U.S. patent application number 16/655423 was filed with the patent office on 2021-01-28 for power transmission apparatus for hybrid electric vehicle.
This patent application is currently assigned to HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY. The applicant listed for this patent is HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Bong Hyun CHO, Wonmin CHO, Dongwoo GWAK, Seong Wook HWANG, Jae Young JEON, Seongwook JI, Juhyeon PARK, Seongeun YUN.
Application Number | 20210023932 16/655423 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004440082 |
Filed Date | 2021-01-28 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210023932 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
PARK; Juhyeon ; et
al. |
January 28, 2021 |
POWER TRANSMISSION APPARATUS FOR HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE
Abstract
A power transmission apparatus for a hybrid electric vehicle
having engine and motor may include: an input shaft coaxially
disposed with an engine output shaft receiving engine torque; first
and second output shafts disposed forward and rearward sides of the
input shaft; a third output shaft coaxially disposed with the first
output shaft; a shared drum connected to the input shaft and formed
with a motor gear gear-meshed with the motor; an engine clutch
arranged on the interior circumference of the shared drum and
selectively transmitting torque between the engine output shaft and
the input shaft; first and third clutches disposed within the
shared drum and selectively transmitting torque from the input
shaft to the first and third output shafts; and a second clutch
disposed at a rearward side of the input shaft and selectively
connecting the input shaft and the second output shaft.
Inventors: |
PARK; Juhyeon;
(Uiryeong-gun, KR) ; HWANG; Seong Wook; (Gunpo-si,
KR) ; JEON; Jae Young; (Osan-si, KR) ; GWAK;
Dongwoo; (Hwaseong-si, KR) ; YUN; Seongeun;
(Bucheon-si, KR) ; CHO; Wonmin; (Hwaseong-si,
KR) ; CHO; Bong Hyun; (Gunpo-si, KR) ; JI;
Seongwook; (Gunpo-si, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
KIA MOTORS CORPORATION |
Seoul
Seoul |
|
KR
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
Seoul
KR
KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
1000004440082 |
Appl. No.: |
16/655423 |
Filed: |
October 17, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60Y 2200/92 20130101;
F16D 13/52 20130101; B60Y 2400/424 20130101; F16D 21/00 20130101;
F16D 25/0638 20130101; B60K 6/387 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60K 6/387 20060101
B60K006/387; F16D 13/52 20060101 F16D013/52; F16D 21/00 20060101
F16D021/00; F16D 25/0638 20060101 F16D025/0638 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 25, 2019 |
KR |
10-2019-0090444 |
Claims
1. A power transmission apparatus for a hybrid electric vehicle
having an engine and a motor as power sources, the power
transmission apparatus comprising: an engine output shaft receiving
a torque of the engine; an input shaft coaxially disposed with the
engine output shaft; first and second output shafts formed as
hollow shafts coaxial with the input shaft, and respectively
disposed at forward and rearward sides of the input shaft without
rotational interference; a third output shaft formed as a hollow
shaft and coaxially disposed with the first output shaft without
rotational interference; a shared clutch drum disposed at the
forward side of the input shaft, and having a motor gear formed on
an exterior circumference of the shared clutch, wherein the motor
is externally gear-meshed with the motor, and the shared clutch
drum has an interior circumference rotatably supported by a
supporting end formed at a radially interior side of a front cover
and is connected to the input shaft through a connection plate and
a first connecting member; an engine clutch arranged on the
interior circumference of the shared clutch drum and configured to
selectively transmit a torque between the engine output shaft and
the input shaft; first and third clutches disposed, adjacent to the
engine clutch, in two rows in a radial direction within the
interior circumference of the shared clutch drum and configured to
selectively transmit the torque of the input shaft to the first and
third output shafts, respectively; and a second clutch disposed at
a rearward side of the input shaft and selectively connecting the
input shaft and the second output shaft.
2. The power transmission apparatus of claim 1, wherein the
connection plate is formed in a disk shape and disposed between the
engine clutch and the first clutch, and wherein the connection
plate comprises a radially outer portion spline-engaged with the
interior circumference of the shared clutch drum, and a radially
inner portion spline-engaged with an exterior circumference of the
input shaft through the first connecting member.
