Nippon Soken, Inc.

Denso Corporation

Yuji Tokudome

Koji Kawasaki

Takenori Matsue

Mitsuo Inagaki

Oyuki Ogawa

A power transmission device includes a planetary gear set and a first and a second connecting mechanism. The planetary gear set receives power from a power source and outputs it to a power-driven member. The first connecting mechanism connects a first and a second rotor of the planetary gear set through a separate path. The second connecting mechanism connects the second rotor and a third rotor of the planetary gear set through a separate path. The controller is operable selectively in a first operation mode in which the second connecting mechanism is engaged, while the first connecting mechanism is disengaged and a second operation mode in which the second connecting mechanism is engaged, while the first connecting mechanism is disengaged. This ensures suitable mechanical connections among the power source, the power-driven member, and the power split mechanism which match with an operating condition of the power transmission device.

Power transmission device and power transmission system

An in-vehicle power transmission apparatus is equipped with a motor-generator working as an engine to drive a vehicle and a power split device made up of a plurality of power split rotors. A first one of the rotors is coupled to a driven wheel of the vehicle, while a second one of the rotors is coupled to an accessory such as an air compressor of an air conditioner. The speed of the second rotor is controllable independently of that of the driven wheel. This eases restrictions on the supply of power produced by the generator-motor to the accessory. Alternatively, the rotors are so linked that when the speed of the first rotor is not zero (0), the speed of the second rotor has one of zero (0) and a value other than zero (0), thus ensuring the stability in supplying the power to drive the vehicle to the accessory.

Growing community of inventors

Okazaki, Japan

Yuji Tokudome