Orbital (e.g., Planetary Gears) (epo/jpo) Patents (Class 903/910)
  • Patent number: 11607947
    Abstract: A hybrid power train structure for off-road vehicles (ATVs, UTVs and SSVs) uses an internal combustion engine (“ICE”) rotating a crankshaft through a continuously variable transmission (“CVT”) as a primary source of locomotion torque, but also includes a driving/generator motor which, in certain established conditions, can either provide an additional or alternative source of locomotion torque or can harvest electricity from the torque created by the internal combustion engine. The driving/generator motor is an axial flux motor of small size for its relative torque output, which can either be directly coupled to the CVT output shaft or, when additionally used as a starter motor for the ICE in an automatic ICE starting and stopping routine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Zhejiang CFMOTO Power Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jiajun Li
  • Patent number: 11585413
    Abstract: A power transmission apparatus of a hybrid electric vehicle includes an input shaft configured of receiving an engine torque, a motor shaft configured of receiving a torque of a motor/generator, first and second planetary gear sets respectively having first to third rotation elements and fourth to sixth rotation elements, a first shaft connected to the first rotation element and selectively connectable to each of the input shaft and the motor shaft, a second shaft fixedly connecting the second and fifth rotation elements, and selectively connectable to the input shaft, the motor shaft, and a transmission housing, respectively, a third shaft fixedly connecting the third and fourth rotation elements and selectively connectable to the transmission housing, a fourth shaft fixedly connecting the sixth rotation element and an output gear, and a plurality of engagement elements including at least one clutch and at least one brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Hyu Tae Shim, Bong Hyun Cho, Jae Young Jeon, Byung Dae Choi, Hyung-Min Kim, Jin Yong Kim, Gwang Soo Hwang, Jun Seong Kang
  • Patent number: 11585412
    Abstract: A transmission includes an input assembly, an electric machine, a variator and a power shift assembly. The input assembly has directional clutches and is configured to receive rotational engine power. The variator has only a single planetary set configured to selectively receive rotational power from the electric machine and from the input assembly. The power shift assembly is configured to receive rotational power from the variator. Power shift clutches are configured to dissipate energy from asynchronous gear meshing and include a first power shift clutch carried by a first countershaft and a second power shift clutch carried by a second countershaft. The power shift assembly is configured to effect multiple different rotational power flows to effect unique gear ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas G. Ore, Clement V. Godbold
  • Patent number: 11584356
    Abstract: A method of controlling charging of a battery may include making, by a controller, the battery that supplies power to a drive motor start to be charged with a boosted voltage higher than a voltage of a fast charger by controlling a switch connecting the drive motor and the fast charger of a vehicle and a switch of an inverter driving the drive motor, for fast charging of the battery; determining, by the controller, whether a motor position sensor has failure according to an output signal of the motor position sensor which detects a position of the drive motor; engaging, by the controller, an engine clutch that is configured to connect or disconnect the engine of the vehicle and the drive motor, when the controller determines that the motor position sensor has the failure; and maintaining, by the controller, the fast charging for the battery when a rotation of the drive motor stops after the engine clutch is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yong Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 11565686
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle control apparatus including a torque converter temperature detector detecting a torque converter temperature, a rotor temperature detector detecting a rotor temperature, a stator temperature detector detecting a stator temperature, and an electronic control unit including a microprocessor. The microprocessor is configured to perform controlling an engine, a transmission, a lockup clutch, a motor-generator and a stator cooling device based on the torque converter temperature detected by the torque converter temperature detector, the rotor temperature detected by the rotor temperature detector and the stator temperature detected by the stator temperature detector so that the torque converter temperature is equal to or lower than a first predetermined temperature, the rotor temperature is equal to or lower than a second predetermined temperature and the stator temperature is equal to or lower than a third predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuya Tachibanada, Yutaka Ishikawa, Shintaro Kameda
  • Patent number: 11554674
