Patent Publication Number: US-10774903-B1

Title: Power transmission apparatus for hybrid electric vehicle

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0053472 filed on May 8, 2019, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein for all purposes by this reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a power transmission apparatus according to a hybrid vehicle. 
     Description of Related Art 
     An environmentally-friendly technology of a vehicle is a core technology which controls survival of a future vehicle industry, and advanced vehicle makers have focused their energy on the development of an environmentally-friendly vehicle to achieve environmental and fuel efficiency regulations. 
     An electric vehicle (EV) or a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) that utilizes electrical energy, or a double clutch transmission (DCT) improving efficiency and convenience of a transmission may be examples of such a future vehicle technology. 
     The double clutch transmission (DCT) may include two clutches devices and a gear train of a basically manual transmission, selectively transmits a torque input from an engine to two input shafts by use of the two clutches devices, and outputs a torque shifted by the gear train. 
     Such a double clutch transmission (DCT) attempts to compactly realize a multi-stage transmission of more than five speeds. The dual-clutch transmission (DCT) achieves an automated manual transmission (AMT) that removes the inconvenience of a manual shifting of a driver, by controlling two clutches and synchronizing devices by a controller. 
     In comparison with an automatic transmission using planetary gears, such a DCT shows merits, such as higher efficiency in power delivery, easier modification in revising or adding parts to achieve more shifting stages, etc., and thus gathers more spotlight since it can more comfortably conform to fuel consumption regulation and efficiency in achieving more shifting stages. 
     The information disclosed in this Background of the Invention section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and may not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Various aspects of the present invention are directed to providing an exemplary power transmission apparatus configured for a vehicle for a hybrid vehicle which may include a motor/generator having a rotor selectively connectable to an engine output shaft, a first input shaft mounted coaxial with the engine output shaft and fixedly connected to the rotor, a second input shaft formed as a hollow shaft mounted coaxial with and external to the first input shaft, and selectively connectable to the first input shaft, first and second intermediate shafts mounted in parallel with the first input shaft, respectively, an output shaft mounted in parallel with the first and second input shafts and outputting a shifted torque, a planetary gear set mounted on the output shaft, having a sun gear fixedly connected to the output shaft, selectively receiving torques from the first and second input shafts and the first and second intermediate shafts, and outputting a shifted torque based on the received torques to the output shaft, and first to third gear sets. The first gear set may include a first input gear, a first external gear, and a second external gear, the first input gear being fixedly connected to the first input shaft, the first external gear being rotatably mounted on and selectively connectable to the first intermediate shaft and externally gear-meshed with the first input gear, the second external gear being rotatably mounted on the output shaft, externally gear-meshed with the first input gear, and selectively connectable to a planet carrier of the planetary gear set. The second gear set may include a second input gear, a third external gear, and a fourth external gear, the second input gear being fixedly connected to the second input shaft, the third external gear being rotatably mounted on the output shaft, externally gear-meshed with the second input gear, fixedly connected to a ring gear of the planetary gear set, and selectively connectable to the output shaft, the fourth external gear being fixedly connected to the second intermediate shaft and externally gear-meshed with the third external gear. The third gear set may include a fifth external gear and a sixth external gear, the fifth external gear being fixedly connected to the first intermediate shaft, the sixth external gear being fixedly connected to the second intermediate shaft and externally gear-meshed with the fifth external gear. 
     The planetary gear set may be formed as a single pinion planetary gear set. 
     The planetary gear set may be mounted between the first gear set and the second gear set. 
     An exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include five clutches, each of which facilitating selective connection. 
     The five clutches may include an engine clutch mounted between the engine output shaft and the first input shaft, a first clutch mounted between the first input shaft and the second input shaft, a second clutch mounted between the first external gear and the first intermediate shaft, a third clutch mounted between the second external gear and the planet carrier, and a fourth clutch mounted between the third external gear and the output shaft. 
     The fourth clutch may be formed as a teeth engagement clutch. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, multiple shifting stages may be realized by applying a planetary gear set to a dual clutch type transmission, and by further employing a motor/generator, an electric vehicle mode and a parallel hybrid mode may be realized to the multiple shifting stages. 
     Therefore, an internal structure may be simplified, shifting efficiency may be improved, and an overall weight may be decreased, improving an installability and fuel consumption characteristics. 
     Furthermore, effects which may be obtained or expected from exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directly or suggestively described in the following detailed description. That is, various effects expected from exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following detailed description. 
