Systems and methods for control of transmission and/or prime mover

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9328807-B2
Application number	US-201414285463-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 22, 2014
Priority date	Feb 1, 2007
Publication date	May 3, 2016
Grant date	May 3, 2016

Abstract

Disclosed here are inventive systems and methods for a powertrain of an electric vehicle (EV). In some embodiments, said powertrain includes a continuously variable transmission (CVT) coupled to an electric drive motor, wherein a control system is configured to control the CVT and/or the drive motor to optimize various efficiencies associated with the EV and/or its subsystems. In one specific embodiment, the control system is configured to operate the EV in an economy mode. Operating in said mode, the control system simultaneously manages the CVT and the drive motor to optimize the range of the EV. The control system can be configured to manage the current provided to the drive motor, as well as adjust a transmission speed ratio of the CVT. Other modes of operation are also disclosed. The control system can be configured to manage the power to the drive motor and adjust the transmission speed ratio of the CVT taking into account battery voltage, throttle position, and transmission speed ratio, for example.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A drive system comprising:
a continuously variable transmission (CVT) housed in a wheel hub, the CVT having a plurality of tiltable spherical planets arranged radially about a longitudinal axis of the transmission; and
a control system coupled to the CVT, the control system comprising
a mechanical actuator coupled to the CVT,
a controller in electrical communication with the mechanical actuator, the controller configured to control the mechanical actuator to adjust a transmission ratio of the CVT, and
a data display in electrical communication with the controller, the data display having at least one button for selecting from a plurality of operating modes, wherein the CVT is operably coupled to a drive motor configured to provide power to the CVT.

2. The drive system of claim 1 , further comprising:
an actuator motor coupled to the actuator; and
a transmission controller coupled to the actuator motor, wherein the controller is communicatively coupled to the transmission controller.

3. The drive system of claim 1 , further comprising a drive motor controller coupled to the drive motor.

4. The drive system of claim 2 , further comprising a controller configured to control both the drive motor and the actuator motor.

5. A method for manufacturing a drive system comprising:
providing a continuously variable transmission (CVT) having a plurality of tiltable spherical planets arranged radially about a longitudinal axis of the transmission;
providing a control system coupled to the CVT, the control system comprising
a mechanical actuator coupled to the CVT,
a controller configured to be in electrical communication with the mechanical actuator, the controller configured to control the mechanical actuator,
a data display configured to be in electrical communication with the controller, the data display having at least one button for selecting from a plurality of operating modes,
a plurality of sensors coupled to the controller, and
a shifter interface coupled to the mechanical actuator, the shifter interface configured to adjust the plurality of tiltable spherical planets; and

enclosing the CVT in a housing integrated into a wheel of an electric vehicle, the housing adapted to cooperate with the mechanical actuator, the mechanical actuator configured to adjust an angle of the tiltable spherical planets based at least in part on one of the plurality of operating modes and on an indication of transmission speed ratio of the CVT.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the controller is configured to control the mechanical actuator based at least in part on data indicative of a transmission speed ratio and a vehicle speed.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprises a sensor configured to provide vehicle speed data.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprises a sensor configured to provide data associated with the transmission speed ratio of the CVT.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprises a sensor configured to provide data associated with a battery voltage.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprises a sensor configured to provide data associated with a current level provided to an electric drive motor.

11. A method for manufacturing a drive system comprising:
positioning a continuously variable transmission (CVT) in a wheel hub, the CVT having a plurality of tiltable traction planets arranged radially about a longitudinal axis of the CVT;
coupling an actuator to the CVT, wherein movement of the actuator adjusts a transmission ratio of the CVT;
coupling a control system to the CVT, the control system comprising
a controller in electrical communication with the actuator, the controller configured to control the actuator to adjust a transmission ratio of the CVT, and
a data display in electrical communication with the controller, the data display having at least one button for selecting from a plurality of operating modes; and

coupling a drive motor to the CVT, the drive motor configured to provide power to the CVT.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising coupling an actuator motor to the actuator.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising coupling a transmission controller to the actuator motor, wherein the controller is communicatively coupled to the transmission controller.

14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising coupling a drive motor controller to the drive motor.

15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the controller is configured to control both the drive motor and the actuator motor.

Assignees

• Fallbrook Ip Co Llc

Inventors

• Carter Jeremy
• Pohl Brad P
• Mcdaniel Loren T
• Keilers Cyril
• Ruggles Tim
• Rogers David Lynn
• Diehl Eric
• Orand Austin
• Delz Alan Mark
• Parks Paul Argus
• Bartholomew Mark Edward
• Vasiliotis Christopher M

Classifications

• B60L2240/642

  Slope of road · CPC title

• B60W2520/10

  Longitudinal speed · CPC title

• B60L15/20

  for control of the vehicle or its driving motor to achieve a desired performance, e.g. speed, torque, programmed variation of speed · CPC title

• F16H15/40

  in which two members co-operative by means of balls, or rollers of uniform effective diameter, not mounted on shafts · CPC title

• F16H15/52

  in which a member of uniform effective diameter mounted on a shaft may co-operate with different parts of another member · CPC title