Systems and methods for control of transmission and/or prime mover
View Patent ↗Disclosed here are inventive systems and methods for a powertrain of an electric vehicle (EV). In some embodiments, said powertrain includes a continuously variable transmission (CVT) coupled to an electric drive motor, wherein a control system is configured to control the CVT and/or the drive motor to optimize various efficiencies associated with the EV and/or its subsystems. In one specific embodiment, the control system is configured to operate the EV in an economy mode. Operating in said mode, the control system simultaneously manages the CVT and the drive motor to optimize the range of the EV. The control system can be configured to manage the current provided to the drive motor, as well as adjust a transmission speed ratio of the CVT. Other modes of operation are also disclosed. The control system can be configured to manage the power to the drive motor and adjust the transmission speed ratio of the CVT taking into account battery voltage, throttle position, and transmission speed ratio, for example.
1. A drive system comprising:
a continuously variable transmission (CVT) having a plurality of spherical planets arranged radially about a longitudinal axis of the transmission;
a control system coupled to the CVT, the control system comprising:
a mechanical actuator coupled to the CVT;
a controller configured to be in electrical communication with the mechanical actuator, the controller configured to control the mechanical actuator;
a data display configured to be in electrical communication with the controller, the data display having at least one button for selecting from a plurality of operating modes;
a plurality of sensors coupled to the controller; and
a shifter interface coupled to the actuator motor, the shifter interface configured to adjust the plurality of tiltable spherical planets, wherein the CVT is enclosed in a housing integrated into a wheel of an electric vehicle, the housing adapted to cooperate with the mechanical actuator, and wherein the mechanical actuator is configured to adjust an angle of the tiltable spherical planets based at least in part on one of the plurality of operating modes and on an indication of transmission speed ratio of the CVT.
2. The drive system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to control the mechanical actuator based at least in part on data indicative of a transmission speed ratio and a vehicle speed.
3. The drive system of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprises a sensor configured to provide vehicle speed data.
4. The drive system of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprises a sensor configured to provide data associated with the transmission speed ratio of the CVT.
5. The drive system of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprises a sensor configured to provide data associated with a battery voltage.
6. The drive system of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprises a sensor configured to provide data associated with a current level provided to an electric drive motor.
7. A control system for use with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), the CVT having a plurality of tiltable spherical power adjusters, the control system comprising:
a controller configured to provide a plurality of operating modes for the CVT, said modes being selectable by a user of the CVT;
an actuator motor coupled to the CVT and in electrical communication with the controller;
a drive motor coupled to the CVT and in electrical communication with the controller;
an actuator position sensor coupled to the actuator motor and in electrical communication with the controller, wherein the actuator position sensor is configured to provide an indication of a transmission speed ratio of the CVT;
a shifter interface coupled to the actuator motor, the shifter interface configured to adjust the plurality of tiltable spherical power adjusters; and
a user interface configured to communicate with the controller, the user interface having a display and at least one button for selecting from the plurality of operating modes, wherein the CVT is enclosed in a housing integrated into a wheel of an electric vehicle, the housing adapted to cooperate with the actuator motor, the drive motor, and the actuator position sensor, and wherein the actuator motor is configured to adjust an angle of the tiltable spherical power adjusters based at least in part on one of the plurality of operating modes and on the indication of transmission speed ratio of the CVT.
8. The control system of claim 7 , wherein said operating modes comprise an economy mode and a performance mode.
9. The control system of claim 7 , wherein said operating modes comprise a hill climbing mode.
10. The control system of claim 7 , wherein the controller is configured to provide a current to the drive motor, the level of said current being dependent at least partially on the selected mode.
11. The control system of claim 10 , wherein the level of said current is further dependent on a battery voltage.
12. The control system of claim 10 , wherein the level of said current is further dependent on a throttle position.
13. The control system of claim 10 , wherein the level of said current is further dependent on data associated with an efficiency of the drive motor versus current draw.