     The methods and apparatuses of the present invention have other features and advantages which will be apparent from or are set forth in more detail in the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and the following Detailed Description, which together serve to explain certain principles of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a power transmission apparatus configured for a hybrid vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a shifting operation chart for a power transmission apparatus configured for a hybrid vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     It may be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various features illustrative of the basic principles of the present invention. The specific design features of the present invention as included herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes will be determined in part by the particularly intended application and use environment. 
     In the figures, reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent parts of the present invention throughout the several figures of the drawing. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention(s), examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. While the present invention(s) will be described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that the present description is not intended to limit the present invention(s) to those exemplary embodiments. On the other hand, the present invention(s) is/are intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents and other embodiments, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present application will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. 
     The drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive, and like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the specification. 
     In the following description, dividing names of components into first, second and the like is to divide the names because the names of the components are the same as each other and an order thereof is not particularly limited. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a power transmission apparatus configured for a hybrid vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a power transmission apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention shifts torques of power sources of an engine ENG and the motor/generator MG, and includes first and second input shafts IS 1  and IS 2 , first and second intermediate shafts CS 1  and CS 2 , output shaft OS, planetary gear set PG and a plurality of gear sets GT 1 , GT 2 , and GT 3 . 
     A power source of the power transmission apparatus may be various types of a known engine ENG, such as a gasoline engine or a diesel engine. 
     The motor/generator MG may act as a motor and also as a generator, and includes a stator ST and a rotor RT, where the stator ST is fixed to the transmission housing H and the rotor RT is rotatably supported within the stator ST. 
     The torques of the engine ENG and the motor/generator MG transmitted to the first input shaft IS 1  and the second input shaft IS 2  are shifted by the first to third gear sets GT 1  to GT 3  and a planetary gear set PG into a plurality of shifting stages, and outputted to an output shaft OS. 
     The first and second input shafts IS 1  and IS 2  are mounted on a same axis, and the first and second intermediate shafts CS 1  and CS 2  and the output shaft OS are mounted in parallel with the first input shaft IS 1 . 
     The first input shaft IS 1  is mounted along an axis of an engine output shaft EOS, selectively connectable to the engine output shaft EOS, and fixedly connected to the rotor RT of the motor/generator MG. 
     That is, the first input shaft IS 1  selectively receives the torque of the engine ENG and always receives the torque of the motor/generator MG. 
     The second input shaft IS 2  is formed as a hollow shaft and mounted coaxial with and external to the first input shaft IS 1  without rotational interference therebetween, and selectively connectable to the first input shaft IS 1  thereby selectively receiving torques of the engine ENG and the motor/generator MG. 
     The motor/generator MG is mounted on an axis of the engine output shaft EOS, fixedly connected to the first input shaft IS 1 , and selectively connectable to the second input shaft IS 2 . 
     The first and second intermediate shafts CS 1  and CS 2  are mounted in parallel with the first input shaft IS 1  respectively, and connected to each other through an external gear engagement. 
     The output shaft OS is mounted in parallel with the first input shaft IS 1  and the first and second intermediate shafts CS 1  and CS 2 . The output shaft receives a shifted torque from the first and second input shafts through the first gear set GT 1  to third gear set GT 3 , and transmits the received torque to a differential DIFF through an output gear OG and a final reduction gear FDG. 
     The planetary gear set PG is mounted on an axis of the output shaft OS, and fixedly connected to the output shaft OS through a first rotation element N 1  (sun gear S). The planetary gear set PG forms a shifted torque by combining the torques selectively received from the first and second input shafts IS 1  and IS 2  and the first and second intermediate shafts CS 1  and CS 2 , and outputs the shifted torque to the output shaft OS. 
     The planetary gear set PG is a single pinion planetary gear set, and includes a sun gear S, a planet carrier PC rotatably supporting a plurality of pinion gear P externally gear-meshed with the sun gear S, and a ring gear R internally gear-meshed with the plurality of pinion gear P. The sun gear S acts as a first rotation element N 1 , the planet carrier PC acts as a second rotation elements N 2 , and the ring gear R acts as a third rotation elements N 3 , respectively of the planetary gear set PG. 
     The plurality of gear sets are mounted over the first and second input shafts IS 1  and IS 2 , the first and second intermediate shafts CS 1  and CS 2 , and the output shaft OS, and form multiple shifted torques from the torques of the first and second input shafts IS 1  and IS 2 . 
     In more detail, the plurality of gear sets include first, second, and third gear sets GT 1 , GT 2 , and GT 3  that are mounted over the first and second input shafts IS 1  and IS 2 , the first and second intermediate shafts CS 1  and CS 2 , and the output shaft OS. 
