Abstract:
A hybrid power drive system includes an engine, a first motor, a first clutch operatively coupled between the engine and the first motor, a first decelerating mechanism having an input portion operatively coupled between the first clutch and the first motor, where the input portion is configured to receive rotational power from the first motor and/or the engine. The first decelerating mechanism has an output portion operative to drive at least one first wheel, and a second motor is operatively coupled to at least one second wheel through a second decelerating mechanism. An energy storage device is coupled separately to the first motor and to the second motor. The engine, the first clutch and the first motor are connected in sequence, and the second decelerating mechanism and the at least one second wheel are connected in sequence. Various combinations of operating modes are provided to meet energy efficiency requirements and user power demands.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 2008-10146430.9, filed on Aug. 28, 2008, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
       FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY 
       [0002]    This application relates to a hybrid power drive system and drive method. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Hybrid power automobiles have the power advantages of both the pure-electric vehicles and the traditional vehicles, and provide excellent energy savings, while also helping to conserve the environment. However, current hybrid power automobiles mostly are front-wheel drive or back-wheel drive, thus only two wheels (one axel) typically provide power. When the vehicles travel on rough roads, such as in off-road and cross-country travel, the drive system cannot provide the required power and handling requirements. Thus, current hybrid power drive systems are limited. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    This application discloses a hybrid power drive system. The drive system has many four-wheel drive modes and may provide more strong power to the vehicles. 
         [0005]    A hybrid power drive system comprises an engine, a first motor, a first clutch operatively coupled between the engine and the first motor, a first decelerating mechanism, a second motor operatively coupled to at least one second wheel through a second decelerating mechanism, and an energy storage device coupled separately to the first motor and to the second motor. The first decelerating mechanism has an input portion operatively coupled between the first clutch and the first motor. The input portion configured to receive rotational power from the first motor and/or the engine. The first decelerating mechanism has an output portion operative to drive at least one first wheel. The engine, the first clutch and the first motor are connected in sequence, and the second decelerating mechanism and at least one second wheels are connected in sequence. 
         [0006]    A drive method of the hybrid power drive system may control the drive system in many four-wheel drive modes to provide more strong power to the vehicles. 
         [0007]    A drive method of a hybrid power drive system, the drive system comprises an engine, a first motor, a first clutch operatively coupled between the engine and the first motor, a first decelerating mechanism, a second motor operatively coupled to at least one second wheel through a second decelerating mechanism, and an energy storage device coupled separately to the first motor and to the second motor. The first decelerating mechanism has an input portion operatively coupled between the first clutch and the first motor. The input portion configured to receive rotational power from the first motor and/or the engine. The first decelerating mechanism has an output portion operative to drive at least one first wheel. The engine, the first clutch and the first motor are connected in sequence, and the second decelerating mechanism and at least one second wheels are connected in sequence. And, the drive method comprises the following steps: providing an engine driving mode, providing a first motor driving mode, providing an engine and first motor driving mode, providing a second motor driving mode, providing an engine and second motor driving mode, providing a first motor and second motor driving mode and providing an engine and dual motor driving mode. 
         [0008]    The structure of the hybrid power drive system is simple. The drive method may comprise many two-wheel drive modes and four-wheel drive modes, so it can provide more strong power to the vehicles to meet its required power. Further, it is possible to apply this hybrid power drive system in the cross-country vehicles. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram of a hybrid power drive system of one specific embodiment. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a schematic block diagram of a hybrid power drive system according to another embodiment. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a schematic block diagram of an engine driving mode of a hybrid power drive system of one specific embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a schematic block diagram of a first motor driving mode of a hybrid power drive system of one specific embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a schematic block diagram of an engine and first motor driving mode of a hybrid power drive system of one specific embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a schematic block diagram of a second motor driving mode of a hybrid power drive system of one specific embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a schematic block diagram of an engine and second motor driving mode of a hybrid power drive system of one specific embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a schematic block diagram of a first motor and second motor driving mode of a hybrid power drive system of one specific embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a schematic block diagram of an engine and dual motors driving mode of a hybrid power drive system of one specific embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a schematic block diagram of an engine driving mode of a hybrid power drive system of another embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a schematic block diagram of a first motor driving mode of a hybrid power drive system of another embodiment. 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is a schematic block diagram of an engine and first motor driving mode of a hybrid power drive system of another embodiment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is a schematic block diagram of a second motor driving mode of a hybrid power drive system of another embodiment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  is a schematic block diagram of an engine and second motor driving mode of a hybrid power drive system of another embodiment. 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  is a schematic block diagram of a first motor and second motor driving mode of a hybrid power drive system of another embodiment. 
