Patent ID: 7611004
Filing Date: 2009-11-03
Classification: B60K,B60W,Y02T,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A control system for a vehicle, the system comprising: a first clutch assembly comprising a first input member and a first output member, the first clutch assembly having an active state in which rotational energy is transmitted between the first input member and the first output member and an inactive state in which rotational energy is not transmitted between the first input member and the first output member; a generator having a generator shaft, the generator shaft coupled to the first output member of the first clutch assembly; a second clutch assembly comprising a second input member and a second output member, the second clutch assembly having an active state in which rotational energy is transmitted between the second input member and the second output member and an inactive state in which rotational energy is not transmitted between the second input member and the second output member; a transmission having a transmission shaft coupled to the second output member of the second clutch assembly; a third clutch assembly comprising a third input member and a third output member, the third clutch assembly having an active state in which rotational energy is transmitted between the third input member and the third output member and an inactive state in which rotational energy is not transmitted between the third input member and the third output member, wherein the first input member is connected to a first gear, the second output member is connected to a second gear, and the third output member is connected to a third gear; the first gear engaging the third gear, the second gear engaging a fourth gear, wherein the fourth gear is associated with the transmission shaft; an engine having an engine shaft coupled to the third input member of the third clutch assembly; a controller for establishing an operational mode of the vehicle by controlling the states of the first clutch assembly, the second clutch assembly, and the third clutch assembly using control data, wherein the control data is provided by a driver to at least one of the first clutch assembly, the second clutch assembly, and the third clutch assembly, and wherein the control data is one of a digital control signal and an analog control signal; and a user interface coupled to the controller, wherein the user interface receives the control data to select the operational mode.