Multimode Clutch for a Parallel Hybrid Vehicle

摘要

In a parallel hybrid vehicle having and internal combustion engine and an electric motor operatively connected to a transmission shaft, a multimode mechanical clutch selectively couples an output shaft of the internal combustion engine to the transmission shaft. The multimode clutch has a two-way unlocked mode where the output shaft and transmission shaft can rotate independently in either direction, and a one-way locked, one-way unlocked mode where the shafts are locked to rotate together in one direction and unlocked for independent rotation in the opposite direction. The clutch may also have a two-way locked mode where the shafts rotate together in both directions. Pawls may be provided to engage and disengage as needed to execute the modes of the multimode clutch actuator.

主权项

1. A hybrid vehicle, comprising:
a driven wheel; a transmission shaft operatively connected to the driven wheel to cause the driven wheel to rotate in response to rotation of the transmission shaft; an electric motor operatively connected to the transmission shaft and selectively actuatable to provide power to rotate the transmission shaft; an internal combustion engine having an output shaft; and a multimode clutch operatively connected to the transmission shaft and the output shaft of the internal combustion engine, wherein the multimode clutch has a first mode wherein the multimode clutch allows the output shaft and the transmission shaft to rotate independently of each other in both directions, and a second mode wherein the multimode clutch operatively couples the output shaft to the transmission shaft so that the output shaft and the transmission shaft rotate together in one direction and allows the output shaft and the transmission shaft to rotate independently of each other in an opposite direction.