The invention relates to the field of transmissions for motor vehicles. It relates in particular to a transmission assembly intended to be arranged between a combustion engine and a gearbox of a motor vehicle.
It relates in particular to a transmission assembly for a motor vehicle of the hybrid type in which an electric machine is arranged in the transmission system between the engine and the gearbox.
Transmission assemblies arranged between the gearbox and the combustion engine, having an electric machine and a clutch on the engine side allowing the crankshaft of the combustion engine to be rotationally coupled to the rotor of the electric machine, are known in the existing art. It is thus possible to shut off the internal combustion engine at each stop, and to restart it thanks to the electric machine. The electric machine can also constitute an electrical brake or can supply surplus energy to the combustion engine in order to assist it or prevent it from stalling. The electric machine can also provide drive for the vehicle. When the engine is running the electric machine plays the part of an alternator.
In order to filter vibrations brought about by irregularities of the combustion engine, it is known to integrate pendulum dampers, also called “pendulum oscillators” or “pendulums,” into the transmission assemblies recited above. In the absence of such dampers, vibrations penetrating into the gearbox would produce particularly undesirable impacts, noise, or acoustic annoyances therein during operation. Transmission assemblies of this kind equipped with a pendulum damper are disclosed in particular in the documents US 2011/0162480 and WO 12136179.
The performance of a pendulum damper in terms of filtering irregularities increases in particular with the mass of the pendulum flyweights that are used. Pendulum dampers of the existing art are consequently of significant size in order to achieve satisfactory performance. A hybrid transmission assembly as described above is, however, subject to severe size constraints so that it can be installed between the engine and gearbox of the vehicle.
The pendulum dampers integrated into hybrid transmission assemblies such as those described in the existing art thus do not allow satisfactory filtering performance to be achieved given the size constraints that must be complied with. This is even more problematic given that the development of new, fuel-efficient engine solutions results in an increase in their irregularities.
An idea on which the invention is based is that of proposing a transmission assembly for a hybrid vehicle which is equipped with means allowing effective absorption of vibrations.
According to an embodiment the invention provides a transmission assembly for a motor vehicle, intended to be arranged between a combustion engine having a crankshaft and a gearbox having an input shaft, said assembly comprising:
The mechanical reducer is thus disposed between the pendulum damper and the intermediate shaft in such a way that the effects of the pendulum damper on the rotational irregularities of the intermediate shaft become amplified. Such a configuration thus allows the pendulum damper to achieve satisfactory filtering performance while complying with size requirements.
The mechanical reducer furthermore allows the performance of the electric machine to be enhanced by limiting its operation at low speed, at which its efficiency is lower.
According to other advantageous embodiments such an assembly can exhibit one or more of the following characteristics:
According to an embodiment the invention provides a motor vehicle equipped with a transmission assembly recited above.
The invention will be better understood, and other objectives, details, characteristics, and advantages thereof will emerge more clearly, in the course of the description below of several particular embodiments of the invention, provided solely for illustrative and not limiting purposes and referring to the attached Figures.
In these Figures:
In the description and the claims the terms “outer” and “inner,” as well as the orientations “axial” and “radial,” will be used to designate elements of the transmission assembly in accordance with the definitions given in the description. By convention, the “radial” orientation is directed orthogonally to the rotation axis X of the transmission assembly which determines the “axial” orientation; and, moving from inside to outside away from said axis X, the “circumferential” orientation is directed orthogonally to the rotation axis X of the transmission assembly and orthogonally to the radial direction. The terms “outer” and “inner” are used to define the relative position of one element with respect to another with reference to the axis X; an element close to the axis is thus referred to as “inner” as opposed to an “outer” element located radially at the periphery. The terms “rear” (AR) and “front” (AV) are furthermore used to define the relative position of one element with respect to another along the axial direction, an element intended to be placed close to the combustion engine being designated “rear” and an element intended to be placed close to the gearbox being designated “front.”