           [0024]      FIG. 16  is a schematic block diagram of an engine and dual motors driving mode of a hybrid power drive system of another embodiment. 
           [0025]      FIG. 17  is a schematic block diagram of an self-charging mode of a hybrid power drive system of another embodiment. 
           [0026]      FIG. 18  is a schematic block diagram of an braking mode of a hybrid power drive method of one embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0027]    The detailed embodiments will be described with the drawings. 
         [0028]    According to  FIG. 1 , in one embodiment, a hybrid power drive system comprises an engine  10 , a first motor  30 , a first clutch  20  operatively coupled between the engine and the first motor, a first decelerating mechanism  50 , a second motor  70  operatively coupled to at least one second wheel  90  through a second decelerating mechanism, and an energy storage device  100  coupled separately to the first motor and to the second motor. The first decelerating mechanism  50  has an input portion operatively coupled between the first clutch  20  and the first motor  30 , the input portion configured to receive rotational power from the first motor  30  and/or the engine  10 . The first decelerating mechanism  50  has an output portion operative to drive at least one first wheel  60 . The engine  10 , the first clutch  20  and the first motor  30  are connected in sequence; the second decelerating mechanism  80  and at least one second wheel  90  are connected in sequence. 
         [0029]    The engine  10  may be gasoline engine, diesel engine, or other fuel engines using methanol, ethanol, etc. 
         [0030]    The first clutch  20  may be a clutch commonly known by those skilled in the art. 
         [0031]    The first motor  30  and the second motor  70  may be AC motors, switched reluctance motors, DC permanent magnet motors, etc. According to the electromagnetic induction principle, the first motor  30  and the second motor  70  can work in a generator mode or in a motor mode. When in the generator mode, the motors  30 ,  70  translate the mechanical energy into the electricity energy. When works in the motor mode, the motors  30 ,  70  translate the electricity energy into the mechanical energy. For example, when the power of the engine  10  is transferred to the first motor  30  through the engaged first clutch  20 , the first motor  30  works in the generator mode, thus the first motor  30  translate the mechanical energy into the electricity energy, and the electricity energy is transferred to the energy storage device  100  to charge it accordingly. While the drive system runs in the braking mode and the braking energy fed back from at least one first wheel and/or at least one second wheel is transferred respectively to the first motor  30  and/or the second motor  70 , the first motor  30  and/or the second motor  70  works in the generator mode, thus the mechanical energy is transferred into the electricity energy and is transferred to the energy storage device  100  to charge it accordingly. While the energy storage device  100  provides the electricity power to the first motor  30  and the second motor  70 , both the first motor  30  and the second motor  70  work in the motor mode, thus the electricity energy is transferred into the mechanical energy to drive at least one wheel to run. 
         [0032]    The first decelerating mechanism  50  and the second decelerating mechanism  80  may be decelerating gears, transmissions, etc. And as those skilled in the art knows, the power transferred from the first decelerating mechanism  50  and the second decelerating mechanism  80  may be separately transferred to the first wheels  60  and the second wheels  90  through the shaft coupling, the wheels drive shaft, etc. to drive the vehicle to run. 
         [0033]    The energy storage device  100  may be rechargeable energy source, such as a storage battery pack, a fuel battery pack, etc. 
         [0034]    The drive system may has a plurality of modes including an engine driving mode, a first motor driving mode, an engine and first motor driving mode, a second motor driving mode, an engine and second motor driving mode, a first motor and second motor driving mode and an engine and dual motors driving mode. 
         [0035]    In the engine driving mode as shown in  FIG. 3 , at least one first wheel  60  drives the vehicle to run, the engine  10  is a power resource. The engine  10  starts, the first clutch  20  is engaged, the rotational power of the engine  10  is transferred to at least one first wheel  60  through the first clutch  20  and the first decelerating mechanism  50  to drive the vehicle to run. 
         [0036]    In the first motor driving mode as shown in  FIG. 4 , at least one first wheel  60  drives the vehicle to run, the first motor  30  is a power resource. The energy storage device  100  provides electricity power to the first motor  30 , the power of the motor  30  is transferred to at least one first wheel  60  through the first decelerating mechanism  50  to drive the vehicle to run. 
