Planetary gear system for controlling torque transfer in a vehicle driveline
AssigneeVisteon Global Technologies, Inc.
InventorsPerry Edward Phelan, Joseph Palazzolo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A transfer case system distributes torque between primary and secondary drive trains. The system comprises a planetary gear set having a sun gear, a ring gear, a planetary gear intermeshed with the sun gear and ring gear, and a planetary carrier rotatably connected with the planetary gear. The system also comprises a torque sink connected with the sun gear and a torque input shaft connected with the ring gear and the primary drive train. The torque sink applies a braking force to the rotation of the sun gear in response to instructions from a controller, causing the ring gear to output torque to a secondary drive train.
Claims9
A transfer case system comprising:
- a planetary gear set comprising a sun gear, a ring gear, at least one planetary gear intermeshed with the sun gear and ring gear, and a planetary carrier rotatably connected with the at least one planetary gear;
- a torque sink connected with the sun gear, the torque sink further comprising a pump having an outer rotor, an inner rotor, a fluid inlet line, a fluid outlet line, a fluid reservoir, and a fluid flow control device, wherein the sun gear is connected with a rotor of the pump;
- and,
- a torque input shaft operably connected with the planetary carrier, the torque input shaft also coupled with a primary drive train;
- wherein the torque sink applies a braking force to the rotation of the sun gear in response to instructions from a controller, causing the ring gear to output torque to a secondary drive train.
A vehicle control system for distributing torque to primary and secondary drive trains comprising:
- a planetary gear set comprising a sun gear, a ring gear, at least one planetary gear intermeshed with the sun gear and ring gear, and a planetary carrier rotatably connected with the at least one planetary gear;
- a torque sink connected with the sun gear, the torque sink further comprising a pump having an outer rotor, an inner rotor, a fluid inlet line, a fluid outlet line, a fluid reservoir, and a fluid flow control device, wherein the sun gear is connected with a rotor of the pump;
- a torque input shaft operably connected with the planetary carrier, the torque input shaft also coupled with a primary wheel drive shaft;
- a controller;
- and,
- sensors in communication with the controller wherein the sensors monitor vehicle conditions;
- wherein the torque sink, in response to instructions from the controller, applies a braking force to the rotation of the sun gear, causing the ring gear to output torque to a the secondary drive train.
A method of distributing torque between a primary drive train and secondary drive train, the method comprising:
- providing a transfer case system comprising a sun gear, a ring gear, at least one planetary gear intermeshed with the sun gear and ring gear, a planetary carrier rotatably connected with the at least one planetary gear, a torque sink connected with the sun gear, and an input shaft operably connected with the planetary carrier, the torque sink further comprising a pump having an outer rotor, an inner rotor, a fluid inlet line, a fluid outlet line, a fluid reservoir, and a fluid flow control device, wherein the sun pear is connected with a rotor of the pump;
- monitoring vehicle conditions with sensors and a controller for predetermined vehicle conditions that require torque transfer from a primary drive train to the secondary drive train;
- instructing the torque sink to apply a braking force to the rotation of the sun gear when the predetermined vehicle conditions are experienced;
- outputting torque at the ring gear wherein the ring gear applies torque to a secondary drive train;
- and
- removing the braking force on the sun gear when the predetermined vehicle conditions are no longer experienced.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.