US20080096711A1

US20080096711A1 - Variable speed accessory drive system

Info

Publication number: US20080096711A1
Application number: US11/551,775
Authority: US
Inventors: Anthony L. Smith; Burak A. Gecim; Patrick B. Usoro
Original assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Current assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Priority date: 2006-10-23
Filing date: 2006-10-23
Publication date: 2008-04-24
Also published as: US8328673B2; US20100035716A1

Abstract

The present invention provides an accessory drive system for a vehicle. The accessory drive system includes a planetary gear set having a first, second, and third planetary member. A torque transfer device operatively connects an engine with the first planetary member. A motor/generator is operatively connected to the second planetary member, and a plurality of accessories are operatively connected to the third planetary member. Engine output is transferable through the planetary gear set to drive the accessories, and the speed at which the accessories are driven is selectable by controlling the speed of the motor/generator.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention pertains generally to a variable speed accessory drive system for a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Driven accessories in a vehicle may include, for example, an air conditioning compressor, a power steering pump, and an alternator. These accessories are generally powered by output from the engine. Conventional automotive accessory drive systems include a drive pulley connected to an engine output shaft. A flexible chain or belt couples the drive pulley with a plurality of driven pulleys that are each operatively connected to an accessory. The operating speeds of the accessories in such a conventional drive system are directly proportional to the speed of the engine. Since the engine operates over a wide speed range (i.e., for example, between 500 rpm and 7,000 rpm), the accessories are typically designed to provide full capacity at the low end of the engine speed range in order to ensure that they remain operational. Therefore, at higher engine speeds, excess energy transferred to the accessories may be lost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an accessory drive system for a vehicle. The accessory drive system includes a planetary gear set having a first, second, and third planetary member. A first torque transfer device operatively connects an engine with the first planetary member. A motor/generator is operatively connected to the second planetary member, and a plurality of accessories are operatively connected to the third planetary member through a second torque transfer device. Engine output is transferable through the planetary gear set to drive the accessories, and the speed at which the accessories are driven is selectable by controlling the speed of the motor/generator.
According to the preferred embodiment, the first planetary member is a ring gear member, the second planetary member is a sun gear member, and the third planetary member is a planet carrier member.
According to an alternate embodiment, the first planetary member is a sun gear member, the second planetary member is a planet carrier member, and the third planetary member is a ring gear member.
According to another alternate embodiment, the first planetary member is a ring gear member, the second planetary member is a planet carrier member, and the third planetary member is a sun gear member.
According to another alternate embodiment, the first planetary member is a planet carrier member, the second planetary member is a ring gear member, and the third planetary member is a sun gear member.
According to another alternate embodiment, the first planetary member is a planet carrier member, the second planetary member is a sun gear member, and the third planetary member is a ring gear member.
According to another alternate embodiment, the first planetary member is a sun gear member, the second planetary member is a ring gear member, and the third planetary member is a planet carrier member.
The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic depiction of an accessory drive system for a vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a more detailed schematic depiction of the accessory drive system of FIG. 1 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a more detailed schematic depiction of the accessory drive system of FIG. 1 in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a more detailed schematic depiction of the accessory drive system of FIG. 1 in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a more detailed schematic depiction of the accessory drive system of FIG. 1 in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a more detailed schematic depiction of the accessory drive system of FIG. 1 in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a more detailed schematic depiction of the accessory drive system of FIG. 1 in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a more detailed schematic depiction of the accessory drive system of FIG. 1 in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a more detailed schematic depiction of the accessory drive system of FIG. 1 in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a more detailed schematic depiction of the accessory drive system of FIG. 1 in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 11 is a more detailed schematic depiction of the accessory drive system of FIG. 1 in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Conventional accessory drive systems operate by transferring engine output directly to the accessories so the