         [0037]    In the engine and first motor driving mode as shown in  FIG. 5 , at least one first wheel  60  drives the vehicle to run, the engine  10  and first motor  30  both are power resources. The engine  10  starts, the first clutch  20  is engaged, the power of the engine  10  is transferred to at least one first wheel  60  through the first clutch  20  and the first decelerating mechanism  50  to drive the vehicle to run. Meanwhile, the energy storage device  100  provides electricity power to the first motor  30 , the power of the first motor  30  is transferred to the at least one first wheel  60  through the first decelerating mechanism  50  to drive the vehicle to run. 
         [0038]    In the second motor driving mode as shown in  FIG. 6 , the vehicle is driven by at least one second wheel  90 , the second motor  70  is a power resource. The energy storage device  100  provides electricity power to the second motor  70 , the power of the motor  70  is transferred to at least one second wheel  90  through the second decelerating mechanism  80  to drive the vehicle to run. 
         [0039]    In the engine and second motor driving mode as shown in  FIG. 7 , the vehicle is driven by at least one first wheel  60  and/or at least one second wheel  90 , namely four-wheel driving. The engine  10  and the second motor  70  both are power resources. The engine  10  starts, the first clutch  20  is engaged, the power of the engine  10  is transferred to at least one first wheel  60  through the first clutch  20  and the first decelerating mechanism  50  to drive the vehicle to run. Meanwhile, the energy storage device  100  provides electricity power to the second motor  70 , the power of the second motor  70  is transferred to at least one second wheel  90  through the second decelerating mechanism  80  to drive the vehicle to run. 
         [0040]    In the first motor and second motor driving mode as shown in  FIG. 8 , the vehicle is driven by at least one first wheel  60  and/or at least one second wheel  90 , namely four-wheel driving. The first motor  30  and the second motor  70  both are power resources. The energy storage device  100  simultaneously provides electricity power to the first motor  30  and the second motor  70 . The power of the first motor  30  is transferred to at least one first wheel  60  through the first decelerating mechanism  50  to drive the vehicle; the power of the second motor  70  is transferred to at least one second wheel  90  through the second decelerating mechanism  80  to drive the vehicle. 
         [0041]    In the engine and dual motors driving mode as shown in  FIG. 9 , the vehicle is driven by at least one first wheel  60  and/or at least one second wheel  90 . The engine  10 , the first motor  30  and the second motor  70  all function as synchronous power resources. The engine  10  starts, the first clutch  20  is engaged, the power of the engine  10  is transferred to at least one first wheel  60  through the first clutch  20  and the first decelerating mechanism  50  to drive the vehicle. Meanwhile, the energy storage device  100  simultaneously provides electricity power to the first motor  30  and the second motor  70 . The power of the first motor  30  is transferred to the first wheels through the first decelerating mechanism  50  to drive the vehicle; the power of the second motor  70  is transferred to at least one second wheel  90  through the second decelerating mechanism  80  to drive the vehicle. 
         [0042]      FIG. 2  shows the principle of another embodiment of the hybrid power drive system. The difference from  FIG. 1  lies in that the drive system further comprises a second clutch  40  operatively coupled between the first clutch  20  and the first motor  30 , and operatively coupled to the first decelerating mechanism, in addition to the components shows in  FIG. 1 . The second clutch  40  may be a clutches commonly known by those skilled in the art. 
         [0043]    In this embodiment, the engine  10 , the first clutch  20  and the first motor  30  are connected in sequence. The second clutch  40  is connected between the first clutch  20  and the first motor  30 . The second clutch  40 , the first decelerating mechanism  50  and the first sets of wheels  60  are connected in sequence. The second motor  70 , the second decelerating mechanism  80  and the second sets of wheels  90  are connected in sequence. The energy storage device  100  is electrically connected with the first motor  30  and the second motor  70  separately, as  FIG. 2  shows. 
         [0044]    The drive system of this embodiment further comprises a self-charging mode that can realize in parking and running, in addition to the drive modes of above embodiment, such as the engine driving mode as shown in  FIG. 10 , the first motor driving mode as shown in  FIG. 11 , the engine and first motor driving mode as shown in  FIG. 12 , the second motor driving mode as shown in  FIG. 13 , the engine and second motor driving mode as shown in  FIG. 14 , the first motor and second motor driving mode as shown in  FIG. 15  and the engine and dual motors driving mode as shown in  FIG. 15 . 