3. The power transmission apparatus of claim 1, wherein the engine
clutch comprises: a plurality of engine clutch plates
spline-engaged with the interior circumference of the shared clutch
drum; an engine clutch hub fixed to an extended end of the engine
output shaft; a plurality of engine clutch disks alternatingly
disposed between the plurality of engine clutch plates and
spline-engaged with an exterior circumference of the engine clutch
hub; and an engine clutch piston disposed between an engine slave
cylinder and the plurality of engine clutch plates to frictionally
operate the plurality of engine clutch plates and the plurality of
engine clutch disks by the engine slave cylinder.
4. The power transmission apparatus of claim 3, wherein the engine
slave cylinder is formed at an interior of the supporting end of
the front cover.
5. The power transmission apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first
clutch comprises: a plurality of first clutch plates spline-engaged
with the interior circumference of the shared clutch drum; a first
clutch hub spline-engaged with an exterior circumference of the
first output shaft through a second connecting member; a plurality
of first clutch disks alternatingly disposed between the plurality
of first clutch plates and spline-engaged with an exterior
circumference of the first clutch hub; and a first clutch piston
disposed between a first slave cylinder and the plurality of first
clutch plates and configured to frictionally operate the plurality
of first clutch plates and the plurality of first clutch disks by
the first slave cylinder.
6. The power transmission apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second
connecting member is rotatably supported in an axial direction by
the first connecting member via a bearing interposing between the
first and second connecting members.
7. The power transmission apparatus of claim 5, wherein the third
clutch comprises: a third clutch drum disposed radially interior to
the first clutch and connected to the shared clutch drum to be
fixed in an axial direction; a plurality of third clutch plates
spline-engaged with an interior circumference of the third clutch
drum; a third clutch hub spline-engaged with an exterior
circumference of the third output shaft through a third connecting
member; a plurality of third clutch disks alternatingly disposed
between the plurality of third clutch plates and spline-engaged
with an exterior circumference of the third clutch hub; and a third
clutch piston disposed between a third slave cylinder and the
plurality of third clutch plates and configured to frictionally
operate the plurality of third clutch plates and the plurality of
third clutch disks by the third slave cylinder.
8. The power transmission apparatus of claim 7, wherein the third
connecting member is rotatably supported in an axial direction by
the second connecting member via a bearing interposing between the
second and third connecting members.
9. The power transmission apparatus of claim 7, wherein a plurality
of return springs are interposed between the first clutch piston
and the third clutch drum.
10. The power transmission apparatus of claim 7, wherein the third
clutch further comprises a restoring unit disposed between the
third clutch piston and the third connecting member connected to
the third clutch hub.
11. The power transmission apparatus of claim 10, wherein the
restoring unit comprises: a supporting member having radially inner
and outer portions, the radially inner portion being rotatably
supported by an exterior circumference of the third connecting
member via a bearing, the radially outer portion being
spline-engaged with the interior circumference of the third clutch
drum; and a plurality of springs disposed between the supporting
member and the third clutch piston.
12. The power transmission apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first
and third slave cylinders are installed in a transmission case in
two rows in the radial direction.
13. The power transmission apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second
clutch comprises: a second clutch drum spline-engaged with the
input shaft through a fourth connecting member; a plurality of
second clutch plates spline-engaged with an interior circumference
of the second clutch drum; a second clutch hub spline-engaged with
the second output shaft; a plurality of second clutch disks
alternatingly disposed between the plurality of second clutch
plates and spline-engaged with an exterior circumference of the
second clutch hub; and a second clutch piston disposed between a
second slave cylinder and the plurality of second clutch plates and
configured to frictionally operate the plurality of second clutch
plates and the plurality of second clutch disks by the second slave
cylinder.
14. The power transmission apparatus of claim 13, wherein the
fourth connecting member is rotatably supported in an axial
direction by the second output shaft via a bearing interposing
between the fourth connecting member and second output shaft.
15. The power transmission apparatus of claim 13, wherein the
second slave cylinder is disposed in an end cover fixed to a
transmission case.
16. The power transmission apparatus of claim 13, wherein a
plurality of return springs are interposed between the second
clutch piston and the fourth connecting member.
17. The power transmission apparatus of claim 13, wherein the
second clutch further comprises a supporting bearing disposed
inside a transmission case so as to act as a reaction plate while
the plurality of second clutch plates and the plurality of second
clutch disks frictionally cooperate.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of
Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0090444, filed on Jul. 25,
2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a power transmission
apparatus for a hybrid electric vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The statements in this section merely provide background
information related to the present disclosure and may not
constitute prior art.
