Hybrid Powertrain Engine Locking for Bidirectional Electric Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hybrid vehicle transmissions fail to effectively utilize both electric machines in reverse gear, leading to oversizing and increased electricity consumption due to the limitation of the planet carrier being locked only in forward gear, resulting in inefficient energy performance.
Innovation Solution
A powertrain mechanism with a pivoting locking finger and control system that allows the thermal engine to be locked in both directions of rotation, enabling the generator to function as a motor in forward and reverse gears, and the electric machines to be used efficiently in both directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the planet carrier is locked using a freewheel system, then the generator can be used as the prime mover in forward gear, but the system cannot utilize both electric machines in reverse gear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional freewheel mechanism by introducing a reversible locking system that can engage in both forward and reverse directions. The locking finger with spring mechanism replaces the unidirectional freewheel, enabling bidirectional engagement of the planet carrier to allow both electric machines to operate as motors in reverse gear.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions: it can lock the planet carrier in forward gear operation and also enable reverse gear operation with both electric machines functioning as motors. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate mechanisms for different operating modes.
2Quantity of substance
If the generator is not used in reverse gear, then the system structure remains simple, but the electric machines must be oversized to handle all operational requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a complex bidirectional freewheel system or oversizing the electric machines, the patent inverts the approach by using a simple spring-loaded locking finger that can engage in reverse. This allows the generator to function as a motor in reverse without requiring complex additional mechanisms or larger electric machine dimensions.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a traditional unidirectional locking mechanism is used, then the device complexity is low, but the energy performance deteriorates due to inability to use both electric machines efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed with universal applicability across different operating modes (forward and reverse gears). The spring-loaded locking finger can engage and disengage based on operational requirements, enabling both electric machines to contribute to torque in reverse gear, thereby improving overall energy efficiency without requiring separate mechanisms for each mode.
Data Source
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AI summary
A powertrain for a hybrid propulsion or traction motor vehicle, comprising: - a first machine (40) comprising a rotor (41) secured to the sun gear (32) of a power-splitting planetary gear train (30) and configured to be coupled to or decoupled from the wheels of the vehicle via a differential assembly (80), - a second machine (50) comprising a rotor (51) secured to a secondary shaft (60) and configured to be coupled to or decoupled from the wheels of the vehicle via a differential assembly (80), and - a combustion engine (20), characterized in that it comprises a mechanism (100) for blocking the combustion engine that comprises a controlled pivoting blocking finger configured to engage with at least one notch (21a) borne by a rotating element (21) of the combustion engine that is connected to the crankshaft (20).