US 2006/0079369 A1Published application

Torque vectoring axle assembly

AssigneeMagna Powertrain USA, Inc.

InventorsSankar Mohan, Anupam Sharma, Thomas Bowen

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A drive axle assembly includes first and second axleshafts connected to a pair of wheels and a drive mechanism operable to selectively couple a driven input shaft to one or both of the axleshafts. The drive mechanism includes a differential, a speed changing unit operably disposed between the differential assembly and the first and second axleshafts, first and second mode clutches and a brake unit. The first mode clutch is operable to increase the rotary speed of the first axleshaft which, in turn, causes a corresponding decrease in the rotary speed of the second axleshaft. The second mode clutch is operable to increase the rotary speed of the second axleshaft so as to cause a decrease in the rotary speed of the first axleshaft. The brake unit is operable to engage the speed changing unit. A control system controls actuation of both mode clutches.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A motor vehicle, comprising:

a powertrain operable for generating drive torque;
a primary driveline for transmitting drive torque from said powertrain to first and second primary wheels;
a secondary driveline for selectively transmitting drive torque from said powertrain to first and second secondary wheels, said secondary driveline including an input shaft driven by said powertrain, a first axleshaft driving said first secondary wheel, a second axleshaft driving said second secondary wheel, and a drive mechanism disposed between said input shaft and said first and second axleshafts, said drive mechanism including a differential, a speed changing unit, first and second mode clutches and a brake unit, said differential having an input component driven by said input shaft, a first output component driving said first axleshaft and a second output component driving said second axleshaft, said speed changing unit having a first shaft driven by said input component, a second shaft and a gearset for disposed between said first and second shafts, said first mode clutch is operable for selectively coupling said first output component to said second shaft, said second mode clutch is operable for selectively coupling said second output component to said second shaft, and said brake unit is operable for selectively engaging said gearset to permit said second shaft to be driven by said first shaft;
and
a control system for controlling actuation of said first and second mode clutches and said brake unit.

2 more elements

A drive axle assembly for use in a motor vehicle having a powertrain and first and second wheels, comprising:

an input shaft driven by the powertrain;
a first axleshaft driving the first wheel;
a second axleshaft driving the second wheel;
a drive mechanism coupling said input shaft to said first and second axleshafts, said drive mechanism including a differential, a speed changing unit, first and second mode clutches and a brake unit, said differential having an input component driven by said input shaft, a first output component driving said first axleshaft and a second output component driving said second axleshaft, said speed changing unit having a first shaft driven by said input component, a second shaft and a gearset disposed between said first and second shafts, said first mode clutch is operable for selectively coupling said first output component to said second shaft, said second mode clutch is operable for selectively coupling said second output component to said second shaft, and said brake unit is operable for selectively engaging said gearset to permit said second shaft to be driven at a different rotary speed relative to said first shaft;
and
a control system for controlling actuation of said first and second mode clutches and said brake unit.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 11/226,993Filed 15 Sep 2005
Priority: 24 May 2004
Published: 13 Apr 2006
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification20 codes

F16H 48/30
Arrangements for suppressing or influencing the differential action, e.g. locking devices: using externally-actuatable means
B60K 17/16
Characterised by arrangement, location or kind of gearing: of differential gearing
B60K 17/3462
The transfer gear being a differential gear: with means for changing distribution of torque between front and rear wheels
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…

Family

Application10/852,620Continuation in part · filed 24 May 2004
Application11/226,993Continuation in part · filed 15 Sep 2005
US 2005/0261098 A1Published application
US 7,086,982 B2Related patent
US 7,267,627 B2Related patent
US 2006/0079369 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.