Multiple motor multiple speed continuous power transmission
An electric powertrain includes a first electric motor that has an uninterrupted connection with a drive shaft of a vehicle. The electric powertrain further includes a second electric motor that has an interruptible connection with the drive shaft. In one form, this interruptible connection includes a clutch. The electric powertrain further includes a first gear train in the form of a first planetary gear and a second gear train in the form of a second planetary gear. To provide a compact configuration, the first electric motor and second electric motor are arranged in a centerline orientation with the drive shaft.
1. A powertrain system, comprising:
an output;
a first electric motor having an uninterrupted connection to an output;
a second electric motor having an interruptible connection to the output;
wherein the interruptible connection includes a clutch and a planetary gear coupled to the second electric motor;
wherein the clutch includes a dog clutch;
wherein the planetary gear includes a sun gear, and one or more planet gears engaged between the sun gear and the ring gear;
first range member connected to the planet gear;
a second range member connected to the sun gear;
wherein the dog clutch has a neutral position, a first range position, and a second range position;
wherein the dog clutch at the neutral position does not engage the first range member and the second range member;
wherein the dog clutch at the first range position engages the first range member to increase torque from the second electric motor; and
wherein the dog clutch at the second range position engages the second range member to reduce torque from the second electric motor.
2. The powertrain system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second electric motors are low speed motors with a maximum speed of less than 5,000 rpm.
3. The powertrain system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second electric motors are high speed motors with a maximum speed of at least 5,000 rpm.
4. The powertrain system of claim 1 , wherein the output is configured to move a 40,000 pound or more vehicle.
5. A powertrain system, comprising:
an output;
a first electric motor having an uninterrupted connection to the output;
a second electric motor having an interruptible connection to the output;
wherein the second electric motor is configured to supply power to the output via at least two planetary gears and a clutch;
wherein the clutch includes a dog clutch;
wherein the planetary gears include a first planetary gear and a second planetary gear:
a first output shaft connected to the first electric motor;
a second output shaft connected to the second electric motor;
wherein the first planetary gear is coupled between the first output shaft and the output to increase torque from the first electric motor;
wherein the second planetary gear is connected to the second out lit shaft;
wherein the clutch is configured to selectively engage the second output shaft and the second planetary gear to chat torque from the second electric motor;
wherein the first output shaft and the second output shaft are coupled in an end-to-end engagement; and
wherein the first output shaft and the second output shaft are aligned along a longitudinal axis.
6. The powertrain system of claim 5 , wherein the first and second electric motors are high speed motors with a maximum speed of at least 5,000 rpm.
7. The powertrain system of claim 5 , wherein the first and second electric motors are low speed motors with a maximum speed of less than 5,000 rpm.
8. The powertrain system of claim 5 , wherein the output is configured to move a 40,000 pound or more vehicle.
9. A powertrain system, comprising:
an output;
a first electric motor with an uninterrupted connection to the output;
a second electric motor with an interruptible connection to the output;
wherein the second electric motor is connected to the output via a clutch;
wherein the clutch includes a 3-way dog clutch;
wherein the power is supplied to the output solely through the electric motors;
wherein the first and second electric motors are high speed motors with a rated operating speed of at east 5,000 rpm;
wherein the interruptible connection includes a clutch and a planetary gear coupled to the second electric motor;
wherein the planetary gear includes a sun gear, a ring gear, and one or more planet gears engaged between the sun gear and the ring gear;
a first range member connected to the planet gears;
a second range member connected to the sun gear;
wherein the dog clutch has a neutral position, a first range position, and a second range position;
wherein the dog clutch at the neutral position does not engage the first range member and the second range member;
wherein the dog clutch at the first range position engages the first range member to increase torque from the second electric motor; and
wherein the dog clutch at the second range position engages the second range member to reduce torque from the second electric motor.
10. The powertrain system of claim 9 , wherein the uninterrupted connection of the first electric motor includes a first gear train configured to reduce speed.
11. The powertrain system of claim 10 , wherein the interruptible connection of the second electric motor includes a second gear train.
12. The powertrain system of claim 10 , wherein the first gear train includes a planetary gear.
13. The powertrain system of claim 1 , wherein the uninterrupted connection of the first electric motor includes a first gear train configured to reduce speed.
14. The powertrain system of claim 13 , wherein:
the first gear train includes a first planetary gear; and
the first planetary gear is coupled between the first electric motor and the output.
15. The powertrain system of claim 14 , wherein the first electric motor has a first output shaft and the second electric motor has a second output shaft axially aligned along a longitudinal axis.
16. The powertrain system of claim 15 , wherein the first planetary gear is coupled between the first electric motor and the output.
17. The powertrain system of claim 1 , wherein the power is supplied to the output solely through the electric motors.
18. The powertrain system of claim 1 , wherein the first electric motor has a first output shaft and the second electric motor has a second output shaft axially aligned along a longitudinal axis.
19. The powertrain system of claim 18 , wherein the first output shaft and the second output shaft are coupled in an end-to-end engagement.
20. The powertrain system of claim 1 , wherein the first electric motor, the second electric motor, the planetary gear, and the output are aligned along a longitudinal axis.
21. The powertrain system of claim 5 , wherein the power is supplied to the output solely through the electric motors.
22. The powertrain system of claim 5 , further comprising:
wherein the second planetary gear includes a sun gear, a ring gear, and one or more planet gears engaged between the sun gear and the ring gear;
a first range member connected to the planet gears; and
a second range member connected to the sun gear.
23. The powertrain system of claim 22 , wherein:
the dog clutch has a neutral position, a first range position, and a second range position;
the dog clutch at the neutral position does not engage the first range member and the second range member;
the dog clutch at the first range position engages the first range member to increase torque from the second electric motor; and
the dog clutch at the second range position engages the second range member to reduce torque from the second electric motor.
24. The powertrain system of claim 12 , wherein the first electric motor has a first output shaft and the second electric motor has a second output shaft axially aligned along a longitudinal axis.
25. The powertrain system of claim 24 , wherein the first planetary gear is coupled between the first electric motor and the output.