Multi-mode powertrain for work vehicle providing selective power distribution between axles
AssigneeDeere & Company
InventorsJeffrey L. Lubben, Mark W. Freudenberg, Viresh Hitanalli
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A work vehicle includes a multi-mode power distribution assembly that selectively distributes power from a drive shaft between a first axle and a second axle. The power distribution assembly includes a plurality of clutches, each moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The power distribution assembly includes a first mode, a second mode, and a third mode. In some embodiments, the first mode may be a four-wheel drive mode, the second mode may be an all-wheel drive mode, and the third mode may be an overdrive mode. Also, a park mode may be provided, wherein the clutches are in the engaged position.
Claims20
A work vehicle comprising:
- a power plant that is configured to generate power for rotating a drive shaft;
- a first axle;
- a second axle;
- and
- a power distribution assembly having a plurality of modes, the power distribution assembly configured to selectively distribute power from the drive shaft between the first axle and the second axle in the plurality of modes, the power distribution assembly comprising:
- a plurality of clutches, each moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, the plurality of clutches including at least one clutch that is configured to change between the respective engaged position and the respective disengaged position to selectively change the power distribution assembly between the plurality of modes;
- and
- a planetary gearset including a first component, a second component, and a third component;
- wherein the plurality of modes includes a first mode, a second mode, and a third mode;
- wherein, in the first mode, power from the drive shaft is configured to be input to the first component and transferred to the second and third components for transmission to the first axle and the second axle, the first and second axles being fixed together for rotation at a fixed speed ratio in the first mode;
- wherein, in the second mode, power from the drive shaft is configured to be input to the first component and is divided between the second and third components for delivery to the first axle and the second axle, the first and second axles being configured for rotation at a varying speed ratio in the second mode;
- and
- wherein, in the third mode, power from the drive shaft is configured to be input via an input member to the first component, is output to the first axle via the second component, and is prevented from transferring to the second axle via the third component, an input speed of the input member being less than an output speed of the second axle.
A method of operating a multi-mode power distribution assembly that includes a plurality of clutches and a planetary gearset, the plurality of clutches being independently moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, the planetary gearset including a first component, a second component, and a third component, the method comprising:
- changing the power distribution assembly between a first mode, a second mode, and a third mode by moving at least one of the plurality of clutches between the engaged position and the disengaged position;
- operating the power distribution assembly in the first mode with power from a drive shaft being input to the first component and transferred to the second and third components for transmission to a first axle and a second axle, the first and second axles being fixed together for rotation at a fixed speed ratio in the first mode;
- operating the power distribution assembly in the second mode with power from the drive shaft being input to the first component and divided between the second and third components for delivery to the first axle and the second axle, the first and second axles being configured for rotation at a varying speed ratio in the second mode;
- and
- operating the power distribution assembly in the third mode with power from the drive shaft being input to an input member of the power distribution assembly for rotating the first component and being output to the first axle via the second component, the power from the drive shaft prevented from transferring to the second axle, an input speed of the input member being less than an output speed of the second axle in the third mode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.