Electromotive drives

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9506562-B2
Application number	US-201514702484-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 1, 2015
Priority date	Oct 28, 2005
Publication date	Nov 29, 2016
Grant date	Nov 29, 2016

Abstract

A transmission having a plurality of tilting balls and opposing input and output discs provides an infinite number of speed combinations over its transmission ratio range. The transmission provides multiple powerpaths and can be combined with electrical components to provide motor/generator functionality, which reduces the overall size and complexity of the motor and transmission compared to when they are constructed separately. In one embodiment, rotatable components of a continuously variable transmission are coupled separately to an electrical rotor and to an electrical stator so that the rotor and stator rotate simultaneously in opposite directions relative to one another. In other embodiments, an electrical rotor is configured to transfer torque to or from a disc that is in contact with a plurality of speed adjusters, while an electrical stator is configured to transfer torque to a shaft that is operationally coupled to the speed adjusters via an idler.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for using a continuously variable transmission integrated with an electric motor/generator in a drivetrain, the continuously variable transmission comprising a plurality of balls distributed radially about a longitudinal axis and positioned between a first disc on a first side and a second disc on a second side, the continuously variable transmission further comprising an idler positioned radially inward of and in contact with the plurality of balls, the electric motor/generator comprising an electric stator coupled to the idler via an idler shaft and an electric rotor coupled to the first disc, wherein the continuously variable transmission is configured such that the electric rotor rotates in an opposite direction relative to the electric stator to generate electricity, the method comprising:
a) determining a desired electric output from the electric motor/generator;
b) transferring power through a power path through the continuously variable transmission, wherein transferring power comprises transmitting power through the plurality of balls; and
c) adjusting the continuously variable transmission to provide the desired electric output.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein transferring power through a power path comprises transferring power through a first power path through the idler shaft and transferring power through a second power path through the first disc, and wherein the first power path and the second power path merge at the plurality of balls.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein transferring power through a power path comprises transferring power through a first power path through the plurality of balls, and wherein the first power path divides into a second power path through the idler shaft and a third power path through the first disc or the second disc.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first disc comprises magnetic steel, and wherein the continuously variable transmission is configured such that the first disc rotates in an opposite direction relative to the electric stator to generate electricity.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the continuously variable transmission comprises a cage.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising repeating steps a) through c).

7. A method for using a continuously variable transmission integrated with an electric motor/generator in a hybrid drivetrain having multiple power inputs, the continuously variable transmission comprising a plurality of balls distributed radially about a longitudinal axis and positioned between a first disc on a first side a second disc on a second side, the continuously variable transmission further comprising an idler positioned radially inward of and in contact with the plurality of balls, the electric motor/generator comprising an electric stator coupled to the idler via an idler shaft and an electric rotor coupled to the first disc wherein the continuously variable transmission is configured such that the electric rotor rotates in an opposite direction relative to the electric stator to generate electricity, the method comprising:
a) determining a first power input from a first power source;
b) determining a second power input from a second power source;
c) determining a desired power output from the continuously variable transmission;
d) transferring power through the continuously variable transmission via at least one power path, wherein transferring power comprises transmitting power through the plurality of balls; and
e) adjusting the continuously variable transmission to provide the desired power output.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein transferring power through a power path comprises transferring power through a first power path through the idler shaft and transferring power through a second power path through the first disc, and wherein the first power path and the second power path merge at the plurality of balls.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein transferring power through a power path comprises transferring power through a first power path through the plurality of balls, and wherein the first power path divides into a second power path through the idler shaft and a third power path through the first disc or the second disc.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the first disc comprises magnetic steel, and wherein the continuously variable transmission is configured such that the first disc rotates in an opposite direction relative to the electric stator to generate electricity.

11. The method of claim 7 , wherein the continuously variable transmission comprises a cage.

12. The method of claim 7 , further comprising repeating steps a) through e).

Assignees

• Fallbrook Ip Co Llc

Inventors

• Miller Donald C

Classifications

• B60Y2400/72

  Continous variable transmissions [CVT] · CPC title

• B60K6/365

  with the gears having orbital motion · CPC title

• H02P9/06

  Control effected upon clutch or other mechanical power transmission means and dependent upon electric output value of the generator · CPC title

• B62M6/65

  with axle and driving shaft arranged coaxially · CPC title

• H02K7/116

  with gears · CPC title