    Abstract: Described herein relates to a system of and method for recovering energy and providing power in a multi-source transmission assembly, in which the transmission assembly includes secondary power sources in combination with a primary power source, where the secondary power sources are in reverse rotation with respect to the primary power source, such that energy is recovered during deceleration or the secondary power sources power the vehicle as needed. During the translation of a vehicle employing the transmission assembly, at least one motor may function, as needed, to propel the vehicle forward. During times in which the vehicle may not positively accelerating, at least one of the motors may switch to a generator mode to generate energy to be stored in a vehicle battery. As such, at least one of the motor power sources may recover an amount of energy expended by the vehicle during acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: 21st Green Vehicle Drive Systems LLC
    Inventor: Earl E. Irwin
  • Patent number: 11555536
    Abstract: A power transmission device includes a motor, a first planetary reduction gear connected downstream of the motor, a second planetary reduction gear connected downstream of the first planetary reduction gear, a differential gear connected downstream of the second planetary reduction gear, a drive shaft connected downstream of the differential gear, and a case member. The drive shaft penetrates an inner circumference of a rotor of the motor, an inner circumference of a sun gear of the first planetary reduction gear, and an inner circumference of a sun gear of the second planetary reduction gear. A portion of the differential case positioned between the first planetary reduction gear and the second planetary reduction gear is supported at an inner circumference side of a portion of the case member with a first bearing being interposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Jateo Ltd
    Inventor: Toshikazu Oshidari
  • Patent number: 11536184
    Abstract: A catalyst deterioration determining device for use in a straddled vehicle having an engine, a transmission that transmits motive power of an engine, and a catalyst that cleans an exhaust gas from the engine. The catalyst deterioration determining device includes a running state acquirer that acquires a plurality of running states, a state determiner that stores a plurality of allowable conditions, each of which is a condition for determining work in regard to a degradation state of the catalyst to be executed and is based on a relationship among a plurality of gear ratios of the transmission, an intake state of the engine and a rotation speed of the engine, and determines whether the plurality of running states acquired by the running state acquirer satisfy the plurality of allowable conditions, and a determination executor that executes the determining work based on a result of the determination by the state determiner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuta Shimizu, Ryo Tomii, Tatsuya Aoyama
  • Patent number: 11535236
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle hybrid propulsion system is provided. The propulsion system includes an internal combustion engine, first and second clutches, an electric motor, and a gearbox having an input shaft and an output shaft connected to drive wheels. The method includes a first operating mode of starting the engine by the motor, a second operating mode of actuating a gear shift, and a third operating mode which actuates starting of the engine and the gear shift. The method includes passing from the first to the third operating modes even if starting of the engine has not been completed, or passing from the second to the third operating modes even if actuation of the gear shift has not been completed, so that the transition from one operating mode to another can be freely actuated at any time, depending upon operating conditions of the hybrid propulsion system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignees: C.R.F. Società Consortile per Azioni, Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dario Morina, Simone Martina, Dario Del Pin, Emanuel Corigliano, Timo Kersting, Johannes Gimpl
  • Patent number: 11524671
    Abstract: A method for controlling a start of a mild hybrid vehicle that includes an engine, a starter-generator starting the engine or generating electricity by an output of the engine, a starter starting the engine, and a battery supplying electric power to the starter-generator may include: determining, by a controller configured for controlling an operation of the vehicle, whether a start of the vehicle is requested; checking, by the controller, current limit data of the battery when the start of the vehicle is requested; checking, by the controller, start torque current data of the starter-generator according to state data of the vehicle; comparing, by the controller, the current limit data with the start torque current data; and starting, by the controller, the engine using the starter-generator or the starter according to a result of the comparing, by the controller, the current limit data with the start torque current data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Hwa Yong Jang
  • Patent number: 11512772
    Abstract: A planetary gear apparatus for a power transmission apparatus including a transmission housing includes a sun gear provided on a first shaft, first and second planet carriers rotatably supporting pinion gears gear-engaged with the sun gear, and a ring gear gear-engaged with the pinion gears, where an internal circumference of the sun gear is spline-engaged with an external circumference of the first shaft, where first and second support shafts are fixed to first and second side surfaces of the ring gear, respectively, where the first support shaft is rotatably supported by a supporting frame fixed to the transmission housing, interposing a first bearing, where the second support shaft is rotatably supported by the transmission housing, interposing a second bearing, where the first planet carrier is rotatably supported by the first support shaft interposing a third bearing, and where the second planet carrier is fixedly connected to a connection end portion of a second shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Chulmin Ahn, Baekyu Kim, SungGon Byun, Junyoung Ha, Donghui Cheon, Jieun Kim, Yohan Kim, Sun Sung Kwon, Suhyeon Maeng
