SINGLE MOTOR CLUTCHLESS CVT WITHOUT TORQUE CONVERTER

摘要

A single motor clutchless, torque converter-less buffer system is provided for linking an engine (101) to a transmission (111). Within this context of this system, the drive train comprises an engine (101), an electric motor (103), and a lossless buffer (109) receiving the engine output (106) and the motor output (107), and having a buffer output (113), such that the lossless buffer (109) provides a range of transmission ratios including a zero transmission ratio. The term "lossless" denotes the absence of intentional frictional losses/slippage such as may be present in clutches and torque converters. In an embodiment, the lossless buffer (109) includes a planetary system between the engine (101) and the transmission (111), wherein the single electric motor (103) functions to vary the transmission ratio of the buffer (109).