Patent ID: 8465387
Filing Date: 2013-06-18
Classification: B60K,F16H,Y02T

Abstract:
1. An electrically-variable transmission for use with an engine, comprising: an input member configured for operative interconnection with the engine; an output member; a stationary member; first and second motor/generators; a first and a second planetary gear set each having respective first, second, and third members; wherein the first member of the first planetary gear set is a ring gear member, the second member of the first planetary gear set is a sun gear member, and the third member of the first planetary gear set is a carrier member; wherein the first motor/generator is positioned axially between the planetary gear sets; a first, a second, and a third selectively engagable torque-transmitting mechanism; wherein said input member is connected for common rotation with the first member of the first planetary gear set; wherein the output member is connected for common rotation with the first member of the second planetary gear set; wherein the first motor/generator is connected for common rotation with the second member of the first planetary gear set; wherein the second motor/generator is connected for common rotation of the second member of the second planetary gear set; wherein the third member of the first planetary gear set is grounded to the stationary member in at least one direction of rotation via a first one-way clutch; wherein the third member of the second planetary gear set is selectively grounded to the stationary member by engagement of the first torque-transmitting mechanism; wherein the third member of the second planetary gear set is selectively connectable for common rotation with one of the members of the first planetary gear set by engagement of the second torque-transmitting mechanism; wherein the third member of the first planetary gear set is selectively connectable for common rotation with the input member by engagement of the third torque-transmitting mechanism; wherein the motor/generators are controllable and the torque-transmitting mechanisms are selectively engagable to establish at least one electric-only mode, a series mode, an output-split mode, and at least one neutral mode; wherein the first one-way clutch grounds the third member of the first planetary gear set to the stationary member in one direction of rotation; wherein the first one-way clutch provides reaction torque for the third member of the first planetary gear set to enable the first motor/generator to start the engine without engaging any of the torque-transmitting mechanisms when the first motor/generator spins in a forward direction; wherein the at least one electric-only mode includes a two-motor electric-only mode; a second one-way clutch configured to provide reaction torque to the first member of the first planetary gear set when the second torque-transmitting mechanism is engaged and both motor/generators are providing torque in the two-motor electric-only mode; wherein the third torque-transmitting mechanism is positioned axially between the second one-way clutch and the first planetary gear set; wherein the first planetary gear set is positioned axially between the third torque-transmitting mechanism and the first one-way clutch; wherein the first one-way clutch is positioned axially between the first planetary gear set and the first motor/generator; wherein the first torque-transmitting mechanism is radially stacked with the second torque-transmitting mechanism and is positioned axially between the first motor/generator and the second planetary gear set; and wherein the second planetary gear set is positioned axially between the second torque-transmitting mechanism and the second motor/generator.