Internal gear hub with selectable fixed gear for electric bike regen

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10155568-B2
Application number	US-201514814707-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 31, 2015
Priority date	Jul 31, 2015
Publication date	Dec 18, 2018
Grant date	Dec 18, 2018

Abstract

A number of variations may include a product that may comprise a gear set, and first, second and third mechanical mechanisms. Each mechanical mechanism may alternatively be open or closed and each may be connected to the gear set. The mechanical mechanisms may be variously open or closed providing a number of gear ratios through the gear set. A fourth mechanical mechanism or a fixed connection may be included. A mode of operation may be provided where the first, second and third mechanical mechanisms are open, and the fourth mechanical mechanism may be closed or the fixed connection may be provided.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A product comprising: a hub with a gear set and first, second and third mechanical mechanisms in the hub, each of the first, second and third mechanical mechanisms configured to alternatively open or close, and at least one of a fourth mechanical mechanism or a fixed connection through which the hub is configured to operate in a mode with the first, second and third mechanical mechanisms open, and the hub is configured with an output from the gear set directed through the fourth mechanical mechanism or the fixed connection, a case disposed around the gear set and a sprocket connected with the gear set wherein the gear set includes a carrier carrying at least one gear and wherein the third mechanical mechanism is connected between the sprocket and the carrier, and a torque transfer element extending into the case and between the sprocket and the third mechanical mechanism, wherein the third mechanical mechanism is configured to selectively connect the sprocket with the carrier through both the torque transfer element and the third mechanical mechanism.

2. The product according to claim 1 further comprising a wheel wherein the fourth mechanical mechanism or the fixed connection is connected between the gear set and the wheel.

3. The product according to claim 1 further comprising a case wherein the gear set is housed in the case and the case is connected between a wheel and the fourth mechanical mechanism or the fixed connection.

4. The product according to claim 1 further comprising the sprocket disposed outside the hub, wherein the gear set includes a ring gear fixed with the sprocket.

5. The product according to claim 1 wherein the fourth mechanical mechanism comprises a clutch.

6. The product according to claim 1 wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth mechanical mechanisms is a clutch.

7. The product according to claim 1 wherein the fourth mechanical mechanism or the fixed connection is connected between the carrier and the case.

8. The product according to claim 7 further comprising a shaft extending through the gear set wherein the first and second mechanical mechanisms are connected between the shaft and the gear set.

9. A product comprising: a hub with a gear set and first, second and third mechanical mechanisms in the hub, each of the first, second and third mechanical mechanisms configured to alternatively open or close, and at least one of a fourth mechanical mechanism or a fixed connection through which the hub is configured to operate in a mode with the first, second and third mechanical mechanisms open, and the hub is configured with an output from the gear set directed through the fourth mechanical mechanism or the fixed connection, a linked element engaged with the hub providing input to, and output from, the hub, wherein the linked element is a sprocket, a crank and a chain wherein the sprocket is drivable by the crank through the chain, and a fifth mechanical mechanism positioned between the crank and the chain, the first, second, third mechanical mechanisms along with the fourth mechanical mechanism or the fixed connection, in combination, providing a number of gear ratios through the gear set.

10. The product according to claim 9 further comprising a motor engaged with the chain.

11. The product according to claim 9 wherein the gear set is disposed in the hub and further comprising the fifth mechanical element disposed in the hub and connected with the gear set.

12. A product comprising: a hub with a gear set configured to provide a number of gear ratios and configured to provide a selectable fixed mode, a linked element and a crank, each engaged in torque transfer with the hub, a torque transfer element engaged with the hub, and a mechanical mechanism or a fixed connection configured to close to provide the selectable fixed mode from the crank to the linked element through the torque transfer element, wherein the hub is configured to provide a selectable coasting mode provided when the mechanical mechanism is open or overrunning.

13. The product according to claim 12 wherein the mechanical mechanism is a selectable one-way clutch.

14. The product according to claim 12 wherein the torque transfer element is a case of the hub.

15. The product according to claim 12 wherein the linked element is a sprocket.

16. The product according to claim 12 further comprising first, second and third clutches, wherein the first clutch provides a first gear when closed, the second clutch provides a second gear when closed, the third clutch provides a third gear when closed and the selectable fixed mode is provided in each of the first, second and third gears.

Assignees

• Gm Global Tech Operations Llc

Inventors

• Hayslett Steven L
• Swales Shawn H
• Begleiter David

Classifications

• B62M11/16 Primary

  built in, or adjacent to, the ground-wheel hub · CPC title

• B62M9/06

  using a single chain, belt, or the like · CPC title

• B62M6/55 Primary

  power-driven at crank shafts parts · CPC title

• B62M11/145

  built in, or adjacent to, the bottom bracket · CPC title

• B62M11/04 Primary

  of changeable ratio · CPC title