Multiple motor multiple speed continuous power transmission

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021309089-A1
Application number	US-202117304403-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 21, 2021
Priority date	Jul 12, 2019
Publication date	Oct 7, 2021
Grant date	—

Abstract

An electric powertrain includes a first electric motor that has an uninterrupted connection with a drive shaft of a vehicle. The electric powertrain further includes a second electric motor that has an interruptible connection with the drive shaft. In one form, this interruptible connection includes a clutch. The electric powertrain further includes a first gear train in the form of a first planetary gear and a second gear train in the form of a second planetary gear. To provide a compact configuration, the first electric motor and second electric motor are arranged in a centerline orientation with the drive shaft.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A powertrain system, comprising:
an output, wherein the output is configured to move a 40,000 pound or more vehicle; a first electric motor having an uninterrupted connection to the output, wherein the uninterrupted connection is a mechanical linkage that lacks a break in continuity; a second electric motor having an interruptible connection to the output; wherein the first and second electric motors are high speed motors with a rated operating speed of at least 5,000 rpm; and wherein power is supplied to the output solely through the first and second electric motors.

2 . The powertrain system of claim 1 , wherein the uninterrupted connection of the first electric motor includes a first gear train configured to reduce speed.

3 . The powertrain system of claim 2 , wherein the first gear train includes a first planetary gear.

4 . The powertrain system of claim 3 , wherein the first planetary gear is coupled between the first electric motor and the output.

5 . The powertrain system of claim 3 , wherein the interruptible connection of the second electric motor includes a second gear train.

6 . The powertrain system of claim 5 , wherein the second gear train includes a clutch and a second planetary gear.

7 . The powertrain system of claim 6 , wherein the clutch includes a dog clutch.

8 . The powertrain system of claim 7 , wherein the dog clutch has a neutral position, a first range position, and a second range position.

9 . The powertrain system of claim 6 , wherein the clutch includes a 3-way dog clutch.

10 . The powertrain system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a first output shaft connected to the first electric motor; a second output shaft connected to the second electric motor; and a first planetary gear coupled to the first output shaft and a second planetary gear coupled to the second output shaft.

11 . The powertrain system of claim 10 , wherein the first output shaft and the second output shaft are coupled in an end-to-end engagement.

12 . The powertrain system of claim 10 , wherein the first output shaft and the second output shaft are aligned along a longitudinal axis.

13 . A powertrain system, comprising:
an output, wherein the output is configured to move a 40,000 pound or more vehicle; a first electric motor having an uninterrupted connection to the output; a second electric motor configured to supply power to the output via a planetary gear and a clutch; wherein the first and second electric motors are high speed motors with a rated operating speed of at least 5,000 rpm; wherein power is supplied to the output solely through the first and second electric motors; and wherein the first electric motor, the second electric motor, the planetary gear, and the output are aligned along a longitudinal axis.

14 . The powertrain system of claim 13 , wherein the clutch includes a dog clutch.

15 . The powertrain system of claim 14 , wherein the dog clutch has a neutral position, a first range position, and a second range position.

Assignees

• Allison Transm Inc

Inventors

• Mcgrew Jr Arthur L
• Mock Isaac
• Pelton George S
• Raszkowski James Allen
• Byerly John Andrew
• Saler John L

Classifications

• B60K6/365

  with the gears having orbital motion · CPC title

• F16H37/046

  with an additional planetary gear train, e.g. creep gear, overdrive · CPC title

• B60L15/2054

  by controlling transmissions or clutches · CPC title

• B60L15/2045

  for optimising the use of energy · CPC title

• B60K17/26

  characterised by arrangement, location, or type of freewheel device · CPC title