Systems and methods for disconnecting tandem axles
AssigneeDana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
InventorsSteven Mastroianni, Andrew T. Brammer, Jeremy M. Frenznick
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for controlling a multi-axle assembly in a vehicle. The multi-axle assembly may be operated according to a requested mode, where the mode includes providing torque at one, two, or no axles of the multi-axle assembly, and the requested mode may be selected based on vehicle speed. In this way, operation of the multi-axle assembly may be adjusted according to a fuel efficiency of the vehicle while the vehicle is in motion.
Claims19
A method for controlling a multi-axle assembly in a vehicle, comprising:
- operating the multi-axle assembly according to a requested mode of a plurality of modes, wherein the plurality of modes includes providing torque at one, two and no axles of the multi-axle assembly based on a speed of the vehicle, wherein providing torque at an axle of the multi-axle assembly includes connecting wheels to the axle to propel vehicle motion, and wherein the wheels are connected to the axle by wheel hub assemblies configured to lock and unlock the wheels to and from the axle.
A method for a tandem axle assembly in a vehicle, comprising:
- responsive to a low speed condition of the vehicle,
- supplying torque at a first set of wheels and a second set of wheels of the vehicle by connecting the first set of wheels to a first axle and the second set of wheels to a second axle of the tandem axle assembly;
- responsive to a high speed condition of the vehicle,
- disconnecting the first set of wheels from the first axle and the second set of wheels from the second axle to interrupt torque supply to first and second sets of wheels;
- and
- responsive to a variable speed condition of the vehicle,
- selectively connecting one of the first set of wheels to the first axle and the second set of wheels to the second axle according to vehicle operating conditions.
A tandem axle assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
- a first axle coupled to a first torque-generating device, the first axle configured to be connected to a first set of wheels;
- a second axle arranged parallel with and adjacent to the first axle, the second axle coupled to a second torque-generating device and configured to be connected to a second set of wheels;
- and
- a controller with computer readable instructions stored on non-transitory memory that, when executed during vehicle operation, cause the controller to:
- adjust torque supply at the first and second sets of wheels in response to vehicle operating conditions, wherein the torque is supplied at one, both or neither of the first and second sets of wheels.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.