Chrysler Corporation

Daimlerchrysler Corporation

Fca US LLC

Other

Sachs Automotive of America

Daimlerchysler Corporation

Richard G Reed, Jr

Donald L Carriere

Robert E Lawrie

Joseph E Kubina

Donald F Schmanski

Evan S Boberg

Kenneth Pachucki

Mircea Gradu

Michael P Kirk

Francois J Castaing

David J Rausen

Thomas S Moore

Del C Schroeder

Heiko Schulz-Andres

Gerald Cilibraise

William W Doolittle, Iii

Thomas L Kizer

Arthur J Buglione

Robert Malcolm

Edmund Tworkowski

Jeffrey P Cherry

Peter Doll

David G Buckingham

Joseph L Bair

Gerda Rudolph

Kenneth J Hartwig

Steven A Barnhart

David R Bernier

Kathi S Lee

Lewis Charles Eanes, Sr

Barrie G Craft

Edwin R Murray

George S Traub

Glenn E Lucas

John J Opra

Robert L Davis

Jeffrey R Cherry

Michael B Grosse Erdmann

A vehicle drive system capable of selectively providing all-wheel drive and single-driven-axle modes includes a front drive unit having a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear and a sun gear driven by the transaxle's drive spool via an input shaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby selectively provide both an available low range and a front axle disconnect. The front drive unit further defines a power take-off unit with a clutch selectively coupling the input shaft to a propshaft. The rear drive unit includes a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear, a sun gear driven by the propshaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby likewise selectively provide both an available low range and a rear axle disconnect.

Multi-mode drive system for transaxle applications

A hybrid vehicle includes an internal combustion engine coupled to a combined starter/motor/generator which is, in turn, coupled to a transmission of the vehicle. The starter/motor/generator is coupled to a high voltage battery pack via an inverter and to a deployable power output panel for serving loads external to the vehicle. Whenever external loads are to be powered, a control unit automatically places the vehicle in PARK, or alternatively activates an electrical parking brake system to hold the vehicle stationary.

Hybrid vehicle with integral generator for auxiliary loads

A method of controlling a dual clutch transmission of a motor vehicle, wherein the first clutch acts to transmit torque to the first driven gear, and the second clutch acts to transmit torque to the second driven gear. The steps involved in controlling the transmission include determining a predetermined first clutch slip value based on the perceived vehicle loading, initiating launch of the motor vehicle with both the first and the second clutch partially engaged, determining the vehicle inertia value based on the summation of instantaneous vehicle inertia values during vehicle launch, and controlling either the first or the second clutch to disengage when the predetermined first clutch slip value is reached.

Method of controlling a transmission having a dual clutch system

A method of converting an existing vehicle powertrain including a manual transmission to a hybrid powertrain system with an automated powertrain transmission. The first step in the method of attaching a gear train housing to a housing of said manual transmission, said gear train housing receiving as end of drive shaft of said transmission and rotatably supporting a gear train assembly. Secondly, mounting an electric motor/generator to said gear train housing and attaching a motor/generator drive shaft of said electric motor/generator to said gear train assembly. Lastly, connecting an electro-mechanical clutch actuator to a friction clutch mechanism of said manual transmission.

Method of converting an existing vehicle powertrain to a hybrid powertrain system

A gear preselect system is provided for a transmission having dual input shafts in order to delay a gear preselect change until the last moment possible. The transmission controller determines the speed at which the next shift will occur and determines the preselect speed at which the preselect should occur in order for the preselect to take place prior to the time for shifting to the next gear. When the current vehicle speed is equal to or greater than the preselect speed, the transmission controller preselects the next higher gear.

Gear preselect system for an electro-mechanical automatic transmission having dual input shafts

A parking sprag is provided for engaging a parking gear of an automotive transmission. The parking sprag includes a sprag mechanism pivotally mounted to a support structure. A linkage assembly operatively engages the sprag mechanism for pivoting the sprag mechanism into engagement with the parking gear. A linkage cam engaged with the linkage assembly and is driven by an electric motor. The electric motor drives the linkage cam which drives the linkage assembly in order to engage the sprag mechanism with the parking gear.

