DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The invention relates to a system for providing torque during a gear change operation in a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Transmission or powertrain is a mechanism for transferring power generated from an engine to wheels of a vehicle. The transmission generally comprises of clutch, gear box, drive shaft, differential and wheels. The torque and rotating speed from output shaft of the engine are transmitted via a drive shaft to the wheels through the clutch, gears, and differential.
[003] The clutch is providing for shifting or changing of gears when vehicle is running, and during such changing of gears, the engine engages or disengage with the transmission. When the clutch is in engaged position, the engine power or rotary motion of engine crankshaft is transmitted to the gearbox. When clutch is disengaged, the engine power does not reach the wheels, although engine is running. Thus, during gear shift operation of the vehicle, torque is not delivered to the vehicle. Hence, there is a loss of speed during the gear shift operation.
[004] In view of the above, there is a need in the art to address at-least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[005] In one aspect, the present invention provides a system for providing torque to drive wheels during a gear change operation in a vehicle, the system, comprising an electric motor having a drive shaft on which a drive gear is mounted, the electric motor configured to be operated during the gear change operation; a reverse idler motor gear configured to engage with a reverse idler shaft of a manual transmission; a connecting mechanism interconnecting the drive gear of the electric motor with the reverse idle motor gear; and an actuator for engaging the reverse idle motor gear with the reverse idler shaft of the manual transmission during the gear change operation, whereby upon operation of the electric motor the drive gear rotates the reverse idler motor gear, rotation of the reverse idler motor gear causes the idler shaft to rotate, rotation of the shaft causes differential ring gear to rotate and deliver torque to the vehicle during the gear change operation.
[006] In another aspect, the present invention provides a system for providing torque to drive wheels during a gear change operation in a vehicle, the system, comprising an electric motor having a drive shaft on which a drive gear is mounted, the electric motor configured to be operated during the gear change operation; a connecting mechanism for interconnecting the drive gear of the electric motor with a differential ring gear of a vehicle differential ring gear; and an actuator for engaging the differential ring gear of the vehicle differential during the gear change operation, whereby upon operation of the electric motor the drive gear rotates the differential axillary ring gear, rotation of the differential axillary ring gear delivers torque to the vehicle during the gear change operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[007] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 shows a system for providing torque during a gear change operation in a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 shows a system for providing torque during a gear change operation in a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 shows a system for providing torque during a gear change operation in a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[008] The present invention is directed towards providing torque during a gear change operation in a vehicle wherein an electric motor is configured to be operated to fill in torque during the gear change operation. The electric motor is connected with a manual transmission or a differential of vehicle transmission system. A connecting mechanism is provided to interconnect the electric motor with the manual transmission or differential.
[009] Figure 1 and 2 shows various embodiments of a system for providing torque during a gear change operation in a vehicle. As shown, the system comprises an electric motor 110, and a connecting mechanism 150, 250 for interconnecting the electric motor with a manual transmission 120.
[010] As discussed hereinbefore, a vehicle transmission system transfers power generated from an engine to drive wheels of a vehicle. A clutch is provided for changing gears and selectively connecting the engine with the transmission system. In an embodiment, the electric motor is configured to be driven during a gear change operation, whereby electric motor provides torque to drive wheels of the vehicle, thereby compensating for loss or interruption in torque due to the gear change operation. The gear change operation is determined by a clutch pedal position sensor, provided to monitor position of the clutch. Further, a vehicle speed sensor, an engine speed sensor and a reverse gear sensor are provided to monitor and determine gear change operation along with the clutch pedal position sensor. Accordingly, when clutch is operated, the electric motor is operated. As shown in the figures, the electric motor 110 has a drive shaft 112 on which a drive gear 114 is mounted.
[011] The manual transmission 120 shown through figures 1 to 2 is a transmission having a constant mesh gearbox whereby a counter shaft 10 having forward gears is in constant mesh with forward gears of a main shaft 20. A reverse idler shaft 122 with a reverse idle gear 12 is provided adjacent to the main shaft 20 and the counter shaft 10. Both counter shaft 10 and reverse idler shaft 12 are further connected with differential ring gear though which torque is transferred to wheels. The reverse idle gear 12 is mounted for both rotation and axial movement on the reverse idler shaft 122. The reverse idle gear 12 is configured to engage with respective gears of the main shaft 20 and the counter shaft 10 during a reverse operation. Further, a reverse idler motor gear 124 is provided to engage during a gear change operation. The reverse idle motor gear 124 is mounted for both rotation and axial movement about the reverse idler shaft 122. In an embodiment, an actuator is provided for engaging the reverse idle motor gear 124 of the manual transmission 120 with the reverse idler shaft 122 of the transmission during the gear change operation through a synchronizer mechanism. The actuator in an embodiment is a solenoid actuator. Thus, during the gear change operation, the reverse idler motor gear 124 is engaged with the reverse idler shaft 122 and further to differential ring gear. In this regard, the system comprises a control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to receive position information of the vehicle clutch and operate the actuator and the electric motor depending upon inputs from the clutch pedal position sensor. Further inputs from the vehicle speed sensor, the engine speed sensor and the reverse gear sensor can also be considered to determine gear change operation.
[012] Reference is made to embodiment shown in figure 1, wherein the connecting mechanism is an idle gear 150. As shown, the idle gear 150 drivably connects the drive gear 114 of the electric motor with the reverse idle motor gear 124 of the manual transmission. The idle gear 150 is disposed between the drive gear 114 and reverse idle motor gear 124 whereby the idle gear 150 is meshed with the drive gear 114 and the reverse idle motor gear 124. Accordingly, upon operation of the electric motor 110 the drive gear 114 rotates the reverse idle motor gear 124. During the gear change operation, the actuator engages the reverse idler motor gear 124 with the reverse idler shaft 122, and the electric motor 110 is operated causing the reverse idle motor gear 124 to rotate, and rotation of the reverse idle motor gear 124 causes the reverse idler shaft 122 to rotate, and rotation of reverse idler shaft 122 causes differential ring gear to rotate and deliver torque to drive wheels of the vehicle during the gear change operation. During normal operation of the vehicle, the reverse idler motor gear 124 is disconnected with the reverse idler shaft 122 and the actuator ensures that the reverse idler motor 124 is connected with the reverse idler shaft only during the gear change operation.
[013] Reference is made to embodiment shown in figure 2, where the connecting mechanism is a belt drive 250. The belt-drive 250 comprises of a belt extending around the drive gear 114 of the drive shaft and the reverse idle motor gear 124. Accordingly, upon operation of the electric motor 110, the drive gear 114 rotates the belt which causes the reverse idle gear 124 to rotate. During the gear change operation, the actuator engages the reverse idler motor gear 124 with the reverse idler shaft 122, and the electric motor 110 is operated causing the reverse idle motor gear 124 to rotate, and rotation of the reverse idle gear 124 causes the reverse idler shaft 122 to rotate, and rotation of reverse idler shaft 122 causes differential ring gear 320 to rotate and deliver torque to drive wheels of the vehicle during the gear change operation. During normal operation of the vehicle, the reverse idler motor gear 124 is disconnected with the reverse idler shaft 122 and the actuator ensures that the reverse idler motor 124 is connected with the reverse idler shaft only during the gear change operation.
[014] Figure 3 shows a system for providing torque during a gear change operation in a vehicle. As shown, the system comprises an electric motor 110, and a connecting mechanism 350 for interconnecting the electric motor 110 with a differential ring gear 320. The connecting mechanism is a compound gear-train 350 having plurality of gears. As shown, the electric motor 110 has the drive shaft 112 on which the drive gear 114 is mounted. The drive gear 114 is meshed with one of the gears of the compound gear-train 350. Further, one of the gears of the compound gear-train 350 is meshed with a differential auxiliary ring gear 322 of the differential 320. Accordingly, as the electric motor 110 is driven, the drive gear 114 rotates the compound gear-train 350 which causes the differential auxiliary ring gear 322 to rotate. During the gear change operation, the actuator engages the differential auxiliary ring gear 322 whereby upon operation of the electric motor 110 the drive gear 124 rotates the differential auxiliary ring gear 322, rotation of the differential ring gear 322 delivers torque to the vehicle during the gear change operation. During normal operation of the vehicle, the compound gear train 350 is disconnected with the differential auxiliary ring gear 322 and the actuator ensures that the compound gear train 350 is connected with the differential auxiliary ring gear 322 only during the gear change operation.
[015] Advantageously, the present invention fills in torque during gear change operations which improves drive quality of the vehicle and also improves fuel efficiency of the vehicle.
[016] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:

1. A system for providing torque to drive wheels during a gear change operation in a vehicle, the system, comprising:
an electric motor (110) having a drive shaft (112) on which a drive gear (114) is mounted, the electric motor configured to be operated during the gear change operation;
a reverse idler motor gear (124) configured to engage with a reverse idler shaft (122) of a manual transmission (120);
a connecting mechanism (150, 250) interconnecting the drive gear of the electric motor with the reverse idle motor gear (124); and
an actuator for engaging the reverse idle motor gear with the reverse idler shaft of the manual transmission during the gear change operation, whereby upon operation of the electric motor the drive gear rotates the reverse idler motor gear, rotation of the reverse idler motor gear causes the idler shaft to rotate, rotation of the shaft causes differential ring gear to rotate and deliver torque to the vehicle during the gear change operation.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting mechanism is an idle gear, the idle gear disposed between the drive gear and the revers idler gear for drivably connecting the drive gear with the reverse idler gear.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting mechanism is a belt-drive, the belt-drive comprising of a belt extending around the drive gear and the reverse idler gear for drivably connecting the drive gear with the reverse idler gear.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gear change operation is determined by a clutch pedal position sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, an engine speed sensor and a reverse gear sensors.

5. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein a control unit is configured to receive gear shift operation information of the vehicle from the clutch pedal position sensor, the vehicle speed sensor, the engine speed sensor, the reverse gear sensors and operate the actuator and the electric motor..

6. A system for providing torque to drive wheels during a gear change operation in a vehicle, the system, comprising:
an electric motor (110) having a drive shaft (112) on which a drive gear (114) is mounted, the electric motor configured to be operated during the gear change operation;
a connecting mechanism (350) for interconnecting the drive gear of the electric motor with a differential axillary ring gear (322) of a vehicle differential ring gear (320); and
an actuator for engaging the differential axillary ring gear of the vehicle differential during the gear change operation, whereby upon operation of the electric motor the drive gear rotates the differential axillary ring gear, rotation of the differential axillary ring gear delivers torque to the vehicle during the gear change operation.

7. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the connecting mechanism is a compound gear train, the compound gear train disposed between a drive gear of the drive shaft and a differential gear for drivably connecting the drive shaft with the reverse idler shaft.

8. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the gear change operation is determined by a clutch pedal position sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, an engine speed sensor and a reverse gear sensors

9. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein a control unit is configured to receive gear shift operation information of the vehicle from the clutch pedal position sensor, the vehicle speed sensor, the engine speed sensor, the reverse gear sensors and operate the actuator and the electric motor.