     The first gear set GT 1  includes a first input gear IG 1 , a first external gear EG 1 , and a second external gear EG 2 . The first input gear IG 1  is fixedly connected to the first input shaft IS 1 . The first external gear EG 1  is rotatably mounted on the first intermediate shaft CS 1 , externally gear-meshed with the first input gear IG 1 , and selectively connectable to the first intermediate shaft CS 1 . The second external gear EG 2  is rotatably mounted on the output shaft OS, externally gear-meshed with the first input gear IG 1 , and selectively connectable to the planet carrier PC of the planetary gear set PG. 
     The second gear set GT 2  includes a second input gear IG 2 , third external gear EG 3 , and a fourth external gear EG 4 . The second input gear IG 2  fixedly connected to the second input shaft IS 2 . The third external gear EG 3  is rotatably mounted on the output shaft OS, externally gear-meshed with the second input gear IG 2 , fixedly connected to the ring gear R of the planetary gear set PG and selectively connectable to the output shaft OS. The fourth external gear EG 4  is fixedly connected to the second intermediate shaft CS 2  and externally gear-meshed with the third external gear EG 3 . 
     The third gear set GT 3  includes a fifth external gear EG 5  and a sixth external gear EG 6 . The fifth external gear EG 5  is fixedly connected to the first intermediate shaft CS 1 . The sixth external gear EG 6  is fixedly connected to the second intermediate shaft CS 2  and externally gear-meshed with the fifth external gear EG 5 . 
     The planetary gear set PG is mounted between the first gear set GT 1  and the second gear set GT 2 , where the planet carrier PC is selectively connectable to the second external gear EG 2  of the first gear set GT 1 , and the ring gear R is selectively connectable to the third external gear EG 3  of the second gear set GT 2 . 
     Gear ratios of drive and driven gears of the first, second, and third gear sets GT 1 , GT 2 , and GT 3  may be appropriately set according to desired feature of the transmission. 
     Furthermore, engagement elements of five clutches ECL, CL 1 , CL 2 , CL 3 , and CL 4  are mounted between rotation members such as various shafts. 
     The engine clutch ECL is mounted between the engine output shaft EOS and the first input shaft IS 1 , and selectively connects the engine output shaft EOS and the first input shaft IS 1 , controlling torque transmission therebetween. 
     The first clutch CL 1  is mounted between the first input shaft IS 1  and the second input shaft IS 2 , and selectively connects the first input shaft IS 1  and the second input shaft IS 2 , controlling torque transmission therebetween. 
     The second clutch CL 2  is mounted between the first external gear EG 1  and the first intermediate shaft CS 1 , and selectively connects the first external gear EG 1  and the first intermediate shaft CS 1 , controlling torque transmission therebetween. 
     The third clutch CL 3  is mounted between the second external gear EG 2  and the planet carrier PC, and selectively connects the second external gear EG 2  and the planet carrier PC, controlling torque transmission therebetween. 
     The fourth clutch CL 4  is mounted between the third external gear EG 3  and the output shaft OS, and selectively connects the third external gear EG 3  and the output shaft OS, controlling torque transmission therebetween. 
     The engagement elements of the engine clutch ECL and the first, second, third, and fourth clutches C 1 , C 2 , C 3 , and C 4  may be realized as multi-plate hydraulic pressure friction devices that are frictionally engaged by hydraulic pressure, however, it may not be understood to be limited thereto, since various other configuration that are electrically controllable may be available. 
     In the disclosure, when two or more members are described to be “fixedly connected”, where the member may be any of a shaft, an input shaft, an output shaft, a rotation member, and a transmission housing, it means that the fixedly connected members always rotate at a same speed. That is, rotation elements and/or shafts fixedly interconnected rotate in a same rotating direction and at a same rotation speed. 
     When two or more members are described to be “selectively connectable” by an engagement element, it means that the selectively connectable members rotate separately when the engagement element is not engaged, and rotates at a same speed when the engagement element is engaged. It may be understood that in the case that a member is “selectively connectable” with a transmission housing by an engagement element, the member may be stationary when the engagement element is engaged. 
     In an example, the fourth clutch CL 4  may be formed as a teeth engagement clutch, which is also referred to as a dog clutch, improving torque transmission efficiency to the output shaft OS, and reducing a length of a transmission. 
     The plurality of gear sets may be mounted in an order of the first, second, and third gear sets GT 1 , GT 2 , and GT 3  from an opposite side of the engine output shaft EOS. 
