Differential system with differential rate governed by variable speed motor and associated method of operation

Abstract

Disclosed herein are systems, gearing assemblies and methods for controlling a differential rotation rate between shafts of a vehicle using a variable speed motor. An embodiment includes a gearing assembly including a differential configured to engage a first axle shaft, a second axle shaft, and a drive shaft of a vehicle. The gearing assembly further includes a plurality of adjustment gears configured to engage the differential, configured to be driven by a variable speed motor of the vehicle, and configured to controllably alter a rotation of the first axle shaft relative to the second axle shaft based on rotation produced by the variable speed motor. The plurality of adjustment gears includes a subassembly of planetary gears including a planetary gear carrier, a first set of planetary gears coupled to the planetary gear carrier, and a second set of planetary gears coupled to the planetary gear carrier.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.