Inter-axle differential assembly for a tandem drive axle set

Abstract

An inter-axle differential assembly for a tandem drive axle set is disclosed that permits a rear drive assembly and a forward drive assembly to have the same input axis. The forward drive assembly includes a hollow pinion gear. An inter-axle differential assembly receives input from a driveline connection and transfers this input to the hollow pinion gear and to a through shaft that extends through the hollow pinion gear. The hollow pinion gear drives a main differential assembly that in turn drives a forward axle. The through shaft extends toward a rear drive assembly and provides input to the rear drive assembly. The rear drive assembly utilizes a rear pinion gear to drive a rear differential. The rear differential in turn drives a rear axle. Thus, the present design permits a common axis to be shared by the input to the forward drive assembly and the input to the rear drive assembly. In addition, the present design eliminates the traditionally required helical gears from the forward drive assembly.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.