  • Patent number: 11505056
    Abstract: A P1 hybrid module for a vehicle includes a housing, a motor stator, an input shaft, a resolver rotor, an output flange, a motor rotor, a housing plate, and a resolver stator. The housing is arranged for fixing to an engine and a multi-speed transmission. The motor stator is fixed to the housing. The input shaft is arranged for driving connection to a flange of a damper. The resolver rotor is fixed to the input shaft. The output flange is arranged for fixing to a torque converter. The motor rotor is rotatably fixed to the output flange. The housing plate is fixed to the housing by a first fastener. The resolver stator is fixed to the housing plate radially outside of the resolver rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: John Ramsey, Markus Steinberger, Matthew Payne
  • Patent number: 11493126
    Abstract: A method for operating a drive train, having a main and, an auxiliary drive and a speed modulation gearbox with a fixed mechanical transmission ratio between the two drives, for starting and towing a drive train to a defined set rotational speed. The main drive is started via a direct-on-line-start with direct coupling to a supply network. The auxiliary drive is started simultaneously with at a time before or at a time after the main drive. For towing the drive train to the defined set rotational speed, which corresponds to a defined percentage of a rated rotational speed of the drive train, the main drive is operated motorically in forward mode at least at times and accelerated to its rated rotational speed, wherein parallel to this the auxiliary drive is operated motorically in reverse mode at least at times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: RENK GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Paula, Philip Schweiger, Marcus Köhnlein
  • Patent number: 11453383
    Abstract: Disclosed are a hybrid vehicle and a method of calculating driving load therefor for determining a more effective gear shift reference in consideration of a driving mode. The method of controlling gear shift of a hybrid vehicle includes predicting required power of a forward driving path, determining a representative driving mode based on mode switch power as a reference of switch between a first driving mode using only an electric motor and a second driving mode using at least an engine and the predicted required power, and applying any one of a first gear shift map corresponding to the first driving mode based on the determined representative driving mode or a second gear shift map corresponding to the second driving mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jea Mun Lee
  • Patent number: 11440395
    Abstract: An electrified vehicle torque transfer system includes, among other things, an engine having an engine shaft, an electric machine having an electric machine shaft, a first clutch that is selectively engaged to rotatably couple together the engine shaft and the electric machine shaft such that the engine can drive rotation of the electric machine, and a second clutch that is selectively engaged to rotatably couple together the engine shaft and the electric machine shaft such that the electric machine can drive rotation of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Guopeng Hu, Zhengyu Dai, Michael Tekletsion Berhan
  • Patent number: 11427180
    Abstract: A control method for a hybrid vehicle (1) is provided. The hybrid vehicle includes an electric motor (13) that drives the vehicle to travel, a generator (12) that supplies power to the electric motor, and an engine (11) that drives the generator. The control method includes storing the timing at which an amount or factor of change in target driving force (Fd) for the vehicle becomes a predetermined threshold or more, calculating an estimated trajectory of the rotational speed of the engine in accordance with the amount or factor of change in the target driving force, and when an increase request for power generation is issued to the engine at different timing than the timing, controlling the rotational speed of the engine on the basis of the calculated estimated trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Ariyoshi, Satomi Eto
  • Patent number: 11420513
    Abstract: A hybrid drivetrain for a hybrid-driven vehicle, having a transmission, which can be shifted by shifting elements into different transmission steps, and which is connectable via an internal combustion engine shaft to an internal combustion engine, via an electric machine shaft to an electric machine, and via an output shaft to at least one vehicle axis. The internal combustion engine shaft and a pinion shaft, which can be connected with respect to drive to the output shaft, are connectable via spur gearwheel sets, which can be shifted by means of shifting elements and which each form wheel levels, of which at least one hybrid wheel level is additionally connectable to the electric machine shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Steffen Hummel
  • Patent number: 11415061