accessories are driven at a speed directly proportional to engine speed. Since the engine operates over a wide speed range (e.g., between 500 rpm and 7,000 rpm), the accessories are typically designed to provide full capacity at the low end of the engine speed range in order to ensure they remain fully operational. Therefore, when the engine is operating at higher speeds, conventional accessory drive systems transfer more energy to the accessories than necessary to provide adequate function. The excess energy transferred to the accessories causes inefficiency and diminishes fuel economy. The accessory drive system 10 (shown in FIG. 1) of the present invention allows the accessories to be driven at a predetermined optimal speed independent from the speed at which the engine is running in order to improve fuel economy. The predetermined optimal speed at which the accessories are driven may, for example, be a continuously calculated variable speed selected to optimally meet the needs and conditions of a particular application.
Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic representation of an accessory drive system 10 for a vehicle is shown. The accessory drive system 10 includes an engine 12 configured to transmit output to a crank pulley 14 via a crankshaft or output shaft 16. Alternatively, engine output may be transferred to the crank pulley 14 in any known manner such as, for example, via a power take-off (not shown). A first belt or chain 18 couples the crank pulley 14 with an accessory drive input pulley 20. The accessory drive input pulley 20 is operatively connected to a differential transmission such as the planetary gearset 22. It should be appreciated that the accessory drive input pulley 20 may be directly connected to the planetary gearset 22, or may be indirectly connected to the planetary gearset 22 such as, for example, through a gear assembly (not shown). The planetary gearset 22 has a plurality of members including: a sun gear 24; a plurality of pinions or planet gears 26; a ring gear 28; and a pinion carrier or planet carrier 30.
The engine 12 also transfers output via the crankshaft 16 to a transmission 17. The transmission 17 transfers output from the engine 12 to a plurality of wheels 19 in order to drive a vehicle. It should be appreciated that the transmission 17 and wheels 19 may include any known configurations and are not included as part of the accessory drive system 10 of the present invention.
The planetary gearset 22 is configured to convert the rotational velocity of the accessory drive input pulley 20 (which runs at a fixed ratio of engine speed) to a predetermined value selected to efficiently drive the accessories 38. In other words, the planetary gearset 22 can selectively increase or decrease the magnitude of the rotational velocity from the accessory drive input pulley 20 in order to drive the accessories 38 at more efficient speed and thereby improve fuel economy. Output from the planetary gearset 22 is transferred to an accessory drive output pulley 32. A second belt or chain 34 couples the accessory drive output pulley 32 with one or more accessory pulleys 36. The accessory pulleys 36 are each operatively connected to an accessory 38.
A motor/generator 40 is configured to selectively transfer torque to the planetary gearset 22 either directly or through a transfer device such as, for example, a belt, chain, gear assembly, differential gear, etc. The motor/generator 40 is configured to receive power from and/or transfer power to a storage device such as the battery 46. As is known in the art, by transferring a first predetermined amount of input torque from the engine 12 to one of the planetary gear set 22 members, and transferring a second predetermined amount of input torque from the motor/generator 40 to another of the planetary gear set 22 members, the planetary gear set 22 can be controlled to produce a selectable amount of output torque from yet another of its members. Therefore, by controlling the amount of torque transferred from the motor generator 40 to the planetary gear set 22, the planetary gear set 22 output speed is selectable within an operational range.
The engine 12 and the motor/generator 40 are operatively connected to a controller 42. The controller 42 may also be operatively connected to one or more sensors (not shown) implemented to select an optimal output speed for the planetary gear set 22. The controller 42 receives input from the engine 12 indicating the current engine speed and calculates a corresponding motor/generator 40 speed or torque value required to produce the predetermined optimal planetary gear set 22 output speed. As an example, if the engine 12 is running at 4,000 rpm and the accessories 38 are optimized to run at 1,500 rpm, the controller 42 calculates the motor/generator 40 speed required to produce a planetary gear set 22 output speed of 1,500 rpm. These types of calculations which utilize the ring/sun tooth ratios of a planetary gear set are well known to those skilled in the art and therefore will not be described in detail hereinafter. After calculating, the controller 42 commands the motor/generator 40 to transfer the required amount of torque to the planetary gear set 22 such that the accessories 38 are driven in an optimally efficient manner.
