POWERTRAIN SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A POWERTRAIN

Abstract

A powertrain system includes an input element, an output element, and a magnetic transmission stage disposed directly at the output element. The magnetic transmission stage includes a first rotor with a first number of pole pairs, a second rotor with a second number of pole pairs, the second number of pole pairs being different from the first number of pole pairs, a third rotor with a number of pole bars arranged such that the magnetic field between the first and second pole pairs is modulated. A mechanical transmission stage is disposed between the magnetic transmission stage and the input element in the powertrain, and a control means controls a power flow between the input element and the output element. The control means is connected to a rotor of the magnetic transmission stage and to a shaft of the mechanical transmission stage.

Claims

1. A powertrain system, comprising: an input element, an output element, a magnetic transmission stage disposed directly at the output element and comprising a first rotor with a first number of pole pairs, a second rotor with a second number of pole pairs, the second number of pole pairs being different from the first number of pole pairs, a third rotor with a number of pole bars arranged such that the magnetic field between the first and second pole pairs is modulated, a mechanical transmission stage disposed between the magnetic transmission stage and the input element in the powertrain, and a control means for controlling a power flow between the input element and the output element, wherein, the control means is connected to a rotor of the magnetic transmission stage and to a shaft of the mechanical transmission stage.

2. The powertrain system of claim 1, wherein the rotational speed of the rotor and the rotational speed of the shaft to which the control means is connected is controlled independently of one another.

3. The powertrain system of claim 1, wherein the rotor and the shaft are directly connected to one another.

4. The powertrain system of claim 1, wherein the control means comprises a first electric motor.

5. The powertrain system of claim 1, wherein the control means is connected to a battery or a storage battery.

6. The powertrain system of claim 1, wherein the control means comprises a second electric motor coupled to a shaft in the powertrain for transmitting power or rotational speed and is arranged between the input element and the magnetic transmission stage.

7. The powertrain system of claim 1, wherein electrical energy is transmitted from the second electric motor to the first electric motor.

8. The powertrain system of claim 1, wherein the mechanical transmission stage is replaced by an additional magnetic transmission stage.

9. The powertrain system of claim 1, wherein the powertrain system has a second output element.

10. A method for operating a powertrain, comprising: providing an input element for introducing torque and rotational speed, two output elements, a magnetic transmission stage having a first rotor with a first number of pole pairs, a second rotor with a second number of pole pairs different from the first number of pole pairs, and a third rotor with pole bars arranged such that the magnetic field between the first and second pole pairs is modulated, and a mechanical transmission stage; providing the magnetic transmission stage and the mechanical transmission stage as summing transmissions; delivering torque and a rotational speed by the output elements; controlling the torque and rotational speed between the input element and the output elements via a control means; conducting the torque and rotational speed from the input element to a rotor of the magnetic transmission stage or to the mechanical transmission stage; and regulating a rotational speed of one of the rotors of the magnetic transmission stage and a rotational speed of a shaft of the mechanical transmission stage by the control means.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising apportioning power from the input element to the magnetic and the mechanical transmission stages.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising: converting a portion of power into electrical energy before power splitting; and using the electrical energy between the magnetic and mechanical transmission stage for controlling both stages.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising using an electric motor as the control means.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising introducing a power by the control means at an innermost rotor of the magnetic transmission stage and at the sun gear of the mechanical transmission stage, where the innermost rotor comprises either the first rotor, the second rotor, or the third rotor.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the output power streams are present in parallel at the output elements.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] The above-mentioned aspects of the present disclosure and the manner of obtaining them will become more apparent and the disclosure itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of the embodiments of the disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0039] FIG. 1 is a schematic structure of a first embodiment of a powertrain system;

[0040] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a further structural design of the system of FIG. 1;

[0041] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a structure of an additional embodiment of a powertrain system; and

[0042] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an additional structural view of the system of FIG. 3.