       FIG. 2  is a shifting operation chart for a power transmission apparatus configured for a hybrid vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and the power transmission apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment performs shifting operation as follows. 
     [The First Forward Speed] 
     In the first forward speed FD 1  in an engine mode, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the engine clutch ECL and the second and fourth clutches CL 2  and CL 4  are simultaneously operated 
     As a result, by the operation of the engine clutch ECL and the second clutch CL 2 , the torque of the engine ENG passes through the engine output shaft EOS, the first input shaft IS 1 , the first gear set GT 1 , the first intermediate shaft CS 1 , the third gear set GT 3 , the second intermediate shaft CS 2 , and the second gear set GT 2 . 
     As such, the torque received at the second gear set GT 2  is transmitted to the differential DIFF through the output shaft OS by the operation of the fourth clutch CL 4 , realizing the first forward speed. 
     The first forward speed FD 1  is described in connection with the engine mode where a vehicle is driven by the torque of the engine ENG, however, the parallel hybrid mode may also be available by merely additionally operating the motor/generator MG to supply an assistant torque. 
     Furthermore, when the motor/generator MG is operated while the engine clutch ECL is released and the engine ENG is stopped, a vehicle may be driven in the first forward speed FD 1  in an electric vehicle mode (EV mode) by the driving torque of the motor/generator MG In the instant case, the reverse speed may be realized by operating the motor/generator MG in a reverse direction thereof. 
     The shifting operation for the first forward speed FD 1  in the electric vehicle mode (EV mode) may be the same as in the first forward speed FD 1  in the engine mode, which is therefore not described in further detail. 
     [The Second Forward Speed] 
     In the second forward speed FD 2  in an engine mode, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the engine clutch ECL and the first and fourth clutches CL 1  and CL 4  are simultaneously operated 
     As a result, by the operation of the engine clutch ECL and the first clutch CL 1 , the torque of the engine ENG passes through the engine output shaft EOS, the second input shaft IS 2 , and the second gear set GT 2 . 
     As such, the torque received at the second gear set GT 2  is transmitted to the differential DIFF through the output shaft OS by the operation of the fourth clutch CL 4 , realizing the second forward speed. 
     The second forward speed FD 2  is described in connection with the engine mode where a vehicle is driven by the torque of the engine ENG, however, the parallel hybrid mode may also be available by merely additionally operating the motor/generator MG to supply an assistant torque. 
     Furthermore, when the motor/generator MG is operated while the engine clutch ECL is released and the engine ENG is stopped, a vehicle may be driven in the second forward speed FD 2  in an electric vehicle mode (EV mode) by the driving torque of the motor/generator MG. 
     The shifting operation for the second forward speed FD 2  in the electric vehicle mode (EV mode) may be the same as in the second forward speed FD 2  in the engine mode, which is therefore not described in further detail. 
     [The Third Forward Speed] 
     In the third forward speed FD 3  in an engine mode, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the engine clutch ECL and the third and fourth clutches CL 3  and CL 4  are simultaneously operated 
     As a result, by the operation of the engine clutch ECL and the third clutch CL 3 , the torque of the engine ENG passes through the engine output shaft EOS, the first input shaft IS 1 , and the first gear set GT 1 , and is transmitted to the planet carrier PC of the planetary gear set PG. 
     Furthermore, while the planetary gear set PG receives an input torque through the planet carrier PC, the second gear set GT 2  and the output shaft OS are interconnected by the operation of the fourth clutch CL 4 . Therefore, the planetary gear set PG forms a closed torque loop between the sun gear S and the ring gear R, and outputs the torque of the planet carrier PC to the differential DIFF through the output shaft OS, realizing the third forward speed FD 3 . 
     The third forward speed FD 3  is described in connection with the engine mode where a vehicle is driven by the torque of the engine ENG, however, the parallel hybrid mode may also be available by merely additionally operating the motor/generator MG to supply an assistant torque. 
     Furthermore, when the motor/generator MG is operated while the engine clutch ECL is released and the engine ENG is stopped, a vehicle may be driven in the third forward speed FD 3  in an electric vehicle mode (EV mode) by the driving torque of the motor/generator MG. 
     The shifting operation for the third forward speed FD 3  in the electric vehicle mode (EV mode) may be the same as in the third forward speed FD 3  in the engine mode, which is therefore not described in further detail. 
     [The Fourth Forward Speed] 
     In the fourth forward speed FD 4  in an engine mode, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the engine clutch ECL and the first and third clutches CL 1  and CL 3  are simultaneously operated 
     As a result, by the operation of the engine clutch ECL and the first clutch CL 1 , the torque of the engine ENG partially passes though the engine output shaft EOS, the second input shaft IS 2 , and the second gear set GT 2 , and is transmitted to the ring gear R of the planetary gear set PG. 