The accessory drive system 10 of the present invention may, in some cases, be implemented to drive the accessories (not shown) of a vehicle when the engine is off. If, for example, the vehicle's engine (not shown) provides sufficient rotational resistance when off to effectively restrain the planetary member (not shown) connected thereto, a motor/generator (not shown) can be implemented to drive the accessories. The engine's rotational resistance is proportional to the force required to cyclically translate the engine components such as the engine pistons (not shown) when the engine is off. Therefore, if the amount of torque required to drive all the accessories causes a reaction torque at the engine which is less than the engine rotational resistance, the accessories can be driven by the motor/generator without also driving the engine.
Having explained the components and functionality of the accessory drive system 10, the precise interconnection of these components will now be described in accordance with a plurality of different embodiments. FIGS. 2-11 each illustrate a separate embodiment that functions similarly to the previously described accessory drive system 10, but includes somewhat different component connections. Like reference numbers are used in FIGS. 2-11 to refer to like components from FIG. 1. Additionally, the letters “a” through “j” added as a suffix to a reference numeral identifies a similar component in a different embodiment. As an example, the engine 12 of FIG. 1 functions similarly to the engines 12 a-12 j of FIGS. 2-11, respectively. Therefore, unless specified otherwise, the components of FIGS. 2-11 identified with a base reference number followed by one of the letters “a” through “j” should be considered to be identical to a respective component of FIG. 1 identified with a common base reference number.
Referring to FIG. 2, an accessory drive system 10 a is shown in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The accessory drive input pulley 20 a (which runs at a fixed ratio of engine speed) is operatively connected to the ring gear 28 a of the planetary gear set 22 a. The motor/generator 40 a is operatively connected to the sun gear 24 a of the planetary gear set 22 a. The planet carrier 30 a of the planetary gear set 22 a is operatively connected to the accessory drive output pulley 32 a. Therefore, in response to input from the engine 12 a (via the ring gear 28 a) and/or the motor/generator 40 a (via the sun gear 24 a), the planetary gear set 22 a can transfer output to the accessory drive output pulley 32 a (via the planet carrier 30 a) and thereby drive the accessories 38 a at a selectable rate.
Referring to FIG. 3, an accessory drive system 10 b is shown in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. The planetary gear set 22 b of this embodiment preferably includes a double-pinion carrier 30 b configuration. The accessory drive input pulley 20 b (which runs at a fixed ratio of engine speed) is operatively connected to the sun gear 24 b of the planetary gear set 22 b. The motor/generator 40 b is operatively connected to the double-pinion carrier 30 b of the planetary gear set 22 b. The ring gear 28 b of the planetary gear set 22 b is operatively connected to the accessory drive output pulley 32 b. Therefore, in response to input from the engine 12 b (via the sun gear 24 b) and/or the motor/generator 40 b (via the double-pinion carrier 30 b), the planetary gear set 22 b can transfer output to the accessory drive output pulley 32 b (via the ring gear 28 b) and thereby drive the accessories 38 b at a selectable rate.
Referring to FIG. 4, an accessory drive system 10 c is shown in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. The planetary gear set 22 c of this embodiment preferably includes a double-pinion carrier 30 c configuration. The accessory drive input pulley 20 c (which runs at a fixed ratio of engine speed) is operatively connected to the ring gear 28 c of the planetary gear set 22 c. The motor/generator 40 c is operatively connected to the double-pinion carrier 30 c of the planetary gear set 22 c. The sun gear 24 c of the planetary gear set 22 c is operatively connected to the accessory drive output pulley 32 c. Therefore, in response to input from the engine 12 c (via the ring gear 28 c) and/or the motor/generator 40 c (via the double-pinion carrier 30 c), the planetary gear set 22 c can transfer output to the accessory drive output pulley 32 c (via the sun gear 24 c) and thereby drive the accessories 38 c at a selectable rate.
Referring to FIG. 5, an accessory drive system 10 d is shown in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. The accessory drive input pulley 20 d (which runs at a fixed ratio of engine speed) is operatively connected to the planet carrier 30 d of the planetary gear set 22 d. The motor/generator 40 d is operatively connected to the ring gear 28 d of the planetary gear set 22 d. The sun gear 24 d of the planetary gear set 22 d is operatively connected to the accessory drive output pulley 32 d. Therefore, in response to input from the engine 12 d (via the planet carrier 30 d) and/or the motor/generator 40 d (via the ring gear 28 d), the planetary gear set 22 d can transfer output to the accessory drive output pulley 32 d (via the sun gear 24 d) and thereby drive the accessories 38 d at a selectable rate.
Referring to FIG. 6, an accessory drive system 10 e is shown in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. The accessory drive input pulley 20 e (which runs at a fixed ratio of engine speed) is operatively connected to the planet carrier 30 e of the planetary gear set 22 e. The motor/generator 40 e is operatively connected to the sun gear 24 e of the planetary gear set 22 e. The ring gear 28 e of the planetary gear set 22 e is operatively connected to the accessory drive output pulley 32 e. Therefore, in response to input from the engine 12 e (via the planet carrier 30 e) and/or the motor/generator 40 e (via the sun gear 24 e), the planetary gear set 22 e can transfer output to the accessory drive output pulley 32 e (via the ring gear 28 e) and thereby drive the accessories 38 e at a selectable rate.