[0004] Environment-friendly technology in vehicles is a core
technology of a future automobile industry, and automakers are
focusing on developing environment-friendly vehicles to achieve
environmental and fuel efficiency regulations.
[0005] In order to improve energy efficiency and driving
convenience, various types of vehicles have been developed, such as
an electric vehicle (EV) and a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) that
utilize electrical energy, and a vehicle equipped with a double
clutch transmission (DCT).
[0006] The hybrid electric vehicle is a vehicle using two or more
power sources that may be combined in various schemes. In general,
a motor/generator driven by electric energy is combined with either
a gasoline or a diesel engine, which uses fossil fuels.
[0007] The DCT alternatingly activates odd-numbered shift-stages
and even-numbered shift-stages by alternatingly operating two
clutches, and thereby improves continuity in torque
transmission.
[0008] Recently, such a DCT is applied to a hybrid electric vehicle
(HEV) so as to enhance an energy efficiency by reducing fuel
consumption.
[0009] We have discovered that the efficient combination of the
double clutch transmission (DCT) and the hybrid electric vehicle
(HEV), such as modularizing the double clutch together with the
motor of the hybrid electric vehicle, contributes to enhancing
energy efficiency.
[0010] The above information disclosed in this Background section
is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the
present disclosure and therefore it may contain information that
does not form the prior art that is already known to a person of
ordinary skill in the art.
SUMMARY
[0011] The present disclosure provides a power transmission
apparatus for a hybrid electric vehicle having advantages of
reduced number of parts and decreased length and weight by
disposing two clutches in two rows in the radial direction to share
a clutch drum at a forward portion of an input shaft receiving a
torque of the engine output shaft through an engine clutch, and
separately disposing another clutch at a rearward portion of the
input shaft.
[0012] Number of parts for receiving a torque of a motor may also
be reduced by a power transmission apparatus for a hybrid electric
vehicle where the two clutches disposed in two rows share a clutch
drum with the engine clutch, and the clutch drum is formed with a
motor gear externally gear-meshed with the motor to receive a
torque from the motor.
[0013] When a clutch is separated to the rearward portion of the
input shaft, there may be provided a better space at a forward
portion of the transmission for a differential gear, which provides
an advantage in the layout of the transmission.
[0014] In one form of the present disclosure, a power transmission
apparatus, for a hybrid electric vehicle having an engine and a
motor as power sources, may include: an engine output shaft, an
input shaft, first and second output shafts, a third output shaft,
a shared clutch drum, an engine clutch, first and third clutches,
and a second clutch. The engine output shaft may receive a torque
of the engine. The input shaft may be coaxially disposed with the
engine output shaft. The first and second output shafts may be
formed as hollow shafts coaxial with the input shaft, and
respectively disposed at forward and rearward sides of the input
shaft without rotational interference. The third output shaft may
be formed as a hollow shaft and coaxially disposed with the first
output shaft without rotational interference.
[0015] The shared clutch drum may be disposed at a forward side of
the input shaft, and has a motor gear formed on an exterior
circumference of the shared clutch drum to be externally
gear-meshed with the motor. The shared clutch drum may have an
interior circumference rotatably supported by a supporting end
formed at a radially interior side of a front cover, and is
connected to the input shaft through a connection plate and a first
connecting member. The engine clutch may be arranged on the
interior circumference of the shared clutch drum and be configured
to selectively transmit a torque between the engine output shaft
and the input shaft. The first and third clutches may be disposed,
adjacent to the engine clutch, in two rows in a radial direction
within the interior circumference of the shared clutch drum and
configured to selectively transmit the torque of the input shaft to
the first and third output shafts, respectively. The second clutch
may be disposed at a rearward side of the input shaft and
selectively connecting the input shaft and the second output
shaft.
[0016] The connection plate may be formed in a disk shape and
disposed between the engine clutch and the first clutch, and the
connection plate comprises a radially outer portion spline-engaged
with the interior circumference of the shared clutch drum, and a
radially inner portion spline-engaged with an exterior
circumference of the input shaft through a first connecting
member.
[0017] The engine clutch may include a plurality of engine clutch
plates, an engine clutch hub, a plurality of engine clutch disks,
and an engine clutch piston. The plurality of engine clutch plates
may be spline-engaged with the interior circumference of the shared
clutch drum. The engine clutch hub may be fixed to an extended end
of the engine output shaft. The plurality of engine clutch disks
may be alternatingly disposed between the plurality of engine
clutch plates and spline-engaged with an exterior circumference of
the engine clutch hub. The engine clutch piston may be disposed
between an engine slave cylinder and the plurality of engine clutch
plates to frictionally operate the plurality of engine clutch
plates and the plurality of engine clutch disks by the engine slave
cylinder.
