Stellantis could also be seeking to adapt planetary gear hybrid methods—just like the one presently used within the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid plug-in hybrid minivan—to extra rugged autos, a patent submitting signifies.
The Pacifica Hybrid makes use of a planetary power-split system to juggle its 3.6-liter V-6 and a pair of electrical motors, which might each be used as mills for propulsion. However in a patent submitting submitted to the USA Patent and Trademark Workplace (USPTO) in July 2023, and revealed by that workplace Feb. 6, Stellantis claims such methods will not be ideally suited for all functions.
Stellantis planetary gear transmission patent picture
Stellantis planetary gear transmission patent picture
Within the submitting, Stellantis notes that, when mixed with the switch circumstances generally used with mechanical four-wheel-drive methods, a planetary-gear system could cause tough shifts between excessive and low vary, problem participating the low-range gear’s splines whereas the automobile is stopped, and troublesome synchronizing shifts whereas in low vary.
Issues like these probably contributed to the choice to make use of a completely different plug-in hybrid system within the Jeep Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrids. These SUVs retain mechanical four-wheel-drive methods just like their non-hybrid counterparts, together with 8-speed computerized transmissions. In that setup, one electrical motor is built-in with the transmission, whereas a second, smaller motor-generator attaches to the engine’s crankshaft.
2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe
Stellantis is actually making an attempt to separate the distinction by combining with 2-speed switch case from a conventional four-wheel-drive system with a planetary-gear energy break up configuration. In response to the submitting, it goals to try this with a disconnect gadget that may uncouple the engine and electrical motors from the driveline, utilizing motor torque to synchronize the enter and output shaft speeds of the switch case.
Such a system might show helpful in future Jeep hybrid and plug-in hybrid fashions, serving to to take care of their off-road functionality whereas maybe enhancing effectivity over the present 4xe system. These present 4xe plug-in hybrids have typically offered effectively, and Jeep is reportedly contemplating hybrids with out cost ports to promote alongside them within the U.S.