    Abstract: A power distribution device between an electric starter of a turbomachine and an electric machine toward a shaft of the turbomachine, including the electric starter, the electric machine, and a controller for controlling the electric machine. An epicyclic train reducer includes a first element intended to be coupled to the shaft, a second element coupled to the electric starter, and a third element intended to be rotated by the electric machine. The controller is configured to rotate the third of the three elements so as to obtain two bearings of reduction ratios of the speeds between the first of said three elements and the second of the three elements. The controller is configured to drive the torque of the third of the three elements in accordance with a determined output torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Huguette De Wergifosse, Nicolas Bertrand Georges De Blois, Clement Dupays, Pierre Gerard Lalonde
  • Patent number: 11402018
    Abstract: An alternator driving apparatus for driving an alternator may include a crank pulley mounted on a crank shaft of an engine, an alternator pulley connected to the crank pulley through a driving belt, an alternator shaft connected between the alternator and the alternator pulley, and a rotation speed varying mechanism configured to vary a rotation speed of the alternator shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jong Hyuck Kim
  • Patent number: 11378047
    Abstract: An accessory drive, including a planetary gear set with a plurality of components arranged to be concentrically disposed around a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine. The plurality of components includes: a sun gear; a planet carrier; a ring gear; and a planet gear meshed with the sun gear and the ring gear. A first component of the planetary gear set: is arranged to non-rotatably connect to a rotor of an electric motor/generator; and is arranged to connect to a power transfer component for least one accessory. A second component of the planetary gear set is arranged to non-rotatably connect to the crankshaft. For a starting mode of the accessory drive, the electric motor/generator is arranged to: rotate the first component of the planetary gear set; and rotate the second component of the planetary gear set with respect to the first component of the planetary gear set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Jeffrey Hemphill
  • Patent number: 11374460
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a first rotating electric machine, a second rotating electric machine, a power transmission device and an accommodation case. The rotating electric machine accommodation portion and the power transmission device accommodation portion are partitioned by a partition wall. The partition wall includes a first rotating electric machine accommodation wall, a second rotating electric machine accommodation wall, and a step wall which extends in the axial direction from the second rotating electric machine accommodation wall to the first rotating electric machine accommodation wall. The step wall is at least partially overlapped with the second rotating electric machine in the axial direction, and a distance between an outermost diameter portion of the second rotating electric machine and the step wall is shorter than a distance between the outermost diameter portion of the second rotating electric machine and an outermost diameter portion of the first rotating electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Norifumi Yasuda
  • Patent number: 11326570
    Abstract: A combination starter-generator device includes a power transmission assembly with first and second planetary gear set stages. One or more of the planetary gear set stages includes an idler gear and a ring gear. A clutch arrangement is coupled to effect a delivery mode in which power flows in a first power flow direction and a generation mode in which power flows in a second power flow direction. In delivery mode, input power is received in the first rotational direction from the electric machine and output power is provided in the first rotational direction to the engine as the first power flow direction. In generation mode, one or more of the planetary gear set stages receives input power in the first rotational direction and outputs power in the first rotational direction to the electric machine as the second power flow direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Lisa R. Lloyd, Jeffrey S. Turner, Douglas S. Base
  • Publication number: 20150107408
    Abstract: A hybrid drive of a motor vehicle includes a combustion engine, an electric machine, a gear box, and a superimposed transmission. The gearbox includes an input shaft, and first and second output shafts, and the input shaft is connected to the first and second output shafts via switchable spur gear stages. The superimposed transmission is connected non-rotatably to a hollow shaft arranged coaxially with the second output shaft. The hollow shaft is connected non-rotatably to an idler of an axially adjacent switchable spur gear stage via a first coupling-switching element, and the hollow shaft is fixed at a housing via an interlock switching device. A bridging contact member connects the hollow shaft to the superimposed transmission, and the superimposed transmission is also permanently connected to a rotor of the electric machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Johannes KALTENBACH, Uwe GRIESMEIER, Daniel ORTNER
  • Publication number: 20150105205