[0018] The engine slave cylinder may be formed at an interior of
the supporting end of the front cover.
[0019] The first clutch may include a plurality of first clutch
plates, a first clutch hub, a plurality of first clutch disks, and
a first clutch piston. The plurality of first clutch plates may be
spline-engaged with the interior circumference of the shared clutch
drum. The first clutch hub may be spline-engaged with an exterior
circumference of the first output shaft through a second connecting
member. The plurality of first clutch disks may be alternatingly
disposed between the plurality of first clutch plates and
spline-engaged with an exterior circumference of the first clutch
hub. The first clutch piston may be disposed between a first slave
cylinder and the first clutch plates and configured to frictionally
operate the first clutch plates and the first clutch disks by the
first slave cylinder.
[0020] The second connecting member may be supported in an axial
direction by the first connecting member via a bearing interposing
between the first and second connecting members.
[0021] The third clutch may include a third clutch drum, a
plurality of third clutch plates, a third clutch hub, a plurality
of third clutch disks, and a third clutch piston. The third clutch
drum may be disposed radially interior to the first clutch and
connected to the shared clutch drum to be fixed in an axial
direction. The plurality of third clutch plates may be
spline-engaged with the interior circumference of the third clutch
drum. The third clutch hub may be spline-engaged with an exterior
circumference of the third output shaft through a third connecting
member. The plurality of third clutch disks may be alternatingly
disposed between the plurality of third clutch plates and
spline-engaged with an exterior circumference of the third clutch
hub. The third clutch piston may be disposed between a third slave
cylinder and the third clutch plates and configured to frictionally
operate the third clutch plates and the third clutch disks by the
third slave cylinder.
[0022] The third connecting member may be supported in an axial
direction by the second connecting member via a bearing interposing
between the second and third connecting members.
[0023] A plurality of return springs may be interposed between the
first clutch piston and the third clutch drum.
[0024] The third clutch may further include a restoring unit
disposed between the third clutch piston and the third connecting
member connected to the third clutch hub. The restoring unit may
include a supporting member and a plurality of springs. The
supporting member may have radially inner and outer portions, where
the radially inner portion is rotatably supported by an exterior
circumference of the third connecting member via a bearing and the
radially outer portion is spline-engaged with the interior
circumference of the third clutch drum. The plurality of springs
may be disposed between the supporting member and the third clutch
piston.
[0025] The first and third slave cylinders may be installed in a
transmission case in two rows in the radial direction.
[0026] The second clutch may include a second clutch drum, a
plurality of second clutch plates, a second clutch hub, a plurality
of second clutch disks, and a second clutch piston. The second
clutch drum may be spline-engaged with the input shaft through a
fourth connecting member. The plurality of second clutch plates may
be spline-engaged with the interior circumference of the second
clutch drum. The second clutch hub may be spline-engaged with the
second output shaft. The plurality of second clutch disks may be
alternatingly disposed between the plurality of second clutch
plates and spline-engaged with an exterior circumference of the
second clutch hub. The second clutch piston may be disposed between
a second slave cylinder and the second clutch plates and configured
to frictionally operate the second clutch plates and the second
clutch disks by the second slave cylinder.
[0027] The fourth connecting member may be supported in an axial
direction by the second output shaft via a bearing interposing
between the fourth connecting member and second output shaft.
[0028] The second slave cylinder may be disposed in an end cover
fixed to a transmission case.
[0029] A plurality of return springs may be interposed between the
second clutch piston and the fourth connecting member.
[0030] The second clutch may further include a supporting bearing
disposed inside a transmission case so as to act as a reaction
plate while the second clutch plates and the second clutch disks
frictionally cooperate.
[0031] According to an exemplary form, a first clutch sharing a
shared clutch drum with the engine clutch is disposed adjacent to
the engine clutch at a forward portion of the input shaft, the
third clutch is disposed in a radially interior side of the first
clutch to form two rows in the radial direction, and the second
clutch is separately arranged at a rearward portion of the input
shaft, thereby reducing number of parts in the transmission and
decreasing length and weight.
