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US 2014/0274529 A1Published application
Torque management unit with integrated hydraulic actuator
AssigneeEaton Corporation
InventorsAndrew Edler, Daniel Fisher, Scott Besemer, Christian Chimner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present disclosure provides an improved, integrated electronically controlled hydraulic-based torque distribution system and related method. The torque distribution system of the present disclosure includes an electric motor that drives a pump that generates hydraulic pressure used to selectively activate a clutch pack to transfer torque to the wheels of a motor vehicle.
Claims32
A torque management system for a motor vehicle comprising:
- a differential cover including an interior surface and an exterior surface;
- a first output shaft extending outwardly from the differential cover configured to drive the rotation of a first vehicle wheel;
- a differential carrier rotatable about an axis;
- a gear assembly housed within the differential carrier, the gear assembly being coupled to the first output shaft and a second output shaft, the first and second output shafts being aligned along the axis, the gear assembly being configured to transfer torque from differential carrier to the first and second output shafts while also allowing the first and second output shafts to rotate at a different rotational speeds about the axis, the second output shaft being configured to drive the rotation of a second vehicle wheel;
- an electric motor mounted to the differential cover;
- a hydraulic pump arranged and configured to be driven by the electric motor;
- a pressure regulating valve in fluid communication with the pump;
- and
- a clutch pack assembly configured to be activated based on hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic pump, the clutch assembly including a plurality of friction disks arranged around the first output shaft, wherein the clutch assembly resists relative rotation between the differential carrier and the first output shaft when activated.
6 more elements
A torque management system for a motor vehicle comprising:
- a differential cover configured to enclose a vehicle differential, wherein the differential cover defines a lower hydraulic reservoir;
- an electric motor mounted to the differential cover;
- a hydraulic pump driven by the electric motor located in the lower hydraulic reservoir;
- a pressure regulating valve located in the lower hydraulic reservoir and arranged in fluid communication with the hydraulic pump;
- a hydraulically driven piston that extends and retracts based on hydraulic pressure;
- and
- a clutch pack assembly configured to be progressively engage based on the position of the hydraulically driven piston.
4 more elements
A method of controlling torque management for a vehicle comprising:
- sending a control signal to a brushless electric motor supported on differential cover based on the desired torque response;
- wherein the brushless electric motor drives a hydraulic pump which generates hydraulic pressure that acts on an annular hydraulic piston thereby compressing a clutch pack that when compressed transfers torque from a left output shaft to a right output shaft.
An axle assembly comprising:
- an axle module housing;
- a differential positioned within the axle module housing, the differential having a differential casing that is rotatable relative to the axle module housing about an axis;
- an output shaft coupled to the differential, the output shaft being aligned along the axis;
- a main cover that mounts to the axle module housing, the main cover having a first side and an opposite second side, the first side of the main cover facing toward the axle module housing when the main cover is mounted to the axle module housing, the second side facing away from the axle module housing when the main cover is mounted to the axle module housing, the main cover including a main body having a peripheral flange that defines a main outer boundary of the main cover, the main cover defining a shaft opening for receiving the output shaft, the main cover including a cavity-defining portion that defines a cavity, wherein the cavity corresponds to a hydraulic reservoir, and wherein at least a first portion of the hydraulic reservoir extends radially outside the main outer boundary;
- a shaft bearing positioned within the shaft opening for allowing the output shaft to rotate about the axis relative to the main cover;
- a clutch pack housed within the main cover for controlling relative rotation between the differential casing and the output shaft when compressed, the clutch pack being positioned at the first side of the main cover;
- a piston for compressing the clutch pack to control relative rotation between the differential casing and the output shaft, the piston being housed within a piston chamber defined by the main cover, the piston being positioned at the first side of the main cover;
- a reservoir cover that mounts to the second side of the main cover, the reservoir cover covering the cavity to enclose the hydraulic reservoir when the reservoir cover is mounted to the second side of the main cover;
- a hydraulic pump for generating hydraulic pressure that is applied to the piston to compress the clutch pack, the hydraulic pump having an outlet in fluid communication with the piston chamber when the reservoir cover is mounted to the main cover, the hydraulic pump having an inlet in fluid communication with the hydraulic reservoir, the hydraulic pump being carried with the reservoir cover;
- and
- an electric motor for driving the hydraulic pump, the electric motor being carried with the reservoir cover.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.