Referring to
Intermediate shaft 4 has a rear end interacting with a clutch (not depicted) allowing the crankshaft of the combustion engine to be rotationally coupled to intermediate shaft 4. To achieve this, the rear end of intermediate shaft 4 is equipped with splines (not depicted) intended to interact with a splined means of a clutch disk. The clutch has a clutch cover fastened on the outer periphery of the engine flywheel, a movable pressure plate, an annular diaphragm axially loading the pressure plate, and a release bearing capable of causing the diaphragm to pivot so as to displace the pressure plate. The pressure plate is thus capable of being displaced toward an engaged position in which it clamps the friction linings of the clutch disk against a reaction plate carried by the engine flywheel. In an engaged position, driving torque is then transmitted from the crankshaft of the combustion engine to intermediate shaft 4. According to an embodiment, the engine flywheel is a dual mass flywheel.
Intermediate shaft 4 is furthermore intended to be rotationally coupled to an input shaft 34 of the gearbox by means of a torsional damper 5. The assembly is thus capable of transmitting a torque between the crankshaft of the combustion engine and the input shaft of the gearbox.
Electric machine 1 is a reversible rotating electric machine of the alternator/starter type. In starter mode the clutch is engaged and the electric machine allows starting of the combustion engine. In alternator mode the electric machine allows a battery of the vehicle to be recharged and/or allows energy-consuming elements or accessories to be powered while the combustion engine is running. It is furthermore configured to recover energy upon braking of the vehicle. Electric machine 1 can be configured in particular to shut off the combustion engine, for example at red lights or in traffic jams, and then to start it (“stop and go” function). In an embodiment it is capable of supplying additional power (“boost” function). The electric machine is furthermore capable of driving the vehicle at least over a short distance, the clutch then being disengaged and the combustion engine shut off.
Electric machine 1 is a polyphase electric machine. The stator of the electric machine has a winding equipped with a plurality of coils distributed circumferentially around the axis X. The coils are interconnected to one another with the aid of an interconnector 6. In
In an embodiment, interconnector 6 has four annularly shaped frames extending in a radial plane. The frames are electrically conductive, being made e.g. of copper or advantageously of another weldable metallic material. These frames are stacked axially on one another and electrically insulated from one another. Preferably the frames are embedded in a body made of electrically insulating material, such as a plastic material. Each frame carries on its inner periphery tabs extending radially protrudingly toward the inside of the frame, which are welded to the ends of the stator coils. Each coil has a first end called an “input” intended to be connected to one of the phase frames, and a second end called an “output” intended to be connected to the neutral frame. The “inputs” of the coils are alternately connected to the phase frames. Each phase frame has on its outer periphery a connecting terminal for interconnection with a power connector.
Rotor 3 is a permanent-magnet rotor. It has a body constituted by a package of metal sheets stacked in the axial direction and by permanent magnets (not depicted) installed radially in the metal sheets of the metal-sheet package at the outer periphery of rotor 3.
Stator 2 is carried by a support element 7 that on the one hand is intended to be fastened to the engine block and on the other hand is intended to be fastened to the gearbox housing. Support element 7 is inserted between the gearbox housing and the engine block, and is configured to allow fastening of the gearbox to the engine block. In other words, support element 7 constitutes, in a way, a spacer between the engine block and the gearbox housing.
Support element 7 has an outer peripheral wall whose inner surface is cylindrical in shape in order to interact with the outer periphery of stator 2. Mounting of stator 2 in support element 7 can be achieved by shrink-fitting or by force-fitting. Support element 7 also has an inner web 8 extending to the rear of stator 2 and of rotor 3, and constituting a separating wall between the clutch on the one hand and electric machine 1 on the other hand. Support element 7 also defines a receptacle 9 which extends inside rotor 3 and inside which a release bearing (not depicted) is intended to be at least partly received. A configuration of this kind allows the axial dimension of the assembly to be optimized. The receptacle is defined by an axial skirt 10 and a radially oriented bottom 11. Bottom 11 is equipped with a bore allowing intermediate shaft 4 to pass.
An axial rim 12 also extends from bottom 11 of receptacle 9 toward the front, and forms a cylindrical bore receiving a bearing 13. Bottom 11 of receptacle 9 limits at the engine end the cylindrical bore receiving bearing 13, and defines a rear radial abutment surface of bearing 13. Bearing 13 furthermore interacts with intermediate shaft 4 thanks to a shoulder that defines a front abutment surface of bearing 4. Bearing 13 thus allows centering of intermediate shaft 4 with respect to support element 7.