    Abstract: A downsized drive unit for vehicles having an SOWC is provided. A motor 2 is held in a casing 31 opening toward an axially opposite side of the engine 1, and the opening 31a of the casing 31 is closed by a covering member 32. In order to selectively restrict any of forward and backward rotation of any of rotary members, the SOWC 8 is disposed coaxially with the motor 2 in an inner side of the covering member 32 and attached to the covering member 32.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuki KUROSAKI, Hiroyuki SHIOIRI, Hideaki KOMADA, Hiroyuki SHIBATA, Hiroki YASUI, Hong Nam DANG
  • Publication number: 20150099600
    Abstract: An electrical axle for a four wheeled road vehicle is provided. The electrical axle comprises an electrical propulsion motor (110) arranged coaxially on said axle (100), a differential mechanism (120) being connected to said electrical propulsion motor for driving two wheels arranged on a first side (160) and a second side (162) of said electrical axle (100), and an electrical torque vectoring motor (132) arranged coaxially on said axle (100) and connected to said fist side (160) and second side (162) for providing a change in torque distribution between said first side (160) and said second side (162) of said axle (100), wherein the diameter of the torque vectoring motor (132) is less than the diameter of the electrical propulsion motor (110).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Kristoffer Nilsson, Gustaf Lagunoff
  • Publication number: 20150018152
    Abstract: A drive control device for a hybrid vehicle is provided with a differential device including four rotary elements; and an engine, first and second electric motors and an output rotary member which are respectively connected to said four rotary elements. One of said four rotary elements is constituted by a rotary component of a first differential mechanism and a rotary component of a second differential mechanism selectively connected through a clutch, and one of the rotary components is selectively fixed to a stationary member through a brake. Said drive control device reengages the brake after an engagement capacity of the brake is temporarily reduced at the time of accelerating operation during decelerating running in a motor drive mode with the brake placed in an engaged state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hajime Kato, Hiroki Kuwamoto
  • Patent number: 8905892
    Abstract: A power transmission system of a hybrid electric vehicle includes: an input shaft; a first shaft; a first planetary assembly on the first shaft, and including a first element connected to a first motor/generator, a second element connected to an output gear through a second shaft without rotational interference with the first shaft, and a third element connected to the input shaft; a second planetary assembly on the first shaft including a fourth element connected to a second motor/generator through the first shaft and selectively connected to the input shaft, a fifth element connected to the second element, and a sixth element selectively connected to a housing; transfer gears; and frictional elements selectively connecting one element of the second planetary assembly to the input shaft, directly coupling the second planetary assembly, or selectively connecting another element of the second planetary assembly to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Chang Wook Lee, Jongsool Park
  • Patent number: 8894525
    Abstract: In a driving apparatus for a hybrid vehicle having an internal combustion engine and first and second electric rotating machines, it is configured to have a speed increasing mechanism that increases speed of an output of the engine inputted through an input shaft and transmits it to the first electric rotating machine; a speed reducing mechanism that reduces speed of an output of the second electric rotating machine and transmits it to an output shaft; a first clutch adapted to connect and disconnect a first driving force transmission path coupling the speed increasing mechanism and the output shaft; and a second clutch adapted to connect and disconnect a second driving force transmission path coupling the engine and the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Soichi Sugino
  • Patent number: 8874332
    Abstract: A system and method involves a machine having a power train including a continuously variable transmission (CVT) associated with a plurality of virtual gear ratios. To shift between the plurality of virtual gear ratios, the machine may include an operator input device that may be movable between a plurality of distinct positions. A first position may be associated with a neutral position in which no shifting of virtual gear ratios occurs. A second position of the operator input device may be associated with a first incremental rate for shifting between the virtual gear ratios. A third position may be associated with a second incremental rate for shifting between the virtual gear ratios which is different than the first incremental rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Davis, Adam Nackers, Michael D. Beyer, Shane C. McBride
  • Patent number: 8868274
    Abstract: Providing a control apparatus for a vehicular drive system, which is configured to implement a torque reduction control during a shifting action of an automatic transmission, and which permits reduction of the size and cost of an electric circuit including a smoothing capacitor. An electricity-generation-amount-variation restricting region A01 is predetermined such that a point of a vehicle running state lies in the electricity-generation-amount-variation restricting region A01 prior to a moment of determination to perform a shifting action of the automatic transmission, and electricity-generation-amount-variation restricting means 96 implements an electricity-generation-amount-variation restricting control to restrict a rate of increase of a total amount of an electric energy generated by first and second electric motors MG1 and MG2, to a predetermined upper limit value LTGN, when the point of the vehicle running state has moved into the electricity-generation-amount-variation restricting region A01.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Shiiba, Takeshi Kanayama, Talyo Uejima, Daiki Sato
