The present disclosure relates to a transmission for a vehicle.
Various transmissions have been developed for vehicles. One type of transmission is an electrically-variable transmission including two electric motor/generators, clutches, etc. Clutches allow one or more electrically-variable modes of operation, such as fixed speed ratio modes, and an electric-only (battery-powered) mode. An electric power inverter assembly is utilized to control the first and second electric motor/generators. Generally, the electric power inverter assembly is assembled remote from the electrically-variable transmission; therefore, assembly of the electric power inverter is labor intensive and additional brackets or supports are generally utilized to secure the electric power inverter assembly remote from the transmission.
The present disclosure provides a transmission for a vehicle. The transmission includes a casing. The casing includes a base and a plurality of walls extending outwardly away from the base to a distal edge. The casing defines a first cavity and a second cavity between the walls. The transmission also includes a platform disposed between the walls to separate the first and second cavities. The first cavity is disposed adjacent to the distal edge of each of the walls. The transmission further includes a power inverter module defining a self-contained unit selectively disposed in the first cavity. The self-contained unit is supported by the platform when in the first cavity.
The present disclosure also provides a transmission for a vehicle. The transmission includes a casing. The casing includes a base and a plurality of walls extending outwardly away from the base to a distal edge. The casing defines a first cavity and a second cavity between the walls. The walls include an exterior disposed outside of the casing. The second cavity is configured for receiving transmission fluid to define a wet interior. The first cavity is generally disposed above the second cavity for maintaining the transmission fluid in the second cavity such that the first cavity defines a dry interior. The transmission also includes a platform disposed between the walls to separate the first and second cavities. The first cavity is disposed adjacent to the distal edge of each of the walls such that the first cavity is selectively open to the exterior of the walls and the second cavity is closed to the exterior of the walls. The transmission further includes a power inverter module defining a self-contained unit selectively disposed in the first cavity. The self-contained unit is supported by the platform when in the first cavity. The transmission also includes a lid movable between a first position attached to the distal edge of each of the walls for containing the power inverter module in the first cavity of the casing and a second position detached from the distal edge of each of the walls for removing the power inverter module from the first cavity of the casing as the self-contained unit.
The detailed description and the drawings or Figures are supportive and descriptive of the disclosure, but the scope of the disclosure is defined solely by the claims. While some of the best modes and other embodiments for carrying out the claims have been described in detail, various alternative designs and embodiments exist for practicing the disclosure defined in the appended claims.
Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a transmission 10 for a vehicle is generally shown in
The transmission 10 includes a casing 12 as best shown in
Referring to
Continuing with
The casing 12, and more specifically, the walls 16 can include an exterior 28 disposed outside of the casing 12. The first cavity 22 is generally disposed adjacent to the distal edge 18 of each of the walls 16 such that the first cavity 22 is selectively open to the exterior 28 of the walls 16 and the second cavity 24 is substantially closed to the exterior 28 of the walls 16. Specifically, in certain embodiments, the first cavity 22 is disposed above the second cavity 24 such that the platform 26 and the walls 16 cooperate to substantially close the second cavity 24.
The first cavity 22 is configured for receiving a gaseous fluid to define a dry interior. In certain embodiments, the gaseous fluid in the first cavity 22 is air. It is to be appreciated that other gaseous fluids can be disposed in the first cavity 22.
Furthermore, the second cavity 24 is configured for receiving a liquid fluid to define a wet interior. In certain embodiments, the liquid fluid in the second cavity 24 is transmission fluid. Therefore, in certain embodiments, the second cavity 24 is configured for receiving transmission fluid to define the wet interior. For example, the transmission fluid can be automatic transmission fluid (ATF). It is to be appreciated that other liquid fluids can be disposed in the second cavity 24.
