a method for transitioning a vehicle between hybrid mode and EV mode are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: JOSEPH M. TOLKACZ, SHAWN H. SWALES, MIN-JOONG KIM
  • Publication number: 20130281258
    Abstract: A hybrid module for a drive train of a vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a transmission. The hybrid module operates between the internal combustion engine and the transmission and has an electric drive, a clutch, and a freewheel, and the clutch and the freewheel are provided parallel to each other in order to transmit torque from the internal combustion engine toward the transmission, the freewheel transmits torque coming from the internal combustion engine to the transmission and opens for torque directed in the opposite direction, and a portion of the torque produced by the internal combustion transmitted by the freewheel can be set by setting a torque that can be transmitted by the clutch so that the vehicle can be driven by the internal combustion engine or the electric drive or both at the same time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Dierk Reitz, Willi Ruder, Matthias Schneider
  • Patent number: 8556010
    Abstract: A drive unit includes an internal combustion engine with a driven shaft, a transmission with an input shaft, and an electric machine arranged between the internal combustion engine and the transmission and comprising a stator and a rotor which can be coupled at least indirectly to the driven shaft of the internal combustion engine and to the transmission input shaft in order to transmit torque. The drive unit includes a clutch arranged in the torque transmission path between the internal combustion engine and the transmission. To facilitate the decoupling of rotational irregularities occurring in the drivetrain of the hybrid vehicle the drive unit has a first torsional damper and a second torsional damper, and at least the rotor of the electric machine is arranged within a torque transmission path formed between the torsional dampers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Angelika Ebert, Wolfgang Grosspietsch, Robert Reiser, Heinz Bertels, Andreas Ratte, Alexander Markow
  • Publication number: 20130267366
    Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine, electric motor, disconnect clutch and a transmission. The transmission has an input member, an output member, at least four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes actuatable in combinations of three to establish a plurality of forward gear ratios and at least one reverse gear ratio. The electric motor is connected to the input of the transmission and the engine is selectively connected to the input member through the disconnect clutch. A controller is configured to control the operation of the powertrain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Edward W. Mellet, James M. Hart, Daryl A. Wilton
  • Publication number: 20130267367
    Abstract: A device for a drive-train of a hybrid vehicle comprising a planetary gearset having three elements which comprise a carrier, a sun gear and a ring gear. A first elements serves as a fixed connection of a first input shaft of a first partial transmission of a transmission. A second of the elements serves as a fixed connection of a hybrid drive electric machine. A first shifting element connects, in a first position thereof, a third of the elements to a second input shaft of a second partial transmission, to which a hybrid drive combustion engine can be coupled. The first shifting element, when in a second position, connects the third of the elements to the housing or the stator. A second shifting element, when engaged, couples the two input shafts of the two partial transmissions with one another and, when disengaged, separates the two input shafts from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Kai Borntraeger
  • Publication number: 20130267378
    Abstract: A drive device includes an engine, a first motor/generator, and a first planetary gear set group having at least four rotatable members and disposed between the input shaft and the output shaft. Four vertical axes corresponding to the first to fourth rotatable members are arranged in order at intervals corresponding to gear ratios of the group in a common velocity-axis diagram to correspond to a first member to a fourth member, respectively. The first member is connectable with the input shaft. The second member is connectable with the output shaft. The third member is fixable to a stationary part. The fourth member is connected with the first motor/generator. The input shaft is connectable with the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: FINEMECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi HIRAIWA
  • Publication number: 20130260937
    Abstract: A drive mechanism comprises a drive source which is connected by means of a clutch to a transmission which is connected to wheels of the vehicle. The drive mechanism further includes two hybrid modules of which a first module is connected to the drive source and the second module is connected between the transmission and the wheels to the drive line. The first hybrid module comprises a flywheel and a flywheel clutch and the second hybrid module comprises a motor/generator and a further clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Roell Marie Van Druten, Alexander Franciscus Anita Serrarens, Bas Gerard Vroemen
  • Publication number: 20130260938
    Abstract: A drive mechanism has a transmission module which has a first input which is connected to an electromotor/generator, and a second input which is connected to a combustion engine. The transmission module has a planetary gear set having three rotational members of which a first rotational member is connected to the input, a second rotational member is connected to an output, and a third rotational member is connected to a brake. A clutch is positioned between the combustion engine and the third rotational member and a further clutch is positioned between the combustion engine and the first rotational member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Roell Marie Van Druten, Alexander Franciscus Anita Serrarens, Bas Gerard Vroemen
  • Publication number: 20130260935
    Abstract: A transmission with an integrated electric motor includes an input member, an output member, at least four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes actuatable in combinations of three to establish a plurality of forward gear ratios and at least one reverse gear ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: EDWARD W. MELLET, DARYL A. WILTON, JAMES M. HART
  • Patent number: 8544575
    Abstract: A compact and lightweight hybrid vehicle power source employs an integrated engine hybrid electric boost power design that operates on a single battery bank for all electrical functions. An integrated flywheel, cooling fan and a single hybrid electric motor drive, engine starter, electromagnetic regenerative braking device and battery charging alternator are combined. The flywheel alternator/starter/hybrid-drive configuration generates electrical power for battery recharging and parasitic loads, rotates the engine for starting, provides boost power for faster vehicle accelerations, provides regenerative braking for faster decelerations, provides inertia for smooth engine operation, and provides pressurized air for forced convection cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Mainstream Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Robert P. Scaringe, David Sykes, Gregory S. Cole, Robert J. Scaringe
  • Publication number: 20130252774
    Abstract: A vehicle powertrain system including a differential gear set, a planetary gear set coupled to the differential gear set, an engine coupled to the planetary gear set to transfer power between the engine and the planetary gear set, a first electric machine coupled to the planetary gear set via a first clutch and selectively engagable, via actuation of the first clutch, to transfer power between the first electric machine and the planetary gear set, and a second electric machine coupled to the planetary gear set via a second clutch and selectively engagable, via actuation of the second clutch, to transfer power between the second electric machine and the planetary gear set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: McMaster University
    Inventors: Piranavan Suntharalingam, Ali Emadi
  • Publication number: 20130248274
    Abstract: A work machine in which the engine and power output system is to be contained within a minimal volume in an engine compartment. A gear housing is mounted to and receives the output of the internal combustion engine and has side by side gears meshing with a first input gear, one of which drives a generator and the other drives an internal lubricant pump as well as an external hydraulic pump. The gears are in substantially the same plane. The output of the generator is connected via a controller to a motor which drives a transmission system for driving the wheels of the vehicle. The gear housing permits placement of additional components within the engine compartment while taking up a minimum volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: Danny G. Voth, Kyle K. McKinzie, Galen R. Love
  • Publication number: 20130252773
    Abstract: A powertrain system for a vehicle is provided. The powertrain system includes an internal combustion engine, a first gearset connected to the internal combustion engine, a first electric machine connected to the first gearset, a drivetrain gear for connection to a drivetrain of the vehicle, a second gearset connecting the first gearset to the drivetrain gear, a second electric machine, and at least one dynamic clutch selectively coupling the second electric machine to the first electric machine, the first gearset, and the second gearset. In a first mode of operation, the at least one dynamic clutch couples the second electric machine and the first electric machine. In a second mode of operation, the at least one dynamic clutch couples the second electric machine and the first gearset. In a third mode of operation, the at least one dynamic clutch couples the second electric machine and the second gearset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: McMaster University
    Inventors: Piranavan Suntharalingam, Ali Emadi