Compound-power-split electrically variable transmissions with motor clutching devices

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9840140-B1
Application number	US-201615229864-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Aug 5, 2016
Priority date	Aug 5, 2016
Publication date	Dec 12, 2017
Grant date	Dec 12, 2017

Abstract

Disclosed are electrically variable transmissions (EVT), methods for making and for using EVTs, and hybrid electric vehicles with EVTs. Presented is a multi-speed power transmission for a motor vehicle with an engine, two electric motors, and a final drive. The transmission includes an input member connectable to the engine, an output member connectable to the final drive, and a stationary member connectable to a gear train. First and second torque-transmitting devices (TTD) respectively connect to the first and second motors. The transmission also includes a compound planetary gear arrangement with four junction points defined by two interconnected planetary gear sets. The first TTD selectively connects the first motor to the first junction point, while the second TTD selectively connects the second motor to the fourth junction point via the gear train. The input member connects at the second junction point, whereas the output member connects at the third junction point.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A multi-speed power transmission for a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle including an engine, first and second electric motors, and a final drive for propelling the vehicle, the transmission comprising:
an input member configured to connect to the engine;
an output member configured to connect to the final drive;
a gear train;
a stationary member;
a first torque-transmitting device configured to connect to the first motor;
a second torque-transmitting device configured to connect to the second motor;
a lockup clutch configured to connect to the second motor; and
a compound planetary gear arrangement including first and second interconnected planetary gear sets, each of the planetary gear sets including three gear members, the compound planetary gear arrangement having first, second, third and fourth junction points,
wherein the first torque-transmitting device is configured to selectively connect the first motor to the first junction point of the compound planetary gear arrangement,
wherein the second torque-transmitting device is configured to selectively connect the second motor to the fourth junction point via the gear train,
wherein the lockup clutch is configured to selectively connect the second motor directly to the fourth junction point of the compound planetary gear arrangement,
wherein the input member is operatively connected to the compound planetary gear arrangement at the second junction point, and
wherein the output member is operatively connected to the compound planetary gear arrangement at the third junction point.

2. The transmission of claim 1 , wherein the gear train includes a third planetary gear set with three respective gear members.

3. The transmission of claim 2 , further comprising a third torque-transmitting device configured to selectively ground one of the gear members of the third planetary gear set of the gear train to the stationary member.

4. The transmission of claim 1 , wherein two of the three gear members of the first planetary gear set are interconnected with two of the three gear members of the second planetary gear set.

5. The transmission of claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second torque-transmitting devices comprises a friction clutch, a dog clutch, or a sprag brake.

6. The transmission of claim 1 , wherein the three gear members of each of the first and second planetary gear sets includes a sun gear, a planet gear intermeshed with the sun gear, and a ring gear intermeshed with the planet gear and concentric with the sun gear.

7. The transmission of claim 1 , wherein an output shaft of the first electric motor rotates about a first rotating axis, and an output shaft of the second electric motor rotates about a second rotating axis, the first and second rotating axes being substantially parallel.

8. The transmission of claim 7 , wherein an output shaft of the engine rotates about a third rotating axis, the first, second and third rotating axes being substantially parallel.

9. A multi-speed power transmission for a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle including an engine, first and second electric motors, and a final drive for propelling the vehicle, the transmission comprising:
an input member configured to connect to the engine;
an output member configured to connect to the final drive;
a gear train;
a stationary member;
a first torque-transmitting device configured to connect to the first motor;
a second torque-transmitting device configured to connect to the second motor; and
a compound planetary gear arrangement including first and second interconnected planetary gear sets, each of the planetary gear sets including three gear members, the compound planetary gear arrangement having first, second, third and fourth junction points,
wherein the first torque-transmitting device is configured to selectively connect the first motor to the first junction point of the compound planetary gear arrangement,
wherein the second torque-transmitting device is configured to selectively connect the second motor to the fourth junction point via the gear train,
wherein the input member is operatively connected to the compound planetary gear arrangement at the second junction point,
wherein the output member is operatively connected to the compound planetary gear arrangement at the third junction point, and
wherein the first junction point is defined by a first gear member of the second planetary gear set, the second junction point is defined by a second gear member of the second planetary gear set interconnected with a first gear member of the first planetary gear set, the third junction point is defined by a third gear member of the second planetary gear set interconnected with a second gear member of the first planetary gear set, and the fourth junction point is defined by a third gear member of the first planetary gear set interconnected with a gear member of the gear train.

10. The transmission of claim 9 , further comprising a lockup clutch configured to directly connect the second motor to the fourth junction point of the compound planetary gear arrangement.

11. A multi-speed power transmission for a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle including an engine, first and second electric motors, and a final drive for propelling the vehicle, the transmission comprising:
an input member configured to connect to the engine;
an output member configured to connect to the final drive;
a gear train;
a stationary member;
a first torque-transmitting device configured to connect to the first motor;
a second torque-transmitting device configured to connect to the second motor; and
a compound planetary gear arrangement including first and second interconnected planetary gear sets, each of the planetary gear sets including three gear members, the compound planetary gear arrangement having first, second, third and fourth junction points,
wherein the first torque-transmitting device is configured to selectively connect the first motor to the first junction point of the compound planetary gear arrangement,
wherein the second torque-transmitting device is configured to selectively connect the second motor to the fourth junction point via the gear train,
wherein the input member is operatively connected to the compound planetary gear arrangement at the second junction point,
wherein the output member is operatively connected to the compound planetary gear arrangement at the third junction point, and
wherein the gear members of the interconnected planetary gear sets comprise a sun gear member of the first planetary gear set interconnected with a planet carrier member of the second planetary gear set, and a planet carrier member of the first planetary gear set interconnected with a ring gear member of the second planetary gear set.

12. The transmission of claim 11 , further comprising a fourth torque-transmitting device configured to selectively connect one of the interconnected two gear members of the first planetary gear set with one of the interconnected two gear members of the second planetary gear set.

13. A multi-speed power transmission for a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle including an engine, first and second electric motors, and a final drive for propelling the vehicle, the transmission comprising:
an input member configured to connect to the engine;
an output member configured to connect to the final drive;
a gear train;
a stationary member;
a first torque-transmitting device configured to connect to the first motor;
a second torque-transmitting device configured to connect to the second motor;
a fifth torque-transmitting device configured to connect to the gear tr

Assignees

• Gm Global Tech Operations Llc

Inventors

• Holmes Alan G
• Littlefield Joseph R

Classifications

• F16H2200/2043

  with five engaging means · CPC title

• F16H2200/201

  with three sets of orbital gears · CPC title

• F16H3/727 Primary

  with at least two dynamo electric machines for creating an electric power path inside the gearing, e.g. using generator and motor for a variable power torque path · CPC title

• F16H3/666

  with intermeshing orbital gears (F16H3/663 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F16H3/001

  convertible for varying the gear ratio, e.g. for selecting one of several shafts as the input shaft · CPC title