The first cavity 22 is generally disposed above the second cavity 24 for maintaining the liquid fluid in the second cavity 24 such that the first cavity 22 defines the dry interior. In other words, the first cavity 22 is generally disposed above the second cavity 24 for maintaining the transmission fluid in the second cavity 24. More specifically, the first cavity 22 is generally disposed above the second cavity 24 for maintaining the transmission fluid in the second cavity 24 such that the first cavity 22 defines the dry interior. Furthermore, the platform 26 separates the first and second cavities 22, 24 to assist in maintaining the liquid fluid in the second cavity 24.
Referring to
In certain embodiments, the power inverter module 30 can include a bottom 32 selectively coupled to the platform 26 and a cover 34 coupled to the bottom 32. The bottom 32 and the cover 34 cooperate to further define the self-contained unit. In other words, the base 14 and the cover 34 cooperate to define a hollow therein, with various components of the power inverter module 30 disposed in the hollow, some of which are discussed further below.
The bottom 32 of the power inverter module 30 can be coupled or attached to the platform 26 to secure the power inverter module 30 to the platform 26, and more specifically, to position the power inverter module 30 relative to the walls 16 in the first cavity 22. Therefore, uncoupling or detaching the bottom 32 of the power inverter module 30 from the platform 26 allows the self-contained unit to be easily removed and replaced by another power inverter module 30.
The transmission 10 can also include a lid 36 attached to the casing 12 to contain the power inverter module 30 inside the first cavity 22. More specifically, the lid 36 can be attached to the distal edge 18 of each of the walls 16. The lid 36 is movable between a first position attached to the distal edge 18 of each of the walls 16 for containing the power inverter module 30 in the first cavity 22 of the casing 12 and a second position detached from the distal edge 18 of each of the walls 16 for removing the power inverter module 30 from the first cavity 22 of the casing 12 as the self-contained unit. Therefore, generally, the lid 36 is disposed in the first position when attached to the casing 12 and the lid 36 is disposed in the second position when detached from the casing 12. The lid 36 is shown in the first position in
When the lid 36 is in the first position, the power inverter module 30 can be closed or sealed in the first cavity 22 such that the first cavity 22 remains dry to define the dry interior. It is to be appreciated that any suitable seal, gasket, etc. can be disposed between the distal edge 18 of each of the walls 16 and the lid 36 to assist in closing or sealing the first cavity 22 when the lid 36 is in the first position. Therefore, engagement between the lid 36 and the distal edge 18 of each of the walls 16 minimizes fluids, particles, etc. from entering the first cavity 22 from outside the casing 12.
Generally, the power inverter module 30 is configured for providing electrical energy to various components, some of which are discussed further below. Specifically, the power inverter module 30 is configured for converting direct current energy into alternating current energy. Therefore, the power inverter module 30 converts direct current energy into alternating current energy for various components, some of which are discussed further below.
Turning to
Turning to
Generally, a first cable harness 50 (see
In certain embodiments, the lid 36 defines a first opening 52 (see
Turning to
Referring to
Generally, the first and second motor/generators 56, 58 can each include a rotor and a stator 60. In various embodiments, the first and/or second motor/generators 56, 58 can be referred to as traction motors. The first motor/generator 56 includes a first terminal 62 coupled to the second junction 40. The first terminal 62 is coupled to the stator 60 of the first motor/generator 56 to electrically connect the stator 60 of the first motor/generator 56 and the power inverter module 30 to each other. In addition, the second motor/generator 58 includes a second terminal 64 coupled to the second junction 40. The second terminal 64 is coupled to the stator 60 of the second motor/generator 58 to electrically connect the stator 60 of the second motor/generator 58 and the power inverter module 30 to each other.
Referring to
Generally, the electrically-variable transmission 10 can include the first and second motor/generators 56, 58 as discussed above. As implied above, the electrically-variable transmission 10 can be utilized in hybrid vehicles. Therefore, the power inverter module 30 is utilized to supply the alternating current energy to the first and second motor/generators 56, 58, as well as to control the first and second motor/generators 56, 58 as discussed further below. It is to be appreciated that the transmission 10 can include other components not specifically discussed herein. It is to also be appreciated that the transmission 10 can be utilized for vehicles other than hybrid vehicles as also discussed above.
