Vehicle hybrid drive arrangement

摘要

A hybrid drive arrangement for a motor vehicle comprising two close-coupled electric traction motors/generators on the output of the vehicle differential. A constant velocity joint coupling device is incorporated into the central axis of the traction motors between the differential output shafts and the independent articulated axle shafts for the drive wheels. One embodiment comprises a kit for retrofitting an existing vehicle. The kit comprises two electric traction motors/generators incorporating the constant velocity joint coupling devices, two devices for mounting the traction motors to each side of the differential case between the differential and the independent, articulated axle shafts of the existing vehicle, a battery system electrically coupled to the traction motors, two traction motor controllers, and a vehicle sensing and control system. The arrangement provides for improved acceleration, deceleration, cornering, ease of parking, and fuel economy.

主权项

1. A vehicle hybrid drive arrangement comprising:
a primary power source; a primary power transmitting shaft; a transmission driven by the primary power source; a differential having a differential case and two differential output shafts; two independent, articulated axle shafts, each shaft configured to deliver power to a drive wheel; two secondary power sources comprising electric traction motor/generators, each disposed between one of the differential output shafts and one of the articulated axle shafts, each secondary power source comprising a constant velocity joint coupling device disposed within a central axis of the secondary power source and configured to couple the secondary power source to the corresponding differential output shaft and to drive the corresponding articulated axle shaft; a battery system connected to the electric traction motors/generators; and a vehicle sensing and control system configured to provide instructions to one or more motor/generator controllers configured to control the electric traction motors/generators.