[0032] In addition, the number of parts for receiving a torque of
the motor may be reduced since the first and third clutches
disposed in two rows in the radial direction share a shared clutch
drum with the engine clutch, and the shared clutch drum is formed
with a motor gear externally gear-meshed with the motor to receive
a torque from the motor.
[0033] In addition, since the second clutch is separated to the
rearward portion of the input shaft, there may be provided a better
space at a forward portion of the transmission for a differential
gear, which provides an advantage in the layout of the
transmission.
[0034] In addition, according to an exemplary form, since the
second slave cylinder for operating the second clutch piston is
installed inside the end cover, an installation space may be
reduced.
[0035] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the
description provided herein. It should be understood that the
description and specific examples are intended for purposes of
illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the
present disclosure.
DRAWINGS
[0036] In order that the disclosure may be well understood, there
will now be described various forms thereof, given by way of
example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0037] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a power transmission
apparatus for a hybrid electric vehicle according to an exemplary
form of the present disclosure;
[0038] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a forward
portion of a power transmission apparatus for a hybrid electric
vehicle according to an exemplary form of the present disclosure;
and
[0039] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a rearward
portion of a power transmission apparatus for a hybrid electric
vehicle according to an exemplary form of the present
disclosure.
[0040] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes
only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present
disclosure in any way.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0041] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and
is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or
uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings,
corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding
parts and features.
[0042] An exemplary form of the present disclosure will hereinafter
be described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0043] In the following description, dividing names of components
into first, second and the like is to divide the names because the
names of the components are the same as each other and an order
thereof is not particularly limited.
[0044] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a power transmission
apparatus for a hybrid electric vehicle according to an exemplary
form of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is an enlarged
cross-sectional view of a forward portion of a power transmission
apparatus for a hybrid electric vehicle according to an exemplary
form of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is an enlarged
cross-sectional view of a rearward portion of a power transmission
apparatus for a hybrid electric vehicle according to an exemplary
form of the present disclosure.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a power transmission
apparatus for a hybrid electric vehicle according to an exemplary
form of the present disclosure (hereinafter called a power
transmission apparatus) receives torques from an engine ENG and a
motor M, and selectively transmits the received torques to an input
shaft IS and three output shafts OS1, OS2, and OS3 through four
clutches ECL, CL1, CL2, and CL3.
[0046] Here, the motor M may include a rotor and a stator and may
act as a motor and a generator that generates electricity, as in an
electric vehicle.
[0047] A power transmission apparatus according to an exemplary
form includes an engine output shaft EOS, the input shaft IS, the
first, second, and third output shafts OS1, OS2, and OS3, a shared
clutch drum SCD, an engine clutch ECL, and first, second, and third
clutches CL1, CL2, and CL3.
[0048] The engine output shaft EOS, e.g., a damper output shaft, is
a torque mediating shaft receiving the torque of the engine ENG,
and is disposed penetrating supporting end 1 formed at a radially
interior side of a front cover FC of a transmission case H.
[0049] The input shaft IS is coaxially disposed with engine output
shaft EOS in the transmission case H, and is configured to receive
a torque of the engine output shaft EOS by the operation of the
engine clutch ECL.
[0050] The first output shaft OS1 is formed as a hollow shaft
coaxial with the input shaft and disposed at a forward side of the
input shaft IS without rotational interference, and the second
output shaft OS2 is formed as a hollow shaft coaxial with the input
shaft and disposed at a rearward side of the input shaft IS without
rotational interference.
[0051] In addition, the third output shaft OS3 is formed as a
hollow shaft, and is coaxially disposed with the first output shaft
OS1 without rotational interference.
[0052] The first, second, and third output shafts OS1, OS2, and OS3
are configured to receive the torque of the engine output shaft EOS
by the operation of the first, second, and third clutches CL1, CL2,
and CL3, while the engine clutch ECL is operated.
[0053] That is, the first, second, and third output shafts OS1,
OS2, and OS3 may selectively receive the torque through the first,
second, and third clutches CL1, CL2, and CL3, respectively, and the
output shaft OS1, OS2, and OS3 are formed with a first output gear
G1, a synchronizer SN, a third output gear G3, respectively.
[0054] The shared clutch drum SCD is disposed at a forward side of
the input shaft IS. A motor gear MG is formed on an exterior
circumference of the shared clutch drum SCD such that the motor M
is externally gear-meshed with the motor gear MG. An interior
circumference of the shared clutch drum SCD is formed in parallel
with and rotatably supported, through a bearing B, by the
supporting end 1 formed at a radially interior side of the front
cover FC.