         [0045]    The difference between this embodiment and above embodiment lies in that, whatever power of the engine  10  or the first motor  30 , before it is transferred to at least one first wheels, it is transferred through the second clutch  40  first, then the first decelerating mechanism  50 , at last to at least one first wheel  60 . To be specific, the power of the engine  10  is transferred to at least one first wheel  60  through the first clutch  20 , the second clutch  40  and the first decelerating mechanism  50 . The power of the first motor  30  is transferred to at least one first wheel  60  through the second clutch  40  and the first decelerating mechanism  50 . Thus, the second clutch  40  is engaged in the engine driving mode, the first motor driving mode, the engine and first motor driving mode, the engine and second motor driving mode, the first motor and second motor driving mode, the engine and dual motors driving mode. Besides, the working mode of other components of the drive system is same as the mode of above embodiment in the same working modes with the above embodiment. Therefore, the detailed description thereof is omitted hereby for clarity and simplicity purposes. 
         [0046]    In the self-charging mode as shown in  FIG. 17 , while in parking, the engine  10  starts, the first clutch  20  is engaged, the second clutch  40  is disengaged. The power of the engine  10  is transferred to the first motor  30  through the first clutch  20 , and is transferred into electricity power by the first motor  30 , then is transferred to the energy storage device  100  to charge it accordingly. While running, not only the engine  10  starts, the first clutch  20  is engaged, the second clutch  40  is disengaged. The power of the engine  10  is transferred to the first motor  30  through the first clutch  20 , and is transferred into electricity power by the first motor  30 , then is transferred to the energy storage device  100  to charge it accordingly. But also, meanwhile, the energy storage device  100  provides the electricity power to the second motor  70 . The power of the second motor  70  is transferred to at least one second wheel  90  through the second decelerating mechanism  80  to drive the vehicle to run. 
         [0047]    In a preferred condition, the drive system further includes an external charging interface coupled to the energy storage device  100  and configured to charge the energy storage device from an external power source. With the interface the energy storage device  100  may be charged directly by the external power, such as using the household power to charge it. By this, the convenience has been improved greatly. This preferred feature may be applied to both embodiments described above. 
         [0048]    According to another aspect of the invention, a drive method of a hybrid power drive system is provided. The hybrid power system may be the hybrid power drive system described above of this invention. The drive method comprises the following steps: providing an engine driving mode, providing a first motor driving mode, providing an engine and first motor driving mode, providing a second motor driving mode, providing an engine and second motor driving mode, providing a first motor and second motor driving mode, providing an engine and dual motors driving mode and providing a self-charging mode. 
         [0049]    While in the engine driving mode, the vehicle is driven by at least one first wheel  60 . The engine  10  is a power resource. The engine  10  starts; the first clutch  20  is engaged; the second clutch  40  (if there is one, same below) is engaged. The power of the engine  10  is transferred to at least one first wheel  60  through the first clutch  20 , the second clutch  40  and the first decelerating mechanism  50  to drive the vehicle. 
         [0050]    While in first motor driving mode, the vehicle is driven by at least one first wheel  60 . The first motor  30  is a power resource. The energy storage device  100  provides electricity power to the first motor  30 . The second clutch  40  is engaged. The power of the first motor  30  is transferred to at least one first wheel  60  through the second clutch  40  and the first decelerating mechanism  50  to drive the vehicle. 
         [0051]    While in the engine and first motor driving mode, the vehicle is driven by at least one first wheel  60 . The engine  10  and the first motor  30  are simultaneously power resources. The engine  10  starts. The first clutch  20  and the second clutch  30  are engaged. The power of the engine  10  is transferred to at least one first wheel  60  through the first clutch  20 , the second clutch  40  and the first decelerating mechanism  50  to drive the vehicle. Meanwhile, the energy storage device  100  provides electricity power to the first motor  30 . The power of the first motor  30  is transferred to at least one first wheel  60  through the second clutch  40  and the first decelerating mechanism  50  to drive the vehicle. 
         [0052]    While in second motor driving mode, the vehicle is driven by at least one second wheel  90 . The second motor  70  is a power resource. The energy storage device  100  provides electricity power to the second motor  70 . The power of the second motor  70  is transferred to at least one second wheel  90  through the second decelerating mechanism  80  to driven the vehicle. 