[0043] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] In the present disclosure and the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, a powertrain system consists of a magnetic transmission stage 11 and a mechanical transmission stage 12. A motor 13 is provided between the two transmission stages 11, 12. The motor is connected to an internal rotor of the magnetic transmission stage 11 and to the sun gear of the mechanical transmission stage 12. The motor 13 can be used in this way to control the magnetic transmission stage 11 and the mechanical transmission stage 12. In addition, the two transmission stages 11, 12 are connected to one another by means of a ring gear 14. The input power 15 is introduced into the magnetic transmission stage 11. The output power 40 for the output is provided by the mechanical transmission stage 12. Both the magnetic transmission stage 11 and the mechanical transmission stage 12 can be controlled by the motor 13 and adapted to the power conditions.

[0045] In FIG. 1, the input power and the output power are introduced and drawn off via the planet carrier of the magnetic transmission stage 11 and of the mechanical transmission 12 respectively.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 2, the input power 15 is introduced via the input shaft 16 into the magnetic transmission stage 11. Due to the design, the power is introduced into the planet carrier or the center rotor 18 of the magnetic gear stage 11. The internal rotor 19 of the magnetic transmission stage 11 is driven by the motor 13. The control power of the motor 13 is transmitted via a shaft 21 to the internal rotor 19. Thereby the relative power that is transmitted via the center rotor 18 to the external rotor 20 of the magnetic transmission stage 11 can be adjusted. The external rotor 20 is simultaneously the ring gear of the mechanical transmission stage 12. The external rotor is set into rotation by the relative power that is introduced into the external rotor of the magnetic transmission stage 11 and this rotation is transmitted to the ring gear 25 of the mechanical transmission stage 12.

[0047] The mechanical transmission stage 12 is likewise controlled by the motor 13. The control power is therefore transmitted to the sun gear 23 of the mechanical transmission stage 12 via a shaft 22. Thereby power is applied to the planet gear 24 of the mechanical transmission stage 12 so that the planet gear rotates relative to the ring gear 25. This rotation is transferred to the planet carrier 26 of the magnetic transmission stage 12, so that an output power 40 is provided.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 3, a schematic structure of an additional embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated with Wolf symbols. The powertrain system 10 here consists of a magnetic transmission stage 11 and a mechanical transmission stage 12. Both transmission stages are connected to one another via the planet carrier of the magnetic transmission stage, which simultaneously constitutes the ring gear for the mechanical transmission stage 12. In this way, the introduction of power is apportioned simultaneously to the magnetic and the mechanical transmission stages. Both the magnetic transmission stage 11 and the mechanical transmission stage 12 are controllably connected to a motor 13. Thereby a respective output power is provided by both the magnetic transmission stage 11 and the mechanical transmission stage 12.

[0049] In FIG. 4, an additional structural design of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is further illustrated. Here, the input power 15 is apportioned via the input shaft 17 to the center rotor 18 of the magnetic transmission stage 11 and simultaneously via the ring gear 25 of the mechanical transmission stage 12 and is introduced into the powertrain system 10. The power is apportioned to the magnetic and mechanical power paths of the powertrain system 10. In the same form as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, a control power is introduced by means of a motor 13 via the shaft 21 into the internal rotor 19 of the magnetic transmission stage 11. Thereby an output power 40 is applied to the external rotor 20 of the magnetic transmission stage 11 and output to a hollow shaft 27.

[0050] At the same time power is introduced via the ring gear 25 into the mechanical transmission stage 12. By means of the planet gear 24 and due to the simultaneous power control by the motor 13 via the control shaft 22 onto the sun gear 23, power is applied to the planet carrier 26 of the mechanical transmission stage 12 and is output via the output shaft 27.

[0051] Due to the two different output power streams 40 and 41, which are simultaneously present at shafts 27 and 26, it is possible to switch between the two power streams with a clutch.

[0052] The powertrain system can be used in all drives in which a change of power between the drive and the output is provided. In particular, the powertrain system can be provided in vehicles. A reduction of the overall size and saving of space can be achieved with the system due to the elimination of the usual reverse gear and the corresponding additional shaft.

[0053] In addition, the powertrain system can be connected to an oil lubrication system in order to guarantee lubrication and allow dissipation of heat. The system can also be combined with a hydraulic transmission in order to realize additional power splitting.

[0054] While embodiments incorporating the principles of the present disclosure have been described hereinabove, the present disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments. Instead, this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosure using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this disclosure pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.