Bearing 13 has an outer ring, an inner ring, and rolling elements extending between said outer and inner rings. The outer ring is coupled axially to support element 7, while the inner ring is coupled axially to intermediate shaft 4. Bearing 13 is thus axially fastened on the one hand with respect to support element 7 and on the other hand with respect to intermediate shaft 4. This mounting of bearing 13 also allows intermediate shaft 4 to be retained axially with respect to support element 7. For axial coupling of the inner and outer rings, the latter can be force-fitted or adhesively bonded. Alternatively, it is also possible to use one or more locking members such as spring rings or elastic circlips. In the embodiment depicted, inner ring is coupled axially to intermediate shaft 4 via an elastic circlip 14.
Rotor 3 is supported by a hub 15. Hub 15 has an axial skirt supporting rotor 3. Rotor 3 has a package of metal sheets that is mounted by shrink-fitting onto the outer surface of the axial skirt. The package of metal sheets is thus mounted while hot, by shrink-fitting onto the outer surface of the axial skirt.
Support hub 15 of rotor 3 is guided and rotationally centered on support element 7 by means of a bearing 16. For this, axial rim 12 that extends from bottom 11 of receptacle 9 has a cylindrical outer surface supporting the inner ring of bearing 16. The outer ring of bearing 16 furthermore interacts with a cylindrical surface that is configured on the inner surface of hub 15 of rotor 3 and is limited toward the front by a shoulder formed in the inner surface of support hub 15 of rotor 3.
Rotor 3 is furthermore rotationally coupled to intermediate shaft 4 via a mechanical reducer 17 that is illustrated in detail in
Satellite gears 20 are each carried by means of a peg 23, depicted in particular in
First ring gear 18 can be shaped directly in support hub 15 of rotor 3, or can be constituted by an added-on gear that is fastened on hub 15.
Second ring gear 19 has an axially oriented skirt inside which are configured its tooth set and a radially oriented annular portion 24. The front end of intermediate shaft 4 has a collar 25 having a shoulder against which annular portion 24 abuts. Fastening members 26, such as bolts, allow annular portion 24 to be fastened to collar 25 of intermediate shaft 4. Second ring gear 19 is thus centered with respect to support element 7 by means of bearing 13, and consequently with respect to support hub 15 of rotor 3 by means of bearing 63.
Note that in the embodiment depicted, the epicyclic gear train is a type III train, i.e. having satellite gears 20 with double tooth sets, and two planets: first and second ring gears 18, 19. Although a type III train of this kind is particularly advantageous in that it offers a limited size and satisfactory force balance, other types of epicyclic gear trains are likewise conceivable.
In the embodiment depicted, the tooth sets of satellite gears 20 are spur tooth sets. Spur teeth of this kind allow a perfectly balanced epicyclic gear train to be achieved, so that bearing 16 that rotationally guides support hub 15 of rotor 3 is optional. In another embodiment the tooth sets of satellite gears 20 are helical gear sets, i.e. tooth sets in which what generates the shape of the teeth is a helical line around the rotation axis of satellite gears 20. Helical teeth of this kind have the advantage of being quieter than spur teeth, creating less vibration. Conversely, however, helical teeth produce axial forces. In such an embodiment it is thus advisable to use load absorbing stops capable of absorbing the axial forces exerted on support hub 15 of rotor 3 and on intermediate shaft 4.
In another embodiment it is also possible to use an epicyclic train of bevel gears, the rotation axis of satellite gears 20 then not being parallel to the rotation axis X.
The transmission assembly furthermore has a pendulum damper 27 and an elastic-member torsional damper 5.
Pendulum damper 27 has a support member and a plurality of pendulum flyweights 28 distributed circumferentially on the support member. Pendulum flyweights 28 are capable of oscillating with respect to the support member in a plane orthogonal to the rotation axis X in reaction to rotational inconsistencies. The support member is rotationally integral with rotor 3. In other words, the rotation speed of the support member is identical to that of rotor 3.
