US 10,926,633 B2Granted

Method of controlling a tandem axle assembly

AssigneeDana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC

InventorsJeremy M. Frenznick, Steven Mastroianni

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Abstract

Methods of controlling a tandem axle assembly in a vehicle, the tandem axle assembly including an inter-axle differential (IAD), one or more side gears, and a front tandem axle assembly having a pair of front tandem axle half shafts selectively connected to a pair of front tandem axle wheel hub assemblies. When a determined speed of the vehicle is greater or equal to a predetermined speed, the IAD may be locked, the tandem axle wheel hub assemblies may be disconnected from their respective tandem axle shafts, and/or the IAD may be moved out of engagement with the one or more side gears. When a determined speed of the vehicle is less than a predetermined speed, the IAD may be unlocked, the tandem axle wheel hub assemblies may be connected to their respective tandem axle shafts, and/or the IAD may be engaged with the one or more side gears.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A method of controlling a tandem axle assembly in a vehicle, the tandem axle assembly including an inter-axle differential locking system comprising an inter-axle differential (IAD), a front tandem axle assembly having a pair of front tandem axle half shafts selectively connected to a pair of front tandem axle wheel hub assemblies and a rear tandem axle assembly having a pair of rear tandem axle half shafts selectively connected to a pair of rear tandem axle wheel hub assemblies, the method comprising:

determining a speed of the vehicle;
comparing the determined speed of the vehicle to a predetermined speed;
commanding the IAD to lock;
and the front tandem axle wheel hub assemblies to disconnect from the pair of front tandem axle half shafts and/or the pair of rear tandem axle wheel hub assemblies to disconnect from the pair of rear tandem axle half shafts when the determined speed of the vehicle is greater or equal to the predetermined speed;
and
commanding the IAD to unlock;
and the pair of front tandem axle wheel hub assemblies to connect to the pair of front tandem axle half shafts and/or the pair of rear tandem axle wheel hub assemblies to connect to the pair of rear tandem axle half shafts when the determined speed of the vehicle is lower than the predetermined speed.

4 more elements

A method of controlling a tandem axle assembly in a vehicle, the tandem axle assembly including an inter-axle differential locking system comprising an inter-axle differential (IAD), a helical side gear, a front tandem axle assembly having a pair of front tandem axle half shafts selectively connected to a pair of front tandem axle wheel hub assemblies and a rear tandem axle assembly having a pair of rear tandem axle half shafts selectively connected to a pair of rear tandem axle wheel hub assemblies, the method comprising:

determining a speed of the vehicle;
comparing the determined speed of the vehicle to a predetermined speed;
commanding the pair of front tandem axle wheel hub assemblies to disconnect from the pair of front tandem axle half shafts;
and the IAD to move out of engagement with the helical side gear when the determined speed of the vehicle is greater or equal to the predetermined speed;
and
commanding the pair of front tandem axle wheel hub assemblies to connect to the pair of front tandem axle half shafts;
and the IAD to engage with the helical side gear when the determined speed of the vehicle is lower than the predetermined speed.

4 more elements

A method of controlling a tandem axle assembly in a vehicle, the tandem axle assembly including an inter-axle differential locking system comprising an intermediate shaft, an inter-axle differential (IAD) drivingly connected to the intermediate shaft, an intermediate shaft side gear, a front tandem axle assembly having a pair of front tandem axle half shafts selectively connected to a pair of front tandem axle wheel hub assemblies and a rear tandem axle assembly having a pair of rear tandem axle half shafts selectively connected to a pair of rear tandem axle wheel hub assemblies, the method comprising:

determining a speed of the vehicle;
comparing the determined speed of the vehicle to a predetermined speed;
commanding the pair of rear tandem axle wheel hub assemblies to disconnect from the pair of rear tandem axle half shafts;
the IAD to move out of engagement with the intermediate shaft side gear;
and the IAD to lock when the determined speed of the vehicle is greater or equal to the predetermined speed;
and
commanding the pair of rear tandem axle wheel hub assemblies to connect to the pair of rear tandem axle half shafts;
the IAD to engage with the intermediate shaft side gear;
and the IAD to unlock when the determined speed of the vehicle is lower than the predetermined speed.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/202,186Filed 28 Nov 2018
Published: US 2020/0164743 A128 May 2020
Granted: 23 Feb 2021
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification19 codes

B60K 23/0808
For changing number of driven wheels , for switching from driving one axle to driving two or more axles: for varying torque distribution between…
B60B 35/14
Torque-transmitting axles: composite or split, e.g. half- axles; Couplings between axle parts or sections
B60K 17/02
Arrangement or mounting of transmissions in vehicles: characterised by arrangement, location, or kind of clutch
B60K 17/36
Arrangement or mounting of transmissions in vehicles: for driving tandem wheels