Axle module with axle shaft electronic management
AssigneeGKN Driveline North America, Inc.
InventorBrent Peura
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An axle module having axle shaft electronic torque management is provided. The axle module includes a housing and a differential carrier rotatably supported within the housing. A differential gear set is rotatably supported within the differential carrier and includes an integrated side gear pressure plate. A clutch pack, which contacts the differential gear seat and the differential carrier, is located within the axle module. The axle module also includes a shaft, engaged with the clutch pack, wherein the shaft is movable in an axial direction and engages the differential gear set.
Claims18
An axle module, said module including:
- a housing;
- a differential carrier rotatably supported within said housing;
- a differential gear set rotatably supported within said differential carrier, said differential gear set having an integrated side gear pressure plate;
- a clutch pack contacting said differential gear set and said differential carrier;
- a shaft connected to said clutch pack, said shaft being axially movable and engaging said differential gear set;
- an expander unit that provides an axial force;
- and
- an engagement mechanism, said engagement mechanism controls operation of said clutch pack,
- wherein said expander unit contacts a bearing on one side thereof and a transfer plate on an opposite side of said expander unit.
An axle module, said module including:
- a housing;
- a differential carrier rotatably supported within said housing;
- a differential gear set rotatably supported within said differential carrier, said differential gear set having an integrated side gear pressure plate;
- a clutch pack contacting said differential gear set and said differential carrier;
- a shaft connected to said clutch pack, said shaft being axially movable and engaging said differential gear set;
- an expander unit that provides an axial force;
- and
- an engagement mechanism, said engagement mechanism controls operation of said clutch pack,
- wherein said expander unit contacts a bearing or differential carrier on one side thereof and a side shaft joint or thrust ring on an opposite side thereof.
An axle module, said module including:
- a housing;
- a differential carrier rotatable supported within said housing;
- a differential gear set rotatable supported within said differential carrier, said differential gear set having an integrated side gear pressure plate;
- a clutch pack contacting said differential gear set and said differential carrier;
- a shaft connected to said clutch pack, said shaft being axially movable and engaging said differential gear set;
- and
- a spring between said shaft and said differential carrier, wherein said spring supplies a first axial force releasing said shaft.
An axle module for use in a vehicle having a primary drive axle and a secondary drive axle, said axle module including:
- a housing;
- a differential carrier rotatably supported within said housing;
- a ring gear secured to an outside surface of said differential carrier;
- a differential gear set rotatably supported with said differential carrier, said differential gear set having a side gear;
- a shaft arranged within said differential carrier and said housing, said shaft having an integrated side gear pressure plate connected to one end thereof, said shaft having a shoulder portion on an opposite end thereof;
- a clutch pack arranged within said differential carrier, said clutch pack having a plurality of friction plates alternatingly engaged with said shaft and said differential carrier, respectively, said differential carrier contacting said clutch pack on one side thereof, said side gear pressure plate contacting an opposite side of said clutch pack;
- a ball ramp expander unit contacting said housing or a bearing on one side and contacting said shoulder portion or a thrust ring on an opposite side thereof, said ball ramp expander unit creates an axial force that is transferred to said shaft, said shaft capable of axial movement;
- a drive motor secured to said housing, said drive motor controlling said ball ramp expander unit;
- and
- a spring arranged between said shaft and said differential carrier.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.