[0055] In addition, the shared clutch drum SCD is connected to the
input shaft IS through a connection plate 3 and a first connecting
member 5.
[0056] Here, the connection plate 3 is formed in a disk shape and
disposed between the engine clutch ECL and the first clutch CL1. A
radially outer portion of the connection plate 3 is spline-engaged
with an interior circumference of the shared clutch drum SCD, and a
radially inner portion of the connection plate 3 is spline-engaged
with an exterior circumference of the input shaft IS through the
first connecting member 5. Therefore, when the engine clutch ECL is
operated, the torque of the engine output shaft EOS is transmitted
to the input shaft IS.
[0057] The connection plate 3 is rotatably supported in an axial
direction by an extend end 4 extending rearward from the engine
output shaft EOS through a bearing B.
[0058] The engine clutch ECL shares the shared clutch drum SCD, and
is configured to selectively transmit a torque between an engine
output shaft EOS and the input shaft IS.
[0059] In the engine clutch ECL, a plurality of engine clutch
plates 11 and a reaction plate 11a are spline-engaged with the
interior circumference of the shared clutch drum SCD.
[0060] An engine clutch hub 13 is fixed to an extended end 4 of the
engine output shaft EOS by welding. A plurality of engine clutch
disks 15 are alternatingly disposed between the plurality of engine
clutch plates 11 and the reaction plate 11a, and are spline-engaged
with an exterior circumference of the engine clutch hub 13.
[0061] An engine clutch piston 17 is disposed to frictionally
operate the plurality of engine clutch plates 11 and the plurality
of the engine clutch disks 15 along the axial direction by an
engine slave cylinder ESC.
[0062] The engine slave cylinder ESC is formed at an interior of
the supporting end 1 of the front cover FC, and the engine clutch
piston 17 is disposed between the engine slave cylinder ESC and the
engine clutch plates 11.
[0063] In the engine clutch ECL, a wave spring (not shown) may be
installed between adjacent engine clutch plates 11 to provide a
restoring force and to maintain a gap between clutch plates 11 and
clutch disks 15 in a released state, thereby reducing or minimizing
a drag loss of friction members.
[0064] The first and third clutches CL1 and CL3 are disposed,
adjacent to the engine clutch ECL, in two rows in the radial
direction (i.e., radially inward and outward), in a radially
interior side of the shared clutch drum SCD. The first and third
clutches CL1 and CL3 are configured to selectively transmit the
torque of the input shaft IS to the first and third output shafts
OS1 and OS3, respectively.
[0065] The first clutch CL1 shares the shared clutch drum SCD with
the engine clutch ECL, and a plurality of first clutch plates 21
are spline-engaged with the interior circumference of the shared
clutch drum SCD.
[0066] A first clutch hub 23 is fixed by welding to a second
connecting member 6 spline-engaged with an exterior circumference
of the first output shaft OS1. A plurality of first clutch disks 25
are alternatingly disposed between the first clutch plates 21 and
spline-engaged with the exterior circumference of the first clutch
hub 23.
[0067] In addition, a first clutch piston 27 to frictionally
operate the first clutch plates 21 and the first clutch disks 25 is
disposed movably in the axial direction by the first slave cylinder
SC1.
[0068] The second connecting member 6 is rotatably supported in the
axial direction by the first connecting member 5 via a bearing B
interposing between the first and second connecting members 5,
6.
[0069] The third clutch CL3 is disposed at a radially interior side
to the first clutch CL1, and a radially outer portion of a third
clutch drum 31 is connected to the interior circumference of the
shared clutch drum SCD to be fixed in the axial direction.
[0070] The third clutch drum 31 includes a bent end 31a that is
bent radially inward so as to act as a reaction plate of the third
clutch 31.
[0071] A plurality of third clutch plates 33 are spline-engaged
with an interior circumference of the third clutch drum 31 and are
supported in the axial direction by the bent end 31a.
[0072] A third clutch hub 35 is fixed by welding to a third
connecting member 7 spline-engaged with an exterior circumference
of the third output shaft OS3. A plurality of third clutch disks 37
are alternatingly disposed between the third clutch plates 33 and
spline-engaged with the exterior circumference of the third clutch
hub 35.
[0073] In addition, a third clutch piston 39 to frictionally
operate the third clutch plates 33 and the third clutch disks 37 is
disposed movably in the axial direction by a third slave cylinder
SC3.
