Back to results
US 6,779,420 B2Granted
Integrated twin pull electronic torque management axle
AssigneeGKN Automotive AG
InventorBrent M. Peura
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An axle module for use in an automotive vehicle. The axle module includes a housing and a ring gear assembly rotatably supported within the housing. The axle module also includes a shaft arranged within the ring gear assembly. The axle module further includes a clutch pack arranged within the ring gear assembly and in an expansion unit arranged adjacent to the shaft and the housing. The axle module also includes a motor which is used to control the transfer of an axial torque through the clutch pack and plurality of plates.
Claims16
An axle module, said module including:
- a housing;
- a ring gear assembly rotatably arranged within said housing;
- a shaft arranged within said ring gear assembly;
- a clutch pack arranged within said ring gear assembly;
- an inner hub rotatably fixed to said shaft, said inner hub engaging a pressure ring on one side of said pressure ring, an opposite side of said pressure ring engaging said clutch pack, said inner hub transfers an axial force to said pressure ring at predetermined conditions;
- and
- an expansion unit arranged adjacent to said shaft and said housing.
4 more elements
An axle module, said module including:
- a housing;
- a ring gear assembly rotatably arranged within said housing;
- a shaft arranged within said ring gear assembly;
- a clutch pack arranged within said ring gear assembly;
- an inner hub rotatably fixed to said shaft, said inner hub engaging a pressure ring on one side of said pressure ring, an opposite side of said pressure ring engaging said clutch pack, said shaft having an orifice therethrough, a securing member arranged in said orifice, said securing member contacting said inner hub on one end thereof;
- and
- an expansion unit arranged adjacent to said shall and said housing.
4 more elements
An axle module, said module including:
- a housing;
- a ring near assembly rotatably arranged within said housing;
- a shaft arranged within said ring gear assembly;
- a clutch pack arranged within said ring gear assembly;
- an inner hub rotatably fixed to said shaft, said inner hub engaging a pressure ring on one side of said pressure ring, an opposite side of said pressure ring engaging said clutch pack, said shaft having a retaining ring on one end thereof, said retaining ring engaging said inner hub;
- and
- an expansion unit arranged adjacent to said shaft and said housing.
4 more elements
An axle module, said module including:
- a housing;
- a ring gear assembly rotatably arranged within said housing;
- a shaft arranged within said ring gear assembly;
- a clutch pack arranged within said ring gear assembly;
- and
- an expansion unit arranged adjacent to said shaft and said housing, said expansion unit having a ball ramp expander, said ball ramp expander provides axial force, said ball ramp expander transfers an axial load to said shaft, said shaft transfers said axial load to an inner hub, said shaft axially moves with respect to said housing.
3 more elements
An axle module for use in a vehicle, said module including:
- a housing;
- a ring gear assembly rotatably supported within said housing;
- a pinion gear engaged with said ring gear assembly;
- a shaft arranged within said ring gear assembly;
- an inner hub rotatably fixed to said shaft;
- a clutch pack contacting said ring gear assembly and said inner hub, said clutchpack having a plurality of friction plates, a portion of said friction plates connected to said ring gear assembly and another portion of said friction plates connected to said inner hub, said connection to said ring gear assembly and said inner hub having an alternating pattern;
- a pressure ring arranged between said inner hub and said clutch pack, said inner hub transfers an axial force to said pressure ring at predetermined conditions;
- and
- an expansion unit arranged adjacent to said shaft and said housing.
6 more elements
An axle module for use in a vehicle, said module including:
- a housing;
- a ring gear assembly rotatably supported within said housing;
- a pinion gear engaged with said ring gear assembly;
- a shaft arranged within said ring gear assembly;
- an inner hub rotatably fixed to said shaft, said shaft having an orifice therethrough and a securing member arranged within said orifice, said securing member contacting said inner hub on one end;
- a clutch rack contacting said ring gear assembly and said inner hub, said clutchpack having a plurality of friction plates, a portion of said friction plates connected to said ring gear assembly and another portion of said friction plates connected to said inner hub, said connection to said ring gear assembly and said inner hub having an alternating pattern;
- a pressure ring arranged between said inner hub and said clutch pack,;
- and
- an expansion unit arranged adjacent to said shaft and said housing.
6 more elements
An axle module for use in a vehicle, said module including:
- a housing;
- a ring gear assembly rotatably supported within said housing;
- a pinion gear engaged with said ring near assembly;
- a shall arranged within said ring gear assembly;
- an inner hub rotatably fixed to said shaft, said shall having a retaining ring on one end thereof, said retaining ring engaging said inner hub;
- a clutch pack contacting said ring gear assembly and said inner hub, said clutch pack having a plurality of friction plates, a portion of said friction plates connected to said ring gear assembly and another portion of said friction plates connected to said inner hub, said connection to said ring gear assembly and said inner hub having an alternating pattern;
- a pressure ring arranged between said inner hub and said clutch pack;
- and
- an expansion unit arranged adjacent to said shall and said housing.
6 more elements
An axle module for use in a vehicle to control power transmitted to a specific wheel independently, said axle module including;
- a housing;
- a ring gear assembly rotatably supported within said housing;
- a pinion gear engaging said ring gear assembly;
- a first and second stub shaft arranged within said ring gear assembly;
- a first and second inner hub rotatably fixed to said first and second stub shaft, respectively;
- a first and second clutch pack arranged within said ring gear assembly, said first and second clutch pack contacting said first and second inner hub respectively, said first and second clutch pack having a first and second plurality of friction plates;
- a first and second thrust ring engaging said first and second inner hub and said first and second plurality of friction plates, respectively;
- a first and second ramp assembly adjacent to said housing and said first and second stub shaft, respectively, said first and second ramp assemblies transfer an axial load to said first and second stub shafts, respectively, said stub shafts transfer said axial loads to said inner hub, said stub shafts axially move with respect to said housing;
- a first and second drive motor controlling said first and second ramp assembly, respectively;
- and
- a first and second side shaft connected to said first and second stub shaft, respectively, each of said motors independently controlling power to a predetermined side shaft.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.