초록 ▼

A hybrid transfer case can include first and second output shafts adapted for connection to respective rear and front drivelines, a first input shaft adapted for connection to a transmission and for selective connection to the first output shaft, and a second input shaft that can be rotatably suppor

A hybrid transfer case can include first and second output shafts adapted for connection to respective rear and front drivelines, a first input shaft adapted for connection to a transmission and for selective connection to the first output shaft, and a second input shaft that can be rotatably supported on the first input shaft and selectively connected to the first output shaft. The transfer case can further include a planetary gearset, a transfer system and an electric motor/generator. The planetary gearset can include a first member fixed for rotation with the first input shaft, a second member fixed for rotation with the second input shaft, and a third member. The transfer system can couple the second input shaft to the second output shaft, and the electric motor can selectively drive the third member.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A transfer case for a vehicle having an engine, a transmission, and front and rear drivelines, comprising: a first output shaft adapted for connection to the rear driveline;a second output shaft adapted for connection to the front driveline;a first input shaft adapted for connection at a first en

1. A transfer case for a vehicle having an engine, a transmission, and front and rear drivelines, comprising: a first output shaft adapted for connection to the rear driveline;a second output shaft adapted for connection to the front driveline;a first input shaft adapted for connection at a first end to the transmission, and for selective connection at a second end to the first output shaft;a second input shaft rotatably supported on the first input shaft for rotation relative hereto, the second input shaft adapted for selective connection to the first output shaft;a planetary gear set having a first member fixed for rotation with the first input shaft, a second member fixed for rotation with the second input shaft, and a third member;a transfer system rotatably coupling the second input shaft to the second output shaft; andan electric motor for selectively driving the third member. 2. The transfer case of claim 1, further comprising: a first mode clutch for independently coupling each of the first and second input shafts with the first output shaft;a second mode clutch or selectively coupling the second output shaft to ground; anda third mode clutch for selectively coupling the electric motor to the third member. 3. The transfer case of claim 2, wherein the first mode clutch is operable in a released state to release the first and second input shafts from driven engagement with the first output shaft and is further operable in a first applied state to couple the first input shaft with the first output shaft and in a second applied state to couple the second input shaft with the first output shaft, wherein the second mode clutch is operable in an applied state to couple the second output shaft to ground and is further operable in a released state to release the second output shaft from ground, and wherein the third mode clutch is operable in a released state to release the electric motor from engagement with the third member and is further operable in an applied state to couple, the electric motor for driven engagement with the third member. 4. The transfer case of claim 3, further comprising a control system operable to control actuation of the electric motor and the first, second and third mode clutches, the control system including a controller and sensors for detecting operating characteristics of the vehicle and sending sensor and switch input to the controller. 5. The transfer case of claim 4, wherein the control system permits selection of a front wheel drive operating mode, a rear wheel drive operating mode, an all wheel drive operating mode, and a part-time four wheel drive operating mode. 6. The transfer case of claim 3, wherein a front wheel drive mode is established when the first and second mode clutches are operating in their released states, the third mode clutch is operating in its applied state and the engine is off such that the electric motor drives the third member to transmit motive power to the second output shaft. 7. The transfer case of claim 3, wherein an all wheel drive mode is established when the first mode clutch is operating in its first applied state coupling the first input shaft to the first output shaft, the second mode clutch is operating in its released state, and the third mode clutch is operating in its applied state such that motive power is transmitted to the first and second output shafts by the engine and the electric motor. 8. The transfer case of claim 7, wherein the third mode clutch is controlled to selectively operate in its applied state such that motive power is transmitted to the first and second output shafts by the engine and selectively by the electric motor to define an on-demand all wheel drive mode. 9. The transfer case of claim 3, wherein a rear wheel drive mode is established when the first mode clutch is operating in its first applied state and the second mode clutch is operating in its applied state such that motive power is transmitted to the first output shaft by the engine, and wherein the third mode clutch is controlled to selectively operate in its applied state such that the electric motor can selectively operate in a generation mode. 10. The transfer case of claim 3, wherein a part-time four wheel drive mode is established when the first mode clutch is operating in its second applied state coupling the second input shaft to the rear output shaft and thereby locking the first output shaft to the second output shaft, and the second mode clutch is operating in its released state such that motive power is transmitted to the first and second output shafts, and wherein the third mode clutch is controlled to selectively operate in its applied state such that the motive power transmitted to the first and second output shafts is supplied by the electric motor, the engine, or both of the engine and the electric motor. 