[0074] The third connecting member 7 is rotatably supported in the
axial direction by the second connecting member 6 via a bearing B
interposing between the second and third connecting members 6,
7.
[0075] A plurality of return springs SP are disposed along a
circumferential direction between the first clutch piston 27 of the
first clutch CL1 and the third clutch drum 31 of the third clutch
CL3, thereby applying a restoring force to the first clutch piston
27.
[0076] The third clutch CL3 further includes a restoring unit 41
between the third clutch piston 39 and the third connecting member
7 connected to the third clutch hub 35.
[0077] A radially inner portion of the supporting member 43 is
rotatably supported by an exterior circumference of the third
connecting member 7 via a bearing B interposing between the
supporting member and third connecting member, and radially outer
portion of the supporting member 43 is spline-engaged with the
interior circumference of the third clutch drum 31.
[0078] The plurality of springs 45 are disposed between the
supporting member 43 and the third clutch piston 39 along a
circumferential direction, thereby applying a restoring force to
the third clutch piston 39.
[0079] In the first and third clutches CL1 and CL3, a wave spring
(not shown) may be installed between adjacent first clutch plates
21 and adjacent third clutch plates 33 to provide a restoring force
and to maintain a gap therebetween in a released state, thereby
reducing or minimizing a drag loss of friction members
[0080] The first and third slave cylinders SC1 and SC3 may be
formed at the transmission case H, and include cylinder rods to
operate the first and third clutch pistons 27 and 39 of the first
and third clutches CL1 and CL3 in the axial direction.
[0081] The cylinder rods of the first and third slave cylinders SC1
and SC3 rotatably support the first and third clutch pistons 27 and
39 via bearings B, respectively. The present form show a double
concentric slave cylinder (double CSC) scheme, where the slave
cylinders are arranged in two rows in the radial direction.
[0082] Referring to FIG. 3, the second clutch CL2 is disposed at a
rearward side of the input shaft IS, and selectively connects the
input shaft IS and the second output shaft OS2.
[0083] That is, the second clutch CL2 includes a second clutch drum
51 that is disposed at the rearward side of the input shaft and is
spline-engaged with an exterior circumference of the input shaft IS
through a fourth connecting member 8.
[0084] The fourth connecting member 8 is rotatably supported in the
axial direction by the second output shaft OS2 via a bearing B
interposing between the fourth connecting member 8 and second
output shaft OS2.
[0085] A plurality of second clutch plates 53 are spline-engaged
with an interior circumference of the second clutch drum 51.
[0086] A radially interior portion of a second clutch hub 55 is
spline-engaged with the second output shaft OS2.
[0087] A plurality of second clutch disks 57 are alternatingly
disposed between the second clutch plates 53 and spline-engaged
with an exterior circumference of the second clutch hub 55.
[0088] A second clutch piston 59 is disposed between the second
slave cylinder SC2 and the second clutch plate 53, and frictionally
operates the second clutch plates 53 and the second clutch disks 57
by the second slave cylinder SC2.
[0089] The second slave cylinder SC2 corresponding to the second
clutch plate 53 is installed in an end cover EC fixed to the
transmission case H and controls the second clutch piston 59.
[0090] Since the second slave cylinder SC2 is installed inside the
end cover EC, the second clutch CL2 may be easily assembled, and a
sufficient space may be provided for installation of the second
piston clutch 59.
[0091] A return spring SP is disposed between the second clutch
piston 59 and the fourth connecting member 8 and applies a
restoring force to the second clutch piston 59.
[0092] The second clutch CL2 further includes a supporting bearing
CB disposed on an interior surface of the transmission case H so as
to act as a reaction plate while the second clutch plates 53 and
the second clutch disks 57 frictionally cooperate.
[0093] In addition, a second output gear G2 is disposed on the
input shaft IS between the first output gear G1 formed at the first
output shaft OS1 and the synchronizer SN formed at the second
output shaft OS2. Thus, the second output gear G2 may be
synchronously connected to the second output shaft OS2 by the
operation of the synchronizer SN.
[0094] According to a power transmission apparatus according to an
exemplary form, referring to FIG. 1, when the engine clutch ECL is
operated by the engine slave cylinder ESC, the engine clutch disks
15 and the engine clutch plates 11 are frictionally engaged, and
the torque of the engine output shaft EOS is transmitted to the
shared clutch drum SCD through the engine clutch hub 13.