Electric parking sprag

An electro-mechanical automatic transmission is provided including a first input shaft and a second input shaft concentric with the first input shaft. A plurality of drive gears are rotatably mounted to each input shaft and are provided with synchronizer devices for selectively engaging the drive gears to the input shafts. A driver shaft is provided with a plurality of driven gears in meshing engagement with the drive gears. The electro-mechanical automatic transmission is provided with a pair of electro-mechanical clutch actuators for selectively disengaging dual clutches which transmit engine torque to the input shafts, as well as an electro-mechanical shift actuator system which operatively engage the synchronizer devices for selectively engaging the drive gears.

Electro-mechanical automatic transmission having dual input shafts

A lubrication system is provided for a transmission including a lubrication pump driven by a reverse idler gear. The lubrication pump is supported by a partition plate having an inlet passage and an outlet passage formed therein for communicating with the lubrication pump. The outlet passage communicates with an input shaft extending through the partition plate for supplying lubrication fluid to a central passage in the input shaft.

Lubrication system for an automatic transmission having dual input shafts

A transmission is provided with a hill holder device including an overrunning one-way clutch mounted on a driveshaft of the transmission for selective engagement by a transmission controller in order to prevent the vehicle from rolling backward on a hill.

Electro-mechanical automatic transmission having a hill holder function

A powertrain system for a hybrid vehicle. The hybrid vehicle includes a heat engine, such as a diesel engine, and an electric machine, which operates as both, an electric motor and an alternator, to power the vehicle. The hybrid vehicle also includes a manual-style transmission configured to operate as an automatic transmission from the perspective of the driver. The engine and the electric machine drive an input shaft which in turn drives an output shaft of the transmission. In addition to driving the transmission, the electric machine regulates the speed of the input shaft in order to synchronize the input shaft during either an upshift or downshift of the transmission by either decreasing or increasing the speed of the input shaft. When decreasing the speed of the input shaft, the electric motor functions as an alternator to produce electrical energy which may be stored by a storage device. Operation of the transmission is controlled by a transmission controller which receives input signals and generates output signals to control shift and clutch motors to effect smooth launch, upshift shifts, and downshifts of the transmission, so that the transmission functions substantially as an automatic transmission from the perspective of the driver, while internally substantially functioning as a manual transmission.

Automated manual transmission shift sequence controller

A dual clutch system is provided for a transmission having dual input shafts. The dual clutch system includes first and second flywheels as well as first and second friction disk assemblies and first and second pressure plates for pressing against said first and second friction disk assemblies, respectively. The pressure plates are each operatively engaged by an electromechanical clutch actuator.

Dual clutch design for and electro-mechanical automatic transmission

A powertrain system for a hybrid vehicle. The hybrid vehicle includes a heat engine, such as a diesel engine, and an electric machine, which operates as both an electric motor and an alternator, to power the vehicle. The hybrid vehicle also includes a manual-style transmission configured to operate as an automatic transmission from the perspective of the driver. The engine and the electric machine drive an input shaft which in turn drives an output shaft of the transmission. In addition to driving the transmission, the electric machine regulates the speed of the input shaft in order to synchronize the input shaft during either an upshift or downshift of the transmission by either decreasing or increasing the speed of the input shaft. When decreasing the speed of the input shaft, the electric motor functions as an alternator to produce electrical energy which may be stored by a storage device. Operation of the transmission is controlled by a transmission controller which receives input signals and generates output signals to control shift and clutch motors to effect smooth launch, upshift shifts, and downshifts of the transmission, so that the transmission functions substantially as an automatic transmission from the perspective of the driver, while internally substantially functioning as a manual transmission.

Automated manual transmission controller

An electro-mechanical clutch actuator is provided for disengaging a clutch of a transmission. The clutch actuator includes an assist spring for reducing the amount of motor torque required for operating the clutch actuator. The clutch actuator also includes a self adjustment feature which accommodates for clutch disk wear.

Electro-mechanical clutch actuator

Automated manual transmission clutch controller

Growing community of inventors

Royal Oak, MI, United States of America

Richard G Reed, Jr