Internal gear hub with selectable fixed gear for electric bike regen

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017029068-A1
Application number	US-201514814707-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 31, 2015
Priority date	Jul 31, 2015
Publication date	Feb 2, 2017
Grant date	—

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 gear set, and first, second and third mechanical mechanisms each alternatively open or closed and each connected to the gear set, the first, second and third mechanical mechanisms variously open or closed providing a number of gear ratios through the gear set, and at least one of a fourth mechanical mechanism or a fixed connection, and comprising a mode of operation where: (a) the first, second and third mechanical mechanisms are open, and (b) the fourth mechanical mechanism is closed or the fixed connection is provided.

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 2 further comprising a case wherein the gear set is housed in the case and the case is connected between the wheel and the fourth mechanical mechanism or the fixed connection.

4 . The product according to claim 3 further comprising a fifth mechanical mechanism that is connected between the gear set and the case.

5 . The product according to claim 1 wherein both the fourth mechanical mechanism and the fixed connection are provided.

6 . The product according to claim 1 wherein the first, second, third and fourth mechanical mechanisms comprise clutches.

7 . The product according to claim 1 further comprising 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 further comprising a torque transfer element extending between the sprocket and the third mechanical mechanism and further comprising a fifth mechanical mechanism connected between the torque transfer element and the case.

8 . The product according to claim 7 wherein the fourth mechanical mechanism is connected between the carrier and the case.

9 . The product according to claim 8 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.

10 . A product comprising a wheel with a hub that has a linked element engaged with the hub providing input to, and output from, the hub, and a torque transfer element engaged with the hub providing input to, and output from, the hub, first, second and third mechanical mechanisms that are alternatively open or closed providing a number of gear ratios through the hub between the linked element and the torque transfer element, and at least one of a fourth mechanical mechanism or a fixed connection through which the hub provides a mode of operation with the first, second and third mechanical mechanisms open, the fourth mechanical mechanism or the fixed connection connected between the gear set and the wheel.

11 . The product according to claim 10 wherein the linked element is a sprocket and further comprising a crank and a chain wherein the sprocket is drivable by the crank through the chain.

12 . The product according to claim 11 further comprising a motor engaged with the chain.

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

14 . The product according to claim 11 further comprising a fifth mechanical mechanism positioned between the crank and the chain.

15 . A hub providing a selectable fixed mode between a crank and a wheel comprising a linked element engaged in torque transfer between the hub and the crank, a torque transfer element engaged between the hub and the wheel, and a closeable mechanical mechanism that when closed provides the selectable fixed mode by connecting the linked element to the wheel through the torque transfer element.

16 . The hub according to claim 15 further comprising a selectable coasting mode provided when the mechanical mechanism is open or overrunning.

17 . The hub according to claim 16 wherein the mechanical mechanism is a selectable one-way clutch.

18 . The hub according to claim 16 wherein the torque transfer element is a case of the hub.

19 . The hub according to claim 16 wherein the linked element is a sprocket.

20 . The hub according to claim 16 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

• B62M9/06

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

• B62M6/55 Primary

  power-driven at crank shafts parts · CPC title

• B62M11/16 Primary

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

• B62M11/145

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

• B62M11/04 Primary

  of changeable ratio · CPC title