[0095] The torque transmitted to the shared clutch drum SCD is also
transmitted to the input shaft IS through the connection plate
3.
[0096] When the first clutch CL1 is operated by the first slave
cylinder SC1 while the engine clutch ECL is being operated, the
first clutch disks 25 and the first clutch plates 21 are
frictionally engaged, and the torque of the engine output shaft EOS
is transmitted to the first output shaft OS1 through the first
clutch hub 23 and the second connecting member 6.
[0097] When the third clutch CL3 is operated by the third slave
cylinder SC3 while the engine clutch ECL is being operated, the
third clutch disk 37 and the third clutch plate 33 are frictionally
engaged, and the torque of the engine output shaft EOS is
transmitted from the third clutch drum 31 connected to the shared
clutch drum SCD to the third output shaft OS3 through the third
clutch hub 35 and the third connecting member 7.
[0098] When the second clutch CL2 is operated by the second slave
cylinder SC2 while the engine clutch ECL is being operated, the
second clutch disks 57 and the second clutch plates 53 are
frictionally engaged, and the torque of the engine output shaft EOS
is transmitted to the third output shaft OS3 sequentially through
the connection plate 3 spline-engaged with the shared clutch drum
SCD, the input shaft IS, the fourth connecting member 8, the second
clutch drum 51, and second clutch hub 55.
[0099] According to an exemplary form as described above, the first
clutch CL1 sharing the shared clutch drum SCD with the engine
clutch ECL is disposed adjacent to the engine clutch ECL at a
forward portion of the input shaft IS, the third clutch CL3 is
disposed in a radially interior side of the first clutch CL1 to
form two rows in the radial direction, and the second clutch CL2 is
separately arranged at a rearward portion of the input shaft IS,
thereby reducing number of parts crowded forward in the
transmission and decreasing length and weight.
[0100] Since the torque of the motor M may be received by the motor
gear MG externally gear-meshed with the motor M, the motor M may be
employed in an off-axis scheme where the motor M is provided on an
axis separate from the input shaft IS, and therefore, the length of
a transmission including a torque delivery path of the motor M may
be reduced.
[0101] In addition, the number of parts for receiving a torque of
the motor M may be reduced since the first and third clutches CL1
and CL3 disposed in two rows in the radial direction share a shared
clutch drum SCD with the engine clutch ECL, and the shared clutch
drum SCD is formed with a motor gear MG externally gear-meshed with
the motor M to receive a torque from the motor M.
[0102] In addition, since the second clutch CL2 is separated to the
rearward portion of the input shaft IS, there may be provided a
better space at a forward portion of the transmission for a
differential gear (not shown), which provides an advantage in the
layout of the transmission.
[0103] In addition, in the second clutch CL2, since the second
slave cylinder SC2 for operating the second clutch piston 59 to
frictionally operate the second clutch plates 53 and the second
clutch disks 57 is installed in the end cover EC fixed to the
transmission case H, the second clutch CL2 may be easily assembled,
and a sufficient space may be provided for installation of the
second piston clutch 59.
[0104] While this present disclosure has been described in
connection with what is presently considered to be practical
exemplary forms, it is to be understood that the present disclosure
is not limited to the disclosed forms. On the contrary, it is
intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements
included within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS
[0105] FC: front cover [0106] H: transmission case [0107] EC: end
cover [0108] 1: supporting end [0109] 3: connection plate [0110] 4:
extended end [0111] 5, 6, 7, 8: first, second, third, and fourth
connecting members [0112] IS: input shaft [0113] ECL: engine clutch
[0114] CL1, CL2, CL3: first, second, and third clutches [0115] SC1,
SC2, SC3: first, second, and third slave cylinders [0116] EOS:
engine output shaft [0117] OS1, OS2, OS3: first, second, third
output shafts [0118] SCD: shared clutch drum [0119] B: bearing
[0120] CB: supporting bearing [0121] 11: engine clutch plate [0122]
13; engine clutch hub [0123] 15: engine clutch disk [0124] 17:
engine clutch piston [0125] 21, 53, 33: first, second, and third
clutch plates [0126] 25, 57, 37: first, second, and third clutch
disks [0127] 23, 55, 35: first, second, and third clutch hubs
[0128] 51, 31; second and third clutch drums [0129] 27, 59, 39:
first, second, and third clutch pistons [0130] 41; restoring unit
[0131] 43: supporting member [0132] 45: spring
[0133] SP: return spring
* * * * *