In the embodiments of
The oscillations of pendulum flyweights 28 are guided by guidance means having two cylindrical guidance rollers 32, 33 for each pendulum flyweight 28. The ends of guidance rollers 32, 33 interact with first guidance raceways constituted by the outer edge of openings configured in annular flanges 29, 30 of the support member. Guidance rollers 32, 33 furthermore pass through openings configured in pendulum flyweights 28. The lower edges of the openings configured in pendulum flyweights 28 carry second guidance raceways. The first and second raceways have a generally epicyclic shape and are configured so that the oscillation frequency of pendulum flyweights 28 is proportional to the rotation speed of the combustion engine crankshaft. For more information regarding the structure of pendulum flyweights 28 and of guidance rollers 32, 33, reference may be made to the documents FR 2912504, FR 2989753, FR 2986591, or FR 2986593, which describe in detail pendulum damper structures in which the flyweights extend between two annular flanges.
Note also that in an alternative embodiment (not depicted) the support member has only a single annular flange, and each pendulum flyweight has two sidewalls that extend axially on either side of said annular flange and are connected axially to one another by means of two connecting spacers. Pendulum damper structures of this kind are described in particular in the documents FR 2976641 and FR 2981715.
In the embodiment depicted in
In the embodiment depicted in
In the embodiment illustrated in
In the embodiments depicted in
In an embodiment, the support member and/or pendulum flyweights 28 are made of a nonmagnetic material such as a polymer or aluminum, in order to not to disrupt the operation of the electric machine.
Elastic-member torsional damper 5 has an input member rotationally integral with rotor 3, and an output element configured to be rotationally coupled to input shaft 34 of the gearbox. The input element has a front guide washer 35 and a rear guide washer 36. The output element has a web 37 and a splined means 38, fastened to web 37 by means of rivets 39 and intended to interact with splines of complementary shape carried by the rear end of input shaft 34 of the gearbox.
Front guide washer 35 and rear guide washer 36 are arranged axially on either side of web 37. Rear guide washer 36 is fastened to support hub 15 of rotor 3 by means of fastening members 36 such as bolts or rivets. In the embodiment depicted, rear guide washer 36 and second ring gear 19 are fastened to collar 25 of intermediate shaft 4 by common fastening means 26.
The two guide washers, front 35 and rear 36, are rotationally integrated, here by means of axial pins 43 carried by front guide washer 35.
Elastic-member torsional damper 5 has a plurality of groups of two elastic members 44 providing coupling between the two guide washers 35, 36 and web 37. Elastic members 44 here are straight elastic members distributed circumferentially over the same diameter around the axis X. Each elastic member 44 can have two coaxial springs mounted inside one another.
Elastic members 44 are received in windows configured in guide washers 35, 36. Each group of elastic members 44 furthermore extends on the one hand between two abutment seats 40 carried by guide washers 35, 36 and on the other hand between two circumferentially consecutive abutment tabs 41 of web 37.
As depicted in
Elastic members 44 of each group are mounted in series by means of a phasing member 42. Phasing member 42 is mounted to rotate freely with respect to guide washers 35, 36 on the one hand and with respect to web 37 on the other hand. Phasing member 42 has radial phasing tabs (not depicted) that are each intercalated between the two consecutive elastic members 44 of a single group, so that the two consecutive elastic members 44 of a single group are arranged in series. The radial phasing tabs have two substantially flat abutment faces forming an angle between them and serving for abutment of the ends of elastic members 44. Phasing member 42 ensures a deformation of elastic members 37 in phase with one another, so that the elastic forces generated in torsional damper 5 are distributed circumferentially in homogeneous fashion.
During operation, each group thus has a first elastic member 44 abutting at a first end against an abutment seat carried by guide washers 35, 36 and at a second end against a radial phasing tab of phasing member 42, while second elastic member 44 abuts at a first end against said radial phasing tab of phasing member 42 and at a second end against an abutment tab 41 of web 37. A driving torque is thus transmitted from guide washers to the web via the elastic members.
Although the invention has been described in conjunction with several specific embodiments, it is quite apparent that it is in no way limited thereto and that it encompasses all technical equivalents of the means described as well as combinations thereof, if they are within the context of the invention.
In particular, a clutch or a torque converter can be arranged in the transmission system between the output of the elastic-member damper and the input shaft of the gearbox.
Use of the verb “have,” “comprise,” or “include,” and of conjugated forms thereof, does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those set forth in a claim. Use of the indefinite article “a” or “an” for an element or step does not, unless otherwise indicated, exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements or steps.
In the claims, any reference character in parentheses cannot be interpreted as a limitation of the claim.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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1363321 | Dec 2013 | FR | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/FR2014/053237 | 12/9/2014 | WO | 00 |