  • Patent number: 8834314
    Abstract: A regenerative brake device for a vehicle includes an output shaft (14) of a combustion engine (4), an input shaft (27) of a gearbox (8), an electrical machine (6) having a stator (24) and a rotor (26), and a planetary gear (10) which comprises a sunwheel (18), a ring gear (20) and a planet wheel carrier (22). The engine output shaft (14) is disconnectably connectable to the planetary gear (10) by a movable piston (16) which in a first position connects the engine output shaft (14) to the planetary gear (10) and in a second position disconnects the gearbox input shaft from the planetary gear. Also a method for regenerative braking of a vehicle (1) for such a regenerative brake device (2) is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Scania CV AB
    Inventor: Mikael Bergquist
  • Patent number: 8784245
    Abstract: A drive system includes a transmission mechanism that establishes a plurality of gear positions comprising a first-speed through sixth-speed gear positions and a reverse-drive gear position, by switching among change gear trains and coupling a first driveshaft to an output member, and also includes a lock clutch that switches a power distribution mechanism between a locked state in which a ring gear and a carrier are coupled to each other and are inhibited from rotating in a differential fashion, and a released state in which the inhibition of the differential rotation is cancelled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukihiko Ideshio, Shigeru Okuwaki, Hiroyuki Shibata, Tomohito Ono, Seiji Masunaga, Makoto Funahashi
  • Patent number: 8702546
    Abstract: A device for a drive-train of a hybrid vehicle having a planetary gear system that comprises three elements, namely, a ring gear, sun gear and carrier. A first element of these elements of the planetary gear system has a fixed connection with a transmission input shaft of a transmission. A second element of the elements of the planetary gear system has a fixed connection with an electric machine of a hybrid drive. A clutch which can couple two of the three elements of the planetary gear system with one another. Additionally, a shifting element is provided by which a third element, of these three elements of the planetary gear system, can be coupled, in a first shift position, to an internal combustion engine of the hybrid drive and, in a second shift position, to one of a housing or a stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Kai Borntraeger
  • Patent number: 8696512
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an electro-mechanical transmission including a transmission output shaft and first and second transmission input shafts selectively coupleable for rotation with a first torque generative device. A planetary gear set including first, second and third members and a reduction gear set selectively coupling the first transmission input shaft for rotation with the first member and selectively coupling the second transmission input shaft for rotation with the third member. A first gear set input shaft is selectively coupled for rotation with the first transmission input shaft and coupled for rotation with the reduction gear set. A second gear set input shaft is selectively coupleable for rotation with the second transmission input shaft and coupled for rotation with the reduction gear set. A second torque generative device is coupleable for rotation with one of the first and second gear set input shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Ethiraj Shivashankar Goutham
  • Patent number: 8672068
    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: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: David A. Janson
  • Patent number: 8663061
    Abstract: A gear shifting method of a hybrid vehicle may include releasing a clutch and brake of a transmission and determining a neutral condition status, controlling torque of an engine connected to one operational element of a first planetary gear set in a neutral condition, and controlling speed of a first motor/generator connected to the other operational element of the first planetary gear set. Accordingly, a speed of the first and second motor/generator are controlled and a torque of the engine is controlled in a neutral or parking state of a shift lever such that a mode change becomes easy and the torque of the engine is continuously controlled to improve a shift quality and a driving performance and to save fuel, while the neutral or parking state is changed to a drive or reverse state or the drive or reverse state is changed to the neutral or parking state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Seok Young Yun
  • Patent number: 8639423
