US5117931A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle power transmission apparatus having an engine starting function
Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
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Filing: 1991-01-24
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Granted: 1992-06-02
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Expires: 2011-01-24
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle power transmission apparatus having an engine starting function is provided which is small in size and has a high degree of freedom and accuracy in controlling torque transmission. The apparatus comprises torque transmitting means including a differential gear mechanism and having at least three (first through third) rotation shafts; an engine operatively connected with the first rotation shaft of the torque transmitting means; a transmission connected with the second rotation shaft for transmitting torque to a drive shaft of the vehicle; an electric motor connected with the third shaft of the torque transmitting means; a power transducer for controlling the electric motor; an electric power source for supplying power to the electric motor through the power transducer; and a controller for controlling the power transducer in such a manner that the electric motor operates as a power source or a load in dependence upon the operating condition of the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Minoru Nishida
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 15:12
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60W; B60W20/00; B60W20/30; B60W30/00; B60W30/18; B60W30/18009; B60W30/18027; B60K; B60K6/00; B60K6/20; B60K6/22; B60K6/36; B60K6/365; B60K6/42; B60K6/48; B60K7/00; B60K7/0007; B60W10/00; B60W10/04; B60W10/06; B60W10/08; B60W10/10; F; F16; F16H; F16H3/00; F16H3/44; F16H3/72; F16H3/724; B60K1/00; B60K1/02; B60K17/00; B60K17/04; B60K17/043; B60K6/26; B60K2006/268; B60K2007/0061; B60L; B60L2220/00; B60L2220/40; B60L2220/46; B60L2240/00; B60L2240/40; B60L2240/42; B60L2240/421; B60L2240/423; B60L2240/48; B60L2240/486; B60W2510/00; B60W2510/08; B60W2510/081; B60W2510/10; B60W2510/104; B60W2540/00; B60W2540/06; B60W2540/10; B60W2710/00; B60W2710/08; B60W2710/083; F16H59/00; F16H59/36; F16H59/38; F16H59/40; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/40; Y02T10/60; Y02T10/62; Y02T10/64; Y10; Y10S; Y10S903/00; Y10S903/902; Y10S903/903; Y10S903/904; Y10S903/909; Y10S903/91; Y10S903/915; Y10S903/917; Y10S903/945
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
A vehicle power transmission apparatus having a starter function comprising: torque transmitting means including a differential gear mechanism and having at least a first, a second and a third rotation shaft; an engine operatively connected with said first rotation shaft of said torque transmitting means; a transmission connected with said second rotation shaft for transmitting torque to a drive shaft of a vehicle; an electric motor connected with said third shaft of said torque transmitting means; a power transducer for converting said electric motor from operating as a power source to operating as a generator; a controller for controlling said power transducer in such a manner that said electric motor operates as a power source for starting said engine or as a generator for applying a variable load to said engine through said differential so as to variably control the torque applied by said engine to said drive shaft; and, an electric power source for supplying power to said electric motor through said power transducer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
A vehicle power transmission apparatus having a starter function comprising: torque transmitting means including a differential gear mechanism and having at least a first, a second and a third rotation shaft; an engine operatively connected with said first rotation shaft of said torque transmitting means; a transmission connected with said second rotation shaft for transmitting torque to a drive shaft of a vehicle; an electric motor connected with said third shaft of said torque transmitting means; a power transducer for converting said electric motor from operating as a power source to operating as a generator; a controller for controlling said power transducer in such a manner that said electric motor operates as a power source for starting said engine or as a generator for applying a variable load to said engine through said differential so as to variably control the torque applied by said engine to said drive shaft; and, an electric power source for supplying power to said electric motor through said power transducer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
A vehicle power transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said controller controls said power transducer so as to operate said electric motor as a power source for starting said engine when said second rotation shaft of said transmitting means is locked against rotation and when said engine is being started.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
A vehicle power transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said transmission has a plurality of operational positions, and wherein said controller controls said power transducer in such a manner that the torque of said electric motor varies in synchronization with a change in the operational position of said transmission to perform an on-off control on the transmission of torque from said engine to said transmission.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A vehicle power transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said torque is transmitted from said engine to said transmission through said differential.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-06-02 | 1995-12-02 | 1996-06-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-06-02 | 1999-12-02 | 2000-06-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-06-02 | 2003-12-02 | 2004-06-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |