1. Technical Field
The invention generally relates to power transmissions, particularly to interfaces between power sources and gearboxes.
2. Related Art
In a conventional automobile, an engine drives wheels by means of a torque converter of gearbox. A gearbox made by a car manufacture can not be used to couple an engine made by another car manufacture due to a compatibility problem. If a user wants to change a different brand of gearbox, he or she must proceed with complicated engineering for matching. It is very uneconomical.
On the other side, electric vehicles will become more important than ever because of rises in petroleum price and awareness of environmental protection. Motors are a primary power source of electric vehicles. When we want to replace an engine with an electric motor, the first difficulty is the problem of compatibility between the motor and gearbox. An output shaft of a motor can not match an existing gearbox for an engine.
An object of the invention is to provide an interface module for a motor and a gearbox which improves compatibility between a motor and a gearbox with less limitation of changing different makers or specifications. Furthermore, the invention can be used in an electric car which is made by replacing an engine with a motor. Thus the production or adaptation costs can be effectively reduced.
To accomplish the above object, the invention provides an interface module for connecting a motor and a gearbox. The interface module includes a gearbox cover for covering the gearbox and a connecting member disposed therein. The connecting member has a first face and a second face. The first face and the second face connect to an output shaft of a motor and a torque converter of the gearbox, respectively. The modulized interface can simplify components matching the motor and gearbox when their specifications change. For example, the motor does not need to change when specification of the gearbox changes. Thus compatibility of gearbox or motor can be improved with less limitation of changing different makers or specifications.
Referring to
The abovementioned components are disposed in an order as gearbox 3, connecting member 4, gearbox cover 30 and motor 5. In other words, the connecting member 4 is disposed between the gearbox 3 and the gearbox cover 30, and the gearbox cover 30 is disposed between the motor 5 and the connecting member 4. The output shaft 50 of the motor 5 penetrates the gearbox cover 30 to connect the connecting member 4. Further referring to
The gearbox 3 has an outer shell 31. The torque converter 32 is accommodated in the outer shell 31. Usually, the torque converter 32 is provided with installation portions 320 for connecting with an engine. Besides, the outer shell 31 has an open portion 310 facing the motor 5. The open portion 310 allows the output shaft 50 to enter the outer shell 31 for connecting with the torque converter 32 through the connecting member 4.
Referring to
Referring to
The connecting member 4 is provided with a plurality of installing holes 42 around the shaft sleeve 401. The installing holes 42 penetrate the first face 40 and the second face 41, and correspond to the installation portions 320 of the torque converter 32 of the gearbox 3. This makes the connecting member 4 fixedly connect the torque converter 32. In other words, the output shaft 50 of the motor 5 synchronously drives the torque converter to operate when the connecting member 4 is driven by the motor 5.
In sum, the advantages of the invention are that:
While the forgoing is directed to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. As such, the appropriate scope of the invention is to be determined according to the claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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097210901 | Jun 2008 | TW | national |