    Abstract: A variable power split device having radially inner and outer races, each comprising at least two axially spaced parts. A plurality of planetary members are arranged for rolling contact between the races and a planet follower carrier engages the planetary members. A first rotatable power element spindle connects with the planet follower to couple power between the planet follower carrier and a first power element. A second rotatable power element spindle connects with the inner race to couple power between the inner race and a second power element. A third rotatable power element spindle connects with the outer race to couple power between the outer race and a third power element. Means for adjusting axial separation adjust separation of the axially spaced parts of at least one of the races to vary a power split ratio between the first, second and third rotatable power element spindles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Orbital Traction Limited
    Inventors: Stuart Schaaf, Sam Akehurst
  • Patent number: 8626367
    Abstract: An exemplary method for operating a hybrid vehicle in the event that there is a problem with an auxiliary power source, such as an internal combustion engine or a fuel cell. According to one embodiment, the method provides a power management scheme for a variety of situations where an auxiliary power source experiences a problem; this may include situations where an internal combustion engine runs out of fuel, where there is a mechanical or electrical malfunction, or any other instance where the auxiliary power source is unable to generate and/or provide electrical energy for the hybrid vehicle. The power management scheme conserves the vehicle's primary power source, which is typically a battery, in order to provide the hybrid vehicle with an extended driving range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Eric E. Krueger, Christopher A. Kinser, William R. Cawthorne, Aniket Kothari
  • Publication number: 20130333958
    Abstract: A crawler vehicle having a first and second track driven by a first and second drive wheel respectively; an internal combustion engine; a mechanical power transmission assembly extending from the internal combustion engine to the first and second drive wheel; an electric power transmission assembly; a mechanical power connection configured to transfer energy between the mechanical power transmission assembly and the electric power transmission assembly; and at least one mechanical power transmission configured to transfer energy between the electric power transmission assembly and the mechanical power transmission assembly; the electric power transmission assembly extending from the mechanical power connection to the mechanical power transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Klaus Kalmbach, Mathias Lutz, Gianluca Milan, Alberto Giacometti, Martin Runggaldier
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8562480
    Abstract: A powertrain includes an Electric Torque Converter (ETC) assembly interconnecting a primary power source and a transmission. An ETC clutch connects a clutched ETC input from the ETC assembly to an output of the primary power source. A primary transmission clutch connects a clutched input of the transmission to the output of the primary power source. An ETC output from the ETC assembly is directly connected to a fixed input of the transmission. The ETC assembly includes a planetary gearset interconnecting the clutched ETC input and the ETC output of the ETC assembly. An electric motor is coupled to the planetary gearset and configured to provide a torque thereto. The torque may be directed to either the fixed input of the transmission through the ETC output of the ETC assembly, or to the output of the primary power source through the clutched ETC input of the ETC assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Edward W. Mellet, Shawn H. Swales, Andrew W. Phillips
  • Patent number: 8527130
    Abstract: A hybrid drive apparatus includes: a drive power source that includes an internal combustion engine, a first electric motor, and a second electric motor; a power transmission mechanism that includes a carrier, a sun gear, and a ring gear, and that is configured to rotate the output shaft of the internal combustion engine by the first electric motor; and plural bearings that each includes an outer ring member and an inner ring member fitted to the outer ring member through a rolling element, and that are provided apart from each other in an axial direction of the output shaft with the carrier being positioned between the bearings. An inner periphery of the outer ring member is positioned more inward in a radial direction of the ring gear relative to a meshing portion between inner teeth of the ring gear and outer teeth of one of the pinion gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Kitahata, Tatsuo Obata, Takeshi Kuwahara, Hiromichi Kimura, Toru Saito, Masahiro Tanae
  • Publication number: 20130143706
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain is provided for a vehicle that has a first axle and a second axle. The hybrid powertrain includes an engine, a stationary member, and an electrically-variable transmission that has a first and a second interconnected planetary gear set and a first and a second motor/generator. The engine, the first motor/generator, the second motor/generator and the first axle are each operatively connectable for rotation with a different member of the first and the second planetary gear sets. The powertrain has an electric drive unit that has reduction gearing and a third motor/generator. The third motor/generator and the second axle are each operatively connected to a different member of the third planetary gear set. The powertrain is operable in a compound-split operating mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Alan G. Holmes, Shawn H. Swales, Norman Schoenek
  • Publication number: 20130072337
