Drive and regenerative braking system using first and second transmission units and flywheel

摘要

A drive and regenerative braking system 1 has a drive shaft 7 selectively operatively connected to an output 9 of a source of motive power 11. The drive shaft 7 provides motion to a first variable transmission unit 13 having an output 15 which, in response to motion of the drive shaft 7, drives at least one wheel 17 of the vehicle. The system includes a second variable transmission unit 21 and a flywheel 23 to store energy from the second transmission unit and selectively deliver stored energy to the drive shaft 7. The transmission units can be selectively decoupled. When the vehicle is to be slowed, first transmission unit 13 is decoupled and second transmission unit 21 is coupled and energy is transferred from the wheel(s) 17 via second transmission unit 21 to the flywheel 23 for storage, thereby slowing the wheel(s) 17 and storing energy.