IP Library Granted Patent US 12673547
Granted Patent B1
US 12673547 · App. 19/057,094 · Granted Jul 7, 2026

Architecture for multiple power source work vehicle powertrain

Inventor: Kyle K. McKinzie (Oswego, KS)
Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
B60K6/547B60K6/365B60K6/387B60K17/02B60K17/08E02F9/202F16H3/66F16H57/021B60Y2200/92F16H2057/02034F16H2057/02056F16H2200/0034F16H2200/2007
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12673547
App. No.
19/057,094
Granted
Jul 7, 2026
Kind
B1
Abstract

A powertrain for a work vehicle includes an engine and a transmission. The transmission includes a continuously variable power source (CVP), and a variator that is operably connected to the engine and the CVP. The variator includes a first planetary gear set and a second planetary gear set. A range shaft has a range shaft output gear secured thereto and an output shaft has an output shaft gear driven by the range shaft output gear. A first mode selector clutch has a first input component enmeshed with an output gear of the first planetary gear set and a first output component connected to the range shaft and a second mode selector clutch has a second input component enmeshed with an output gear of the second planetary gear set and a second output component connected to the range shaft input gear. The first mode selector clutch and the second mode selector clutch are selectively operable to couple the first input component with the first output component or the second input component with the second output component and thereby transfer power from the variator to the output shaft.

Claims (39)

1 . A powertrain for a work vehicle, comprising:

an engine having an output shaft; and

a transmission, comprising:

a continuously variable power source (CVP) having an output shaft mounting an output gear;

a variator that is operably connected to the engine and the CVP, wherein the variator comprises a first planetary gear set and a second planetary gear set;

a range shaft having a range shaft output gear mounted thereto;

a clutch shaft;

a forward clutch having an input component mounted to the output shaft of the engine and having an output component configured to directly transfer power from the engine to the variator when the input component of the forward clutch is coupled with the output component of the forward clutch;

a reverse clutch having an input component driven by the output shaft of the engine and having an output component mounted to the clutch shaft;

a first mode selector clutch having a first input component enmeshed with an output gear of the first planetary gear set and a first output component mounted to the range shaft;

a second mode selector clutch having a second input component enmeshed with an output gear of the second planetary gear set and a second output component mounted to the range shaft;

a third mode selector clutch having a third input component enmeshed with both the output gear of the CVP and an input gear of the first planetary gear set and having a third output component mounted to the clutch shaft; and

an output shaft having an output shaft gear driven by the range shaft output gear;

wherein the first mode selector clutch and the second mode selector clutch are selectively operable to couple the first input component with the first output component or the second input component with the second output component and thereby transfer power from the variator to the output shaft.

2 . The powertrain of claim 1 , wherein the first planetary gear set is a low planetary gear set and the second planetary gear set is a high planetary gear set.

3 . The powertrain of claim 2 , wherein the output gear of the first planetary gear set is a carrier of the first planetary gear set.

4 . The powertrain of claim 2 , wherein the output gear of the second planetary gear set is a ring gear of the second planetary gear set.

5 . The powertrain of claim 1 , wherein the powertrain is operated in a first mode in which the third mode selector clutch is engaged to transfer power to both the clutch shaft and the variator using power from the CVP, a second mode in which the first mode selector clutch is engaged and the third mode selector clutch is disengaged, and a third mode in which the second mode selector clutch is engaged.

6 . The powertrain of claim 1 , further including a clutch shaft output gear mounted to the clutch shaft, wherein the clutch shaft output gear is operable to transfer power to the variator.

7 . The powertrain of claim 1 , wherein the CVP operates in a first direction and an opposite second direction while the output shaft is driven in the first direction.

8 . A transmission for a work vehicle having an engine, the transmission comprising:

a housing having disposed therein:

a continuously variable power source (CVP) having an output shaft mounting an output gear;

a variator that is operably connected to the engine and the CVP, wherein the variator comprises a first planetary gear set and a second planetary gear set;

a range shaft having a range shaft output gear mounted thereto;

a clutch shaft;

a forward clutch having an input component mounted to an output shaft of the engine and having an output component configured to directly transfer power from the engine to the variator when the input component of the forward clutch is coupled with the output component of the forward clutch;

a reverse clutch having an input component driven by the output shaft of the engine and having an output component driving the clutch shaft;

a first mode selector clutch having a first input component enmeshed with an output gear of the first planetary gear set and a first output component configured to drive the range shaft;

a second mode selector clutch having a second input component enmeshed with an output gear of the second planetary gear set and a second output component configured to drive the range shaft; and

a third mode selector clutch having a third input component enmeshed with both the output gear of the CVP and an input gear of the first planetary gear set and having a third output component mounted to the clutch shaft; and

an output shaft driven by the range shaft output gear;

wherein the first mode selector clutch and the second mode selector clutch are selectively operable to couple the first input component with the first output component or the second input component with the second output component and thereby transfer power from the variator to the output shaft.

9 . The transmission of claim 8 , wherein the first planetary gear set is a low planetary gear set and the second planetary gear set is a high planetary gear set.

10 . The transmission of claim 9 , wherein the output gear of the first planetary gear set is a carrier of the first planetary gear set.

11 . The transmission of claim 9 , wherein the output gear of the second planetary gear set is a ring gear of the second planetary gear set.

12 . The transmission of claim 8 , wherein the work vehicle is operated in a first mode in which the third mode selector clutch is engaged to transfer power to both the clutch shaft and the variator using power generated by the CVP, a second mode in which the first mode selector clutch is engaged, and a third mode in which the second mode selector clutch is engaged.

13 . The transmission of claim 8 , further including a clutch shaft output gear mounted to the clutch shaft, wherein the clutch shaft output gear is operable to transfer power from the clutch shaft to the variator.

14 . The transmission of claim 8 , wherein the CVP operates in a first direction and an opposite second direction while the output shaft is driven in the first direction.