INFINITELY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION

摘要

An exemplary infinitely variable transmission includes a planetary gear set situated in a drive train of an automotive vehicle and interfaced with a worm gear driven by an electrical motor continuously controlled by an electronic control unit in response to a torque demand. Another aspect may be selection of the worm gear helix angle to effect a balance between worm gear teeth friction and load placed on the worm gear by the planetary gear set, such that power required to drive the worm gear is minimized for all input load conditions.

主权项

1. An infinitely variable transmission for use with an automotive vehicle, the infinitely variable transmission comprising:
a planetary gear set having a first input component, a second input component, and an output component, wherein the first input component comprises a drive shaft input component, wherein the planetary gear set is positioned relative to a drivetrain of the automotive vehicle such that a drive shaft driven by an internal combustion engine of the automotive vehicle is connected to the drive shaft input component, and the output component is connected to an output shaft configured to drive a motivational mechanism of the automotive vehicle; an electrical motor configured to drive the second input component through a gear set interface; and an electronic control unit configured to control at least the electrical motor in response to a torque demand and in a manner to satisfy the torque demand by either:
(a) operating the internal combustion engine at a set point associated with a particular efficiency, while modifying an angular velocity of the electrical motor to satisfy the torque demand; or(b) operating the internal combustion engine in a manner that deviates from the particular efficiency such that the torque demand is satisfied.