Vehicle drivetrain with interaxle differential and method for drivetrain operation
AssigneeDana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
InventorsBrian V. Knapke, Patrick F. Rose, Atul Jagannath Patil
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Drivetrain systems and methods are provided. In one example, the drivetrain system includes an interaxle differential (IAD) configured to receive power from a prime mover, a motor configured to drive a planetary gearset, and a ball ramp actuator configured to selectively engage a plurality of plates in a clutch pack of a friction clutch in response to receiving rotational input from the planetary gearset. In an engaged configuration, the friction clutch prevents speed differentiation between a first IAD output and a second IAD output.
Claims18
An interaxle differential (IAD) system, comprising:
- an IAD configured to couple to a prime mover and including a first output that is configured to couple to a first axle and a second output that is configured to couple to a second axle;
- an electric motor coupled to a self-locking planetary gearset;
- an actuator coupled to the self-locking planetary gearset;
- and
- a friction clutch that is coupled to the actuator and selectively locks the IAD;
- wherein in the locked configuration the friction clutch inhibits speed differentiation between the first output and the second output;
- wherein in an unlocked configuration the friction clutch permits speed differentiation between the first output and the second output;
- and
- wherein the first axle and the second axle are included in a tandem axle.
A power divider for a vehicle drivetrain, comprising:
- a friction clutch configured to automatically and selectively prevent speed differentiation between a first output and a second output;
- and
- an electric motor that drives a self-locking planetary gearset, and a ball ramp actuator cooperatively functioning to lock and unlock the friction clutch;
- wherein the first output is configured to couple to a first axle;
- wherein the second output is configured to couple to a second axle;
- wherein when the friction clutch is locked a speed variance between the first axle and the second axle is inhibited;
- and
- wherein the friction clutch is a wet friction clutch.
A method for operation of an inter-axle differential (IAD), comprising:
- locking a friction clutch in the IAD based on one or more vehicle operating conditions;
- wherein the IAD comprises:
- an electric motor driving a self-locking planetary gearset;
- and
- a ball ramp actuator that is coupled the friction clutch;
- wherein the IAD includes a first output and a second output that are configured to couple to a first axle and a second axle, respectively;
- and
- wherein the locking the friction clutch includes:
- energizing the electric motor until a plurality of plates frictionally engage to prevent speed differentiation between the first output and the second output;
- and
- de-energizing the electric motor after the plurality of plates are frictionally engaged.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.