     Furthermore, by the operation of the engine clutch ECL and the third clutch CL 3 , the torque of the engine ENG partially passes though the engine output shaft EOS, the first input shaft IS 1 , and the first gear set GT 1 , and is transmitted to the planet carrier PC of the planetary gear set PG. 
     As such, the planetary gear set PG forms a shifted torque by a rotation speed difference between the ring gear R and the planet carrier PC, and outputs the shifted toque to the differential DIFF through the output shaft OS fixedly connected to the sun gear S, realizing the fourth forward speed FD 4  in the engine mode. 
     The fourth forward speed FD 4  is described in connection with the engine mode where a vehicle is driven by the torque of the engine ENG, however, the parallel hybrid mode may also be available by merely additionally operating the motor/generator MG to supply an assistant torque. 
     Furthermore, when the motor/generator MG is operated while the engine clutch ECL is released and the engine ENG is stopped, a vehicle may be driven in the fourth forward speed FD 4  in an electric vehicle mode (EV mode) by the driving torque of the motor/generator MG. 
     The shifting operation for the fourth forward speed FD 4  in the electric vehicle mode (EV mode) may be the same as in the fourth forward speed FD 4  in the engine mode, which is therefore not described in further detail. 
     [The Fifth Forward Speed] 
     In the fifth forward speed FD 5  in an engine mode, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the engine clutch ECL and the second and third clutches CL 2  and CL 3  are simultaneously operated 
     As a result, by the operation of the engine clutch ECL and the second clutch CL 2 , the torque of the engine ENG partially passes through the engine output shaft EOS, the first input shaft IS 1 , the first gear set GT 1 , the first intermediate shaft CS 1 , the third gear set GT 3 , the second intermediate shaft CS 2 , and the second gear set GT 2 , and is transmitted to the ring gear R of the planetary gear set PG. 
     Furthermore, by the operation of the engine clutch ECL and the third clutch CL 3 , the torque of the engine ENG partially passes though the engine output shaft EOS, the first input shaft IS 1 , and the first gear set GT 1 , and is transmitted to the planet carrier PC of the planetary gear set PG. 
     As such, the planetary gear set PG forms a shifted torque by a rotation speed difference between the ring gear R and the planet carrier PC, and outputs the shifted toque to the differential DIFF through the output shaft OS fixedly connected to the sun gear S, realizing the fifth forward speed FD 5  in the engine mode. 
     The fifth forward speed FD 5  is described in connection with the engine mode where a vehicle is driven by the torque of the engine ENG, however, the parallel hybrid mode may also be available by merely additionally operating the motor/generator MG to supply an assistant torque. 
     Furthermore, when the motor/generator MG is operated while the engine clutch ECL is released and the engine ENG is stopped, a vehicle may be driven in the fifth forward speed FD 5  in an electric vehicle mode (EV mode) by the driving torque of the motor/generator MG. 
     The shifting operation for the fifth forward speed FD 5  in the electric vehicle mode (EV mode) may be the same as in the fifth forward speed FD 5  in the engine mode, which is therefore not described in further detail. 
     As described above, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, multiple shifting stages may be realized by applying a planetary gear set to a dual clutch type transmission, and by further employing a motor/generator, an electric vehicle mode and a parallel hybrid mode may be realized to the multiple shifting stages. 
     Furthermore, by realizing multiple shifting stages while simplifying internal structure, shifting efficiency may be improved and an overall weight may be decreased, improving an installability and fuel consumption characteristics. 
     Furthermore, an electric vehicle mode and a hybrid mode may be realized by operating a motor/generator, improving fuel consumption characteristics. 
     While this invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the included exemplary embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent claims as well as various alternatives and modifications thereof. It is intended that the scope of the present invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents.” 
     For convenience in explanation and accurate definition in the appended claims, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “inner”, “outer”, “up”, “down”, “upwards”, “downwards”, “front”, “rear”, “back”, “inside”, “outside”, “inwardly”, “outwardly”, “internal”, “external”, “inner”, “outer”, “forwards”, and “backwards” are used to describe features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions of such features as displayed in the figures. It will be further understood that the term “connect” or its derivatives refer both to direct and indirect connection. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described to explain certain principles of the present invention and their practical application, to enable others skilled in the art to make and utilize various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, as well as various alternatives and modifications thereof. It is intended that the scope of the present invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents.