Patent ID: 7921945
Filing Date: 2011-04-12
Classification: B60K,B60W,B60Y,F16H,Y02T,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A vehicle having a transmission for driving a differential coupled to traction wheels comprising: an internal combustion engine (ICE) coupled through a clutch to a transmission input shaft of the transmission, wherein the ICE is engaged to rotate the transmission input shaft when a clutch pedal operating the clutch is not depressed, and wherein the ICE is disengaged from the transmission input shaft when the clutch pedal is depressed; a transfer gear set coupled to a power take-off (PTO) port of the transmission that is coupled to the transmission input shaft; an electric traction motor (ETM) having an output shaft coupled to an output shaft of the transfer gear set, wherein, in an ETM operational mode, the ETM rotates the transmission input shaft in response to power applied to the ETM when the ICE is disengaged from the transmission input shaft, and, wherein, in an ICE operational mode, the ETM is rotated in response to rotation of the transmission input shaft when the clutch engages the ICE to the transmission input shaft; a control system receiving signals from an electrical system of the vehicle and sensors monitoring operations of the vehicle and generating output control signals; an auxiliary electrical power system coupled to power the ETM and sub-systems of the vehicle when in the ETM operational mode; one or more actuators receiving power from the auxiliary power system in response to the output control signals when in the ETM operational mode, wherein one of the actuators is a clutch actuator that holds the clutch pedal depressed, when in the ETM operational mode, and releases the clutch pedal when in the ICE operational mode; and one or more indicators configured to present to a user, in the ETM operational mode, a signal indicating when to shift from neutral to cause a shifting collar rotating at a speed determined by the vehicle speed to engage a next shifting gear rotating at a speed determined by an ETM rotational speed.