Referring to FIG. 7, an accessory drive system 10 f is shown in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. The accessory drive input pulley 20 f (which runs at a fixed ratio of engine speed) is operatively connected to the sun gear 24 f of the planetary gear set 22 f. The motor/generator 40 f is operatively connected to the ring gear 28 f of the planetary gear set 22 f. The planet carrier 30 f of the planetary gear set 22 f is operatively connected to the accessory drive output pulley 32 f. Therefore, in response to input from the engine 12 f (via the sun gear 24 f) and/or the motor/generator 40 f (via the ring gear 24 f), the planetary gear set 22 f can transfer output to the accessory drive output pulley 32 f (via the planet carrier 30 f) and thereby drive the accessories 38 f at a selectable rate.
Referring to FIG. 8, an accessory drive system 10 g is shown in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. In addition to the previously identified accessory drive system components of the preferred embodiment, the accessory drive system 10 g also includes a second planetary gear set 52 g operatively connected to the planetary gear set 22 g. The second planetary gear set 52 g includes a sun gear 54 g, a plurality of planet gears 56 g, a ring gear 58 g, and a planet carrier 60 g.
The accessory drive input pulley 20 g (which runs at a fixed ratio of engine speed) is operatively connected to the ring gear 28 g of the planetary gear set 22 g. The ring gear 58 g of the second planetary gear set 52 g is operatively connected to the sun gear 24 g of the planetary gear set 22 g. The motor/generator 40 g is operatively connected to the sun gear 54 g of the second planetary gear set 52 g. The planet carrier 30 g of the planetary gear set 22 g is operatively connected to the accessory drive output pulley 32 g, and the planet carrier 60 g of the second planetary gear set 52 g is grounded or held stationary at ground 48 g. Therefore, in response to input from the engine 12 g (via the ring gear 28 g) and/or the motor/generator 40 g (via the sun gear 54 g), the planetary gear sets 22 g, 52 g can transfer output to the accessory drive output pulley 32 g (via the planet carrier 30 g) and thereby drive the accessories 38 g at a selectable rate.
Referring to FIG. 9, an accessory drive system 10 h is shown in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. In addition to the previously identified accessory drive system components of the preferred embodiment, the accessory drive system 10 h also includes a second planetary gear set 52 h operatively connected to the planetary gear set 22 h. The second planetary gear set 52 h includes a sun gear 54 h, a plurality of planet gears 56 h, a ring gear 58 h, and a planet carrier 60 h.
The accessory drive input pulley 20 h (which runs at a fixed ratio of engine speed) is operatively connected to the sun gear 24 h of the planetary gear set 22 h. The planet carrier 60 h of the second planetary gear set 52 h is operatively connected to the ring gear 28 h of the planetary gear set 22 h. The motor/generator 40 h is operatively connected to the ring gear 58 h of the second planetary gear set 52 h. The ring gear 28 h of the planetary gear set 22 h is operatively connected to the accessory drive output pulley 32 h. Therefore, in response to input from the engine 12 h (via the sun gear 24 h) and/or the motor/generator 40 h (via the ring gear 58 h), the planetary gear sets 22 h, 52 h can transfer output to the accessory drive output pulley 32 h (via the ring gear 28 h) and thereby drive the accessories 38 h at a selectable rate.
Referring to FIG. 10, an accessory drive system 10 i is shown in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. The planetary gear set 22 i of this embodiment preferably includes a double-pinion carrier 30 i configuration. The accessory drive input pulley 20 i (which runs at a fixed ratio of engine speed) is operatively connected to the ring gear 28 i of the planetary gear set 22 i. A gear assembly 64 i couples the motor/generator 40 i with the double-pinion carrier 30 i of the planetary gear set 22 i. The sun gear 24 i of the planetary gear set 22 i is operatively connected to the accessory drive output pulley 32 i. Therefore, in response to input from the engine 12 i (via the ring gear 28 i) and/or the motor/generator 40 i (via the double-pinion carrier 30 i), the planetary gear set 22 i can transfer output to the accessory drive output pulley 32 i (via the sun gear 24 i) and thereby drive the accessories 38 i at a selectable rate.
Referring to FIG. 11, an accessory drive system 10 j is shown in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. The accessory drive input pulley 20 j (which runs at a fixed ratio of engine speed) is operatively connected to the planet carrier 30 j of the planetary gear set 22 j. A third belt or chain 66 j couples the motor/generator 40 j and the sun gear 24 j of the planetary gear set 22 j. The ring gear 28 j of the planetary gear set 22 j is operatively connected to the accessory drive output pulley 32 j. Therefore, in response to input from the engine 12 j (via the planet carrier 30 j) and/or the motor/generator 40 j (via the sun gear 24 j), the planetary gear set 22 j can transfer output to the accessory drive output pulley 32 j (via the ring gear 28 j) and thereby drive the accessories 38 j at a selectable rate.
While the best modes for carrying out the invention have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An accessory drive system for a vehicle comprising:

