초록 ▼

A powertrain assembly for an automotive vehicle having an interanal combustion engine and transmission gearing for delivering engine torque to traction wheels of a vehicle. An electric induction motor is situated in the torque flow path between the engine and the transmission. The induction motor co

A powertrain assembly for an automotive vehicle having an interanal combustion engine and transmission gearing for delivering engine torque to traction wheels of a vehicle. An electric induction motor is situated in the torque flow path between the engine and the transmission. The induction motor complements engine torque which permits the engine to be turned off when the vehicle is at rest, thereby improving fuel economy and rendering undesirable exhaust gas emissions from the internal combustion engine. The torque multiplication that would normally be available from a hydrokinetic torque converter in the transmission is essentially replaced with auxiliary launch torque supplied by the induction motor during vehicle startup. The vibration damping function of a hydrokinetic torque converter during engine idle is also performed by the induction motor. Therefore, a hydrokinetic torque converter in the transmission in not necessary. The induction motor, during those operating modes of the vehicle when induction motor torque is not required to deliver driving torque, functions as an alternator during periods of regenerative braking with the internal combustion engine inactive and with the vehicle in a coast mode.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A hybrid vehicle powertrain comprising an internal combustion engine, a multiple-ratio power transmission mechanism, and an electric motor;the transmission mechanism having multiple-ratio gearing and clutch and brake means for establishing and disestablishing multiple tor

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A hybrid vehicle powertrain comprising an internal combustion engine, a multiple-ratio power transmission mechanism, and an electric motor;the transmission mechanism having multiple-ratio gearing and clutch and brake means for establishing and disestablishing multiple torque flow paths through the gearing;the clutch and brake means including a controllable, pressure-actuated friction clutch in a torque flow path between the engine and torque input elements of the gearing;a torque input shaft of the transmission mechanism being connected to the engine through the friction clutch;the electric motor being drivably connected to the torque input shaft in parallel disposition with respect to the engine whereby each is capable of delivering driving torque to the torque input shaft;the motor thereby forming a source of driving torque that complements driving torque of the engine when the engine is activated and forming a sole source of driving torque when the engine is deactivated;means for controlling electronic engagement of the friction clutch during engine idle comprising means for detecting engine torque and determining a torque signal indicative of an idle torque offset from the engine torque; andmeans for combining engine torque during idle with electric motor torque and for maintaining a regulated clutch actuating pressure responsive to the torque signal whereby engine idle torque variations are modified during engine idle by electric motor torque to effect electronic damping of engine torque during engine idle.