US 5,352,164 AGranted

Switchable differential drive

AssigneeGKN Automotive AG

InventorsJorg Bensinger, John Botterill, Karl-Heinz Hulsebusch

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A switchable differential drive, preferably for a vehicle driven by an electric motor, has a differential drive housing, a drivable differential carrier rotatably supported in the housing, two axle shaft gears supported therein, which are connected to output shafts extending out of the differential carrier and which are connected to one another via differential gears. A first output shaft is designed directly as an axle shaft and a second output shaft is coaxially supported in the first axle shaft. Two switching couplings are arranged coaxially relative to the latter axle shaft. To obtain a first gear stage, the first switching coupling is engaged, thereby non-rotatingly connecting the output shaft to the axle shaft, while the second switching coupling is open. To obtain a second gear stage with one wheel drive, the second switching coupling is engaged, thereby non-rotatingly connecting the output shaft to the differential drive housing while the other switching coupling is open.

Claims7

Dependent claims

A switchable differential drive preferably for a vehicle driven by an electric motor, comprising:

a differential drive housing;
a drivable differential carrier rotatably supported in said housing;
two axle shaft gears supported within said housing, said axle shaft gears being connected to output shafts extending out of the differential carrier and which are coupled to one another via differential gears;
a first output shaft being an axle shaft and a second output shaft being coaxially supported in the axle shaft;
two switching couplings being arranged coaxially relative to said axle shaft;
and
means for actuating said switching couplings wherein, to obtain a first gear stage, said first switching coupling being engaged, thereby non-rotatingly connecting the output shaft to the axle shaft, while the second switching coupling is open, and obtaining a second gear stage, when said second switching coupling being engaged, thereby non-rotatingly connecting said output shaft to the differential drive housing while the other switching coupling is open.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/065,637Filed 21 May 1993
Priority: DE 421731326 May 1992
Granted: 4 Oct 1994
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification26 codes

B60K 23/04
Arrangement or mounting of control devices for vehicle transmissions, or parts thereof, not otherwise provided for: for differential gearing
B60K 6/36
Characterised by apparatus, components or means specially adapted for HEVs: characterised by the transmission gearings
B60K 6/38
Characterised by apparatus, components or means specially adapted for HEVs: characterised by the driveline clutches
B60K 6/48
Characterised by the architecture of the hybrid electric vehicle: parallel type