Alex module with axle shaft electronic management
AssigneeGKN Automotive AG
InventorBrent Peura
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An axle module for use in an automotive vehicle. The axle module includes axle shaft electronic torque management. The axle module includes a housing having a differential carrier rotatably supported therein. The axle module also includes a differential gear set rotatably supported within the differential carrier. A clutch pack contacts the differential gear set and the differential carrier. The axle module also includes a shaft connected to the clutch pack wherein the shaft is axial moveable within the differential carrier and housing.
Claims20
An axle module, said module including:
- a housing;
- a differential carrier rotatably supported within said housing;
- a differential gear set rotatably supported within said differential carrier;
- a clutch pack contacting said differential gear set and said differential carrier;
- and
- a shaft connected to said clutch pack, said shaft being axially movable.
An axle module for use in a vehicle having a plurality of wheels, said module including:
- a housing;
- a differential carrier rotatably supported in said housing;
- a ring gear connected to said differential carrier;
- a differential gear set rotatably supported within said differential carrier;
- a stub shaft having a side gear pressure plate of said differential gear set integrated thereon;
- a clutch pack arranged within said differential carrier, said clutch pack engaging said differential carrier and said side gear pressure plate;
- a ramp unit contacting said stub shaft or a thrust ring on one side and contacting said housing or a bearing or an opposite side thereof;
- and
- a drive motor controlling said ramp unit.
An axle module for use in a vehicle having a primary drive axle and a secondary drive axle, said axle module including:
- a housing;
- a differential carrier rotatably supported within said housing;
- a ring gear secured to an outside surface of said differential carrier;
- a differential gear set rotatably supported with said differential carrier, said differential gear set having a side gear;
- a shaft arranged within said differential carrier and said housing, said shaft having an integrated side gear pressure plate connected to one end thereof, said shaft having a shoulder portion on an opposite end thereof;
- a clutch pack arranged within said differential carrier, said clutch pack having a plurality of friction plates alternatingly engaged with said stub shaft and said differential carrier, respectively, said differential carrier contacting said clutch pack on one side thereof, said side gear pressure plate contacting an opposite side of said clutch pack;
- a ball ramp expander unit contacting said housing or a bearing on one side and contacting said shoulder portion or a thrust ring on an opposite side thereof, said ball ramp expander unit creates an axial force that is transferred to said stub shaft, said stub shaft capable of axial movement;
- a drive motor secured to said housing, said drive motor controlling said ball ramp expander unit;
- and
- a spring arranged between said stub shaft and said differential carrier.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.