Patent · US Expired

Transmission gearbox for parallel hybrid electric vehicles

US6592484B1 · kind B1 · utility

69Cited by
30References
47Claims
0Family size

Assignees

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 9, 2000
Grant dateJul 15, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 9, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S903/946
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Disclosed is a novel parallel hybrid transmission that transmits torque from two power sources to the drive wheels of a vehicle. The transmission functions with a single heat engine and a single electric motor/generator. Through the use of a compound planetary gear train and four automatically controlled clutches, the transmission is able to (i) sum torque from the two power sources to drive the vehicle; (ii) split torque from the heat engine to drive the vehicle and charge the batteries; (iii) transmit torque individually from either of the two power sources; and (iv) operate as a one- or two-degree-of-freedom mechanism. The configuration of clutches and the compound planetary gear train enable thirteen modes of operation, namely, one motor-only mode, three combined motor and engine modes, one continuous variable transmission/charging mode, four engine-only modes, and four regenerative braking modes. Because the design is based on conventional automatic transmission components, the design is simple, compact, efficient, and reliable.

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