# US 8,739,953 B2 · Actuating assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,739,953 B2 - Document ID: US8739953B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/145,069 - Filed: 2010-01-19 - Published: 2011-11-24 - Granted: 2014-06-03 - Earliest claimed: 2009-01-19 - Assignees: GKN Driveline International GmbH - Applicants: Theodor Gassmann; Michael Schwekutsch; Mark Schmidt; Holger Seidl - Inventors: Theodor Gassmann; Michael Schwekutsch; Mark Schmidt; Holger Seidl - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8739953B2 ## CPC - F16D 48/04: providing power assistance - B60K 17/35: including arrangements for suppressing or influencing the power transfer, e.g. viscous clutches - B60K 23/0808: {for varying torque distribution between driven axles, e.g. by transfer clutch} - F16D 48/0206: {in a system with a plurality of fluid-actuated clutches} - F16D 2048/0248: {Reversible rotary pumps, i.e. pumps that can be rotated in the two directions} - F16D 2048/0281: {Complex circuits with more than two valves in series or special arrangements thereof not provided for in previous groups} - F16D 2500/1026: Hydraulic - F16D 2500/3024: Pressure - F16D 2500/7041: Position - F16D: COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES ## Abstract An actuating assembly for connecting a driving axle in the driveline of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The actuating assembly comprises a pump for generating a hydraulic pressure; a pressure accumulator which can be filled by the pump with a hydraulic fluid for generating a pre-pressure; a first hydraulic actuating unit for actuating a first coupling; a second hydraulic actuating unit for actuating a second coupling; wherein at least one of the two first or second hydraulic actuating units can be loaded by the pressure accumulator with hydraulic pressure and, after the pressure accumulator has been at least partially emptied, can be additionally loaded by the pump, wherein the associated first or second coupling can be actuated in the closing sense. Furthermore, a drive assembly having an inventive actuating assembly is also disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An actuating assembly for optionally connecting a driving axle in the driveline of a motor vehicle, comprising: a pump for generating a hydraulic pressure; a first hydraulic actuating unit which can be loaded by the pump with a hydraulic pressure against a counter force, wherein in a hydraulically loaded condition the first hydraulic actuating unit forms a pressure accumulator in which a pre-pressure is stored, by which pre-pressure a first coupling in the driveline of the motor vehicle is held in an open position wherein the first coupling is closed in a hydraulically unloaded condition of the first hydraulic actuating unit; a second hydraulic actuating unit which can be loaded with the pre-pressure stored in the first hydraulic actuating unit and which can also be loaded by the pump with hydraulic pressure, wherein by loading the second hydraulic actuating unit, a second coupling in the driveline of the motor vehicle is closed for transmitting torque. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An actuating assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first hydraulic actuating unit and the second hydraulic actuating are connected to one another via a connecting channel, wherein in the connecting channel there is provided at least one valve for opening and closing the connecting channel, wherein, by opening the at least one valve, hydraulic fluid is conveyed from the first hydraulic actuating unit to the second hydraulic actuating unit. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) An actuating assembly according to claim 1, wherein there is provided a first valve which is a multi-way valve and which is arranged between the pump and the first hydraulic actuating unit, as well as a return valve which is arranged upstream of the first valve. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An actuating assembly according to claim 1, wherein there is provided a first valve which is arranged between the pump and the first hydraulic actuating unit, as well as a second valve which is arranged between the pump and the second hydraulic actuating unit. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An actuating assembly according to claim 1, wherein when the pump is actuated in a first conveying direction, the first hydraulic actuating unit can be loaded; and that, when actuating the pump in an opposite second conveying direction, the second hydraulic actuating unit can be loaded, wherein the first hydraulic actuating unit is unloaded. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) An actuating assembly according to claim 5, wherein, when actuating the pump in the first conveying direction, the second hydraulic actuating unit is unloaded or is emptied in the opening direction of the second coupling. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An actuating assembly according claim 1, wherein the first and the second hydraulic actuating unit are designed such that, with a maximum volume flow conveyable from the first hydraulic actuating unit to the second hydraulic actuating unit, a clearance of the second coupling can at least largely be bridged. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) An actuating assembly according to claim 7, configured to generate a maximum actuating stroke at the second hydraulic actuating unit by emptying the first hydraulic actuating unit, wherein the maximum actuating stroke is configured to at least approach the clearance of the second coupling. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) An actuating assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first hydraulic actuating unit comprises a piston-cylinder unit and a first spring which loads a piston of the piston-cylinder unit against the pressure force of the pump so that the first hydraulic actuating unit has a pressure accumulating function. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) An actuating assembly according to claim 9, wherein, the first coupling can be loaded by the first spring for transmitting torque