an engine;

an accessory operatively connected to the engine;

a planetary gear set disposed between the engine and the accessory;

a motor/generator operatively connected to the planetary gear set;

wherein output from said engine is transferable through the planetary gear set to drive the accessories, and the speed at which the accessories are driven is selectable by controlling the speed of the motor/generator.

2. The accessory drive system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of pulleys configured to transfer output from the engine to the accessories.

3. The accessory drive system of claim 1, further comprising at least one belt operatively connecting said plurality of pulleys.

4. The accessory drive system of claim 1, further comprising a gear assembly operatively connecting the motor/generator to the planetary gear set.

5. The accessory drive system of claim 1, further comprising a second planetary gear set operatively connected between the engine and the accessory.

6. An accessory drive system for a vehicle comprising:

a planetary gear set having a first, second, and third planetary member;

an engine operatively connected to the first planetary member;

a motor/generator operatively connected to the second planetary member; and

a plurality of accessories operatively connected to the third planetary member;

wherein engine output is transferable through the planetary gear set to drive the plurality of accessories, and the speed at which the plurality of accessories are driven is selectable by controlling the torque transfer from the motor/generator to the second planetary member.

7. The accessory drive system of claim 6, wherein the first planetary member is a ring gear member, the second planetary member is a sun gear member, and the third planetary member is a planet carrier member.

8. The accessory drive system of claim 6, wherein the first planetary member is a sun gear member, the second planetary member is a planet carrier member, and the third planetary member is a ring gear member.

9. The accessory drive system of claim 6, wherein the first planetary member is a ring gear member, the second planetary member is a planet carrier member, and the third planetary member is a sun gear member.

10. The accessory drive system of claim 6, wherein the first planetary member is a planet carrier member, the second planetary member is a ring gear member, and the third planetary member is a sun gear member.

11. The accessory drive system of claim 6, wherein the first planetary member is a planet carrier member, the second planetary member is a sun gear member, and the third planetary member is a ring gear member.

12. The accessory drive system of claim 6, wherein the first planetary member is a sun gear member, the second planetary member is a ring gear member, and the third planetary member is a planet carrier member.

13. The accessory drive system of claim 6, further comprising a gear assembly operatively connecting the motor/generator to the second planetary member.

14. The accessory drive system of claim 6, further comprising a belt operatively connecting the motor/generator to the second planetary member.

15. The accessory drive system of claim 6, further comprising a chain operatively connecting the motor/generator to the second planetary member.

16. The accessory drive system of claim 6, wherein one of the first, second, and third planetary members is a double-pinion carrier.

17. The accessory drive system of claim 6, wherein one of the first, second, and third planetary members is a single-pinion carrier.

18. An accessory drive system comprising:

a planetary gear set having a first, second, and third planetary member;

a first torque transfer apparatus operatively connecting an engine to the first planetary member;

a second torque transfer apparatus operatively connecting a motor/generator to the second planetary member; and

an accessory operatively connected to the third planetary member;

wherein the engine provides sufficient rotational resistance while off to restrain the first planetary member from rotating and thereby allow the motor/generator to drive the accessory without also driving the engine.

19. The accessory drive system of claim 18, wherein the first and second torque transfer apparatus includes a gear assembly.

20. The accessory drive system of claim 18, further comprising a chain operatively connecting the motor/generator to the second planetary member.