EP0645271A2

Power train and power transmission therefor.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a power train that is interposed between the internal combustion engine (11) and the drive ratio selection transmission (39) of a vehicle. An electric motor/generator (14) is operatively connected to a power transmission (10), and the power transmission selectively drives accessories (53-56) to the internal combustion engine, such as an oil pump, power steering pump and air conditioning compressor. The power transmission employs compounded first and second planetary gear sets (19,21). A common gear member (16) serves not only as the ring gear for the first planetary gear set but also as the sun gear for the second planetary gear set. The electric motor/generator drives the accessories when the internal combustion engine is idling or off, allowing those accessories to be smaller while delivering adequate output.

EP0645271A2, drawing sheet 1
Sheet 1 of 6

Term

Term ended

Projected expiry passed 29 August 2014, 12.1 years ago.

  1. Priority
  2. Filed
  3. Published
  4. Projected expiry
  5. Today

10 claims: 6 independent, 4 dependent

  1. 1
    A power train for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine (11) to provide a source of torque and a drive ratio selection transmission (39), the power train comprising a power transmission (10);an electric motor/generator (14) operatively connected to the power transmission;and an accessory drive (52), the accessory drive being operatively connected to the power transmission.
  2. 2
    A power train as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the accessory drive (52) is locatable between the internal combustion engine (11) and the drive ratio selection transmission (39).
  3. 3
    A power train as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the accessory drive (52) is driven at between 1.5 times and 10 times the speed of the internal combustion engine (11) when the internal combustion engine is idling.
  4. 4
    A power train as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the accessory drive (52) is driven at the speed of the internal combustion engine (11) when the vehicle is moving.
  5. 5
    A power train as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the accessory drive (52) is driven by the electric motor/generator (14) when the internal combustion engine (11) is off.
  6. 6
    A power train as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the power train further comprises an accessory (53-56), the accessory being driven by the accessory drive (52) and being sized for operation at an engine speed greater than idle.
  7. 7
    A power transmission for a power train as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6 comprising compounded first and second planetary gear sets (19,20), each having first gear means (24,16), second gear means (16,28), and a plurality of planetary gears (22,25) mounted on a carrier (23,26) and operatively connect to the first and second gear means of the respective planetary gear set, wherein the second gear means of the first planetary gear set and the first gear means of the second planetary gear set are defined by a common gear member (16), wherein the electric motor/generator (14) is adapted to provide torque to the first gear means of the first planetary gear set, and wherein the internal combustion engine is adapted to provide torque to the second gear means of the second planetary gear set;means (33) selectively to transfer torque between the electric motor/generator (14) and the carrier of the second planetary gear set;means (34) selectively to transfer torque to and from the drive ratio selection transmission (39) and the internal combustion engine through the carrier of the second planetary gear set;means (31,32) selectively connecting the carrier of the first planetary gear set to ground;and means (42) selectively connecting the drive ratio selection transmission to ground.
  8. 8
    A method of driving accessories through a power train as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6 comprising the steps of energising the electric motor/generator (14) without starting the internal combustion engine (11);and driving the accessory drive (52) with the electric motor/generator.
  9. 9
    A method as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the method comprises the further steps of starting the internal combustion engine (11);operating the internal combustion engine at an idle;and continuing to drive the accessory drive (52) with the electric motor/generator (14).
  10. 10
    A method as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the method comprises the further steps of starting the internal combustion engine (11);operating the internal combustion engine at a speed above an idle;and driving the accessory drive (52) with the internal combustion engine.