Patent · US Expired

Hybrid vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine and an electric motor

US5433282A · kind A · utility

94Cited by
9References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 12, 1993
Grant dateJul 18, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 12, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S903/919
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A hybrid vehicle has an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, a transmission unit and driving wheels. The transmission unit includes a planetary gear unit and a one-way clutch, so that each output rotary speed of the internal combustion engine and the electric motor is changed. The planetary gear unit includes three elements: a ring gear, a sun gear and a carrier having at least one pinion. When the vehicle is in an under-drive cruising state, the first element of the planetary gear unit, which does not rotate, is connected to the output shaft of the internal combustion engine, the second element of the planetary gear unit, which rotates at a relatively high, speed, is connected to the output shaft of the electric motor, and the third element of the planetary gear unit, which rotates at relatively lower speed, is connected to the output shaft of the transmission unit. The one-way clutch is provided between the output shaft of the internal combustion engine and a case housing the transmission unit to allow the output shaft of the internal combustion engine to rotate in one direction only.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.