In various embodiments, the transmission 10 can include the pump 54 and the first and second motor/generators 56, 58. In one embodiment, the pump 54 can be disposed in the second cavity 24 of the transmission 10 (see
Turning to FIGS. 2 and 4-6, the power inverter module 30 can include a first inverter 76 electrically connected to the first motor/generator 56 for delivering or supplying alternating current energy to the first motor/generator 56 through the second junction 40. The power inverter module 30 can further include a second inverter 78 electrically connected to the second motor/generator 58 for delivering or supplying alternating current energy to the second motor/generator 58 through the second junction 40. Specifically, the alternating current energy is delivered to the first and second motor/generators 56, 58 through the interface assembly 66. Therefore, the direct current energy from the first cable harness 50 is converted into the alternating current energy in the first and second inverters 76, 78. As such, the first cable harness 50 is coupled to the first and second inverters 76, 78 through the first junction 38. Thus, the first and second inverters 76, 78 are electrically connected to the first junction 38. It is to be appreciated that the first and second inverters 76, 78 are shown schematically in the power inverter module 30 of
In addition, the power inverter module 30 can include a third inverter 80 electrically connected to the motor 72 of the pump 54 for delivering or supplying alternating current energy to the motor 72 of the pump 54 through the third junction 42. Specifically, the alternating current energy is delivered to the motor 72 of the pump 54 through the third junction 42 and the second cable harness 74. Therefore, the direct current energy from the first cable harness 50 is converted into the alternating current energy in the third inverter 80. As such, the first cable harness 50 is coupled to the third inverter 80 through the first junction 38. Thus, the third inverter 80 is electrically connected to the first junction 38. It is to be appreciated that the third inverter 80 is shown schematically in the power inverter module 30 of
Furthermore, referring to FIGS. 2 and 4-7, the power inverter module 30 can include a controller 82 coupled to at least one of the first, second and third inverters 76, 78, 80 for controlling at least one of the motor 72 of the pump 54 and the first and second motor/generators 56, 58. In certain embodiments, the controller 82 is coupled to the first, second and third inverters 76, 78, 80 for controlling the first and second motor/generators 56, 58 and the motor 72 of the pump 54. In other words, the controller 82 is in communication with the first, second and third inverters 76, 78, 80. It is to be appreciated that the controller 82 is shown schematically in the power inverter module 30 of
The first, second and third inverters 76, 78, 80 are each disposed in the self-contained unit. Furthermore, the controller 82 is disposed in the self-contained unit. In other words, the controller 82, and the first, second and third inverters 76, 78, 80 are each disposed in the hollow of the power inverter module 30. Therefore, the controller 82, and the first, second and third inverters 76, 78, 80 are disposed within the bottom 32 and the cover 34 of the power inverter module 30. As such, packaging of the controller 82 and the first, second and third power inverters 76, 78, 80 in the self-contained unit of the power inverter module 30 provides a compact design, as well as provides easy assembly of the power inverter module 30 to the transmission 10 and easy disassembly of the power inverter module 30 from the transmission 10. Therefore, the power inverter module 30 is self-contained to be integrated into the transmission 10, thus simplifying assembly. As such, the configuration of the casing 12 can be consistent or the same and which can be utilized in multiple different vehicles. As such, the configuration of the casing 12 can be consistent or the same, and thus provide one configuration of the casing 12 that can be used in multiple different vehicles.
Once the power inverter module 30 is disposed in the first cavity 22, various wires, lines, bolts, clips, attachment points, etc. are connected to the power inverter module 30 before attaching the lid 36 to the casing 12. Again, integrating the power inverter module 30 into the transmission 10 reduces the number of assembly components and thus simplifies assembly of the transmission 10.
Referring to
A connection plug 88 (see
It is to be appreciated that various components have been removed from
While the best modes for carrying out the disclosure have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this disclosure relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the disclosure within the scope of the appended claims.