         [0053]    While in the engine and second motor driving mode, the vehicle is driven by at least one first wheel  60  and/or at least one second wheel  90 , namely four-wheel driving. The engine  10  and the second motor  70  are simultaneous power resources. The engine  10  starts. The first clutch  20  and the second clutch  40  are engaged. The power of the engine  10  is transferred to at least one first wheel  60  through the first clutch  20 , the second clutch  40  and the first decelerating mechanism  50  to drive the vehicle. Meanwhile, the energy storage device  100  provides electricity power to the second motor  70 . The power of the second motor  70  is transferred to at least one second wheel  90  through the second decelerating mechanism  80  to drive the vehicle. 
         [0054]    While in the first motor and second motor driving mode, the vehicle is driven by at least one first wheel  60  and/or at least one second wheel  90 , namely four-wheels driving. The first motor  30  and the second motor  70  are simultaneous power resources. The energy storage device  100  provides electricity power to the first motor  30  and the second motor  70  at the same time. The second clutch  40  is disengaged. The power of the first motor  30  is transferred to at least one first wheel  60  through the second clutch  40  and the first decelerating mechanism  50  to drive the vehicle. The power of the second motor  70  is transferred to at least one second wheel  90  through the second decelerating mechanism  80  to drive the vehicle. 
         [0055]    While in the engine and dual motors driving mode, the vehicle is driven by at least one first wheel  60  and/or at least one second wheel  90 , namely four-wheel driving. The engine  10 , the first motor  30  and the second motor  70  are simultaneous power resources. The engine  10  starts. The first clutch  20  and the second clutch  40  are engaged. The power of the engine  10  is transferred to at least one first wheel  60  through the first clutch  20 , the second clutch  40  and the first decelerating mechanism  50  to drive the vehicle. Meanwhile, the energy storage device  100  provides electricity power to the first motor  30  and the second motor  70  at the same time. The power of the first motor  30  is transferred to at least one first wheel  60  through the second clutch  40  and the first decelerating mechanism  50  to drive the vehicle. The power of the second motor  70  is transferred to the second wheels  90  through the second decelerating mechanism  80  to drive the vehicle. 
         [0056]    While in the self-charging mode, and in parking, the engine  10  starts; the first clutch  20  is engaged; the second clutch  40  is disengaged. The power of the engine  10  is transferred to the first motor  30  through the first clutch  20 , and is translated into electricity power by the first motor  30 , then is transferred to the energy storage device  100  to charge it accordingly. It should be noted that, the second clutch  40  is configured and stays disengaged is to ensure that the power of the engine  10  is totally used to charge the energy storage device  100  and would not be transferred to the first wheels  60 , thus the vehicle stays in parking mode. 
         [0057]    While the vehicle is running, not only the engine  10  starts, the first clutch  20  is engaged, the second clutch  40  is disengaged, the power of the engine  10  is transferred to the first motor  30  through the first clutch  20 , and is transferred into electricity power by the first motor  30 , then is transferred to the energy storage device  100  to charge it accordingly. Meanwhile, the energy storage device  100  provides electricity power to the second motor  70 . The power of the second motor  70  is transferred to at least one second wheel  90  through the second decelerating mechanism  80  to drive the vehicle. At this time, the second clutch  40  may be engaged also, thus a part of the power of the engine  10  may charge the energy storage device  100 , the other part power of the engine  10  may be transferred to at least one first wheel  60  to drive the vehicle. 
         [0058]    The drive method of this invention further comprises controlling the drive system in a regenerative braking mode as shown in  FIG. 18 . While the accelerator panel is loosed, or the braking panel is pushed, the drive system is in the braking mode. The second clutch  40  (if there is one) is engaged, the first motor  30  and/or the second motor  70  enter into braking mode and work as generator. Thus the braking energy fed back from at least one first wheel  60  and/or at least one second wheel  90  is separately transferred to the first motor  30  and/or the second motor  70  through the first decelerating mechanism  50 , the second clutch  40  (if there is one) and the second decelerating mechanism  80 , then the braking energy is translated into electricity power by the first motor  30  and/or the second motor  70  and is transferred to the energy storage device  100  to charge it accordingly. 
         [0059]    Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above words, those who skilled in this field shall understand that many amendments, replacements or variations may be made according to the present invention, which are all within the protection of the present invention.