11. The transfer case of claim 10, wherein the third mode clutch is operable in an additional applied state to couple the third member to ground. 12. The transfer case of claim 1, wherein the transfer system includes a first sprocket fixedly attached to the second input shaft, a second sprocket fixedly attached to the second output shaft, and a power chain rotatably coupling the first and second sprockets. 13. The transfer case of claim 1, wherein the first member includes a ring gear, the second member includes a carrier and the third member includes a sun gear. 14. A hybrid vehicle, comprising: a powertrain having an internal combustion engine and an electric motor as motive power sources;a first driveline for transferring power to a first wheel, the first driveline including a first disconnect arranged to drivingly connect and disconnect the motive power sources and the first wheel;a second driveline for transferring power to a second wheel, the second driveline including a second disconnect arranged to drivingly connect and disconnect the motive power sources and the second wheel; anda transfer case including a first output shaft adapted for connection to the first driveline, a second output shaft adapted for connection to the second driveline, a first input shaft adapted for connection at a first end to the internal combustion engine and for selective connection at a second end to the first output shaft, a second input shaft adapted for selective connection to the first output shaft, a planetary gear set having a first member fixed for rotation with the first input shaft, a second member fixed for rotation with the second input shaft and a third member, a transfer system rotatably coupling the second input shaft, to the second output shaft, wherein the electric motor selectively drives the third member. 15. The hybrid vehicle of claim 14 further including a first mode clutch for independently coupling each of the first and second input shafts with the first output shaft; a second mode clutch for selectively coupling the second output shaft to ground;a third mode clutch for selectively coupling the electric motor to the third member; anda control system for controlling actuation of the first and second disconnects, the first, second and third mode clutches, the internal combustion engine and, the electric motor. 16. A hybrid electric transfer case for a four-wheel drive motor vehicle having a powertrain and first and second drivelines, the transfer case comprising: a first output shaft adapted for connection to the first driveline for driving a set of first wheels;a second output shaft adapted for connection to the second driveline for driving a set of second wheels;a first input shaft adapted for connection to the powertrain;a second input shaft;a transfer assembly coupling said second input shaft to said second output shaft;a reduction gearset having a first member fixed for rotation with said first input shaft, a second member fixed for rotation with said second input shaft, and a third member;an electric motor;a first clutch for selectively coupling said first output shaft to one of said first and second input shafts; anda second clutch for selectively coupling said electric motor to said third member of said reduction gearset. 17. The hybrid electric transfer case of claim 16 wherein said first clutch is operable in a first mode to disconnect said first output shaft from both of said first and second input shafts, a second mode to connect said first output shaft to said first input shaft, and a third mode to connect said first output shaft to said second input shaft, and wherein said second clutch is operable in a first mode to disconnect said electric motor from said third member and in a second mode to connect said electric motor to said third member. 18. The hybrid electric transfer case of claim 17 wherein said second clutch is further operable in a third mode to disconnect said electric motor from said third member and connect said third member to a stationary member, wherein a third clutch is operable in a first mode to permit rotation of said second output shaft and in a second mode to prevent rotation of said second output shaft. 19. The hybrid electric transfer case of claim 17 adapted to establish a front wheel drive mode, an all wheel drive mode, and a four-wheel drive mode, wherein said front wheel drive mode is established when said first clutch is in its first mode and said second clutch is in its first mode, wherein said all wheel drive mode is established when said first clutch is in its second mode and said second clutch is in its first mode, and wherein said four wheel drive mode is established when said first clutch is in its third mode and said second clutch is in its first mode. 20. The hybrid electric transfer case of claim 16 wherein said second input shaft is arranged to surround said first input shaft, wherein said electric motor includes a rotor shaft surrounding said second input shaft, wherein said reduction gearset includes a planetary gearset having a ring gear fixed for rotation with said first input shaft, a sun gear, planet gears meshed with said ring gear and said sun gear, and a carrier rotatably supporting said planet gears and which is fixed for rotation with said second input shaft, and wherein said second clutch is operable for selectively coupling said sun gear to said rotor shaft.