    Abstract: A hybrid power train for vehicles uses a double clutch transmission (DCT) to further improve the fuel efficiency of a vehicle, obtain a sporty transmission, and prevent the entire length thereof from being excessively lengthened, thereby sufficiently securing the ability of being mounted in a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jin Woo Lee, Jeong Heom Kam
  • Publication number: 20130012347
    Abstract: A powertrain includes a countershaft, a gearset including a sun gear, a carrier connected to an engine, a ring gear releaseably held against rotation and connectable to the countershaft, and pinions supported on the carrier and meshing with the sun gear and ring gear, an electric machine connected to the sun gear and connectable to the countershaft, and a second electric machine driveably connected to the countershaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Walt J. Ortmann, Brandon R. Masterson
  • Publication number: 20120329593
    Abstract: Provided are alternative hybrid transmission systems for vehicles, as well as, propulsion systems and vehicles comprising such transmission systems, to improve various propulsion systems using a combination of at least two power sources with the option for simultaneous or alternating power input from two or more power sources, while providing desired characteristics or components. Such characteristics or components can include, but are not limited to: power, torque, acceleration, cruising speed or power, fuel efficiency, battery charging, endurance, power sizing, weight, capacity, efficiency, speed, mechanically and/or electrically added system requirements, design, fuel selection, functional design, structural design, lift to drag ratio, weight, and/or other desired characteristic or component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Daniel Larrabee, Thomas Northrop Wormer, Matthew Rhoade, Eric Serani, Joshua B. Marshman, Cody Humbarger, Daniel Gaide, Derek Hillery, Alec Velazco, Eric Petersen, Jean Nicolas Koster
  • Publication number: 20120316021
    Abstract: A power transmission system of a hybrid electric vehicle includes an input shaft, a first planetary gear set having first, second, and third rotation elements, the second directly connected to the input shaft, and the third directly connected to a first motor/generator, a second planetary gear set having fourth, fifth, and sixth rotation elements, the fourth directly connected to the first rotation element and a second motor/generator, and the fifth selectively connected to the second rotation element, an output gear connected to the sixth rotation element, a first clutch selectively connecting the second rotation element with the fifth rotation element, a second clutch selectively connecting two rotation elements among the rotation elements of the first planetary gear set, a first brake interposed between the fifth rotation element and a transmission housing, and a second brake interposed between the third rotation element and the transmission housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Baekyu Kim, Jang Mi Lee, Sungik Bae, Yeonho Kim
  • Publication number: 20120309574
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle with high energy efficiency due to two planetary gear mechanisms of different ratios used for the power derivation: one planetary gear mechanism (4) dedicated to the low vehicle speeds and the other (5) to the high vehicle speeds. The two planetary gear mechanisms are driven in parallel by the thermal engine (1) and by the electric motor (2). They drive themselves in parallel the differential gear (6) of the axle which is connected to the wheels (9). The pilot shafts of the two planetary gear mechanisms (4) ad (5) are alternatively connected and disconnected to the electric generator (3) which regulates the driving force of the vehicle by controlling its resistive torque through the clutch (7). This specific architecture brings: a better energy efficiency thus less fuel consumption, less powerful electric equipment's thus less expensive, and some specific possibilities regarding an electric braking and regarding some fuel substitution for electricity from the national grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventor: Denis Ernest Celestin BUFFET
  • Publication number: 20120178574
    Abstract: A powertrain for a hybrid electric vehicle includes an engine, an electric motor module, and a transmission. The electric motor module includes a hydraulic cooling circuit for the electric motor. The hydraulic cooling circuit includes a fluid passage and an annulus in fluid communication with the fluid passage. The annulus is radially outwardly disposed relative to a stator of an electric motor for circulating hydraulic fluid around an outer circumference of the stator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Edwin T. Grochowski, James M. Hart
  • Patent number: 8186467
    Abstract: A wheel rotating device (1) for an in-wheel motor vehicle includes a motor (2), a speed reducer (6) coupled to an output part of the motor (2), a hub (4) coupled to an output part of the speed reducer (6), and a spindle (5) fixed relative to a vehicle body and supporting the hub (4) in a manner that permits the hub (4) to rotate. The hub (4) is coupled to a wheel (13) to rotate the wheel (13). A stator (21) of the motor (2) is disposed inwardly in radial directions of the wheel (13) along an inner circumferential surface of the wheel (13). A rotor (22) of the motor (2) is disposed inwardly in radial directions of the stator (21). The speed reducer (6) is disposed between the rotor (22) and the hub (4) with bearings provided between the speed reducer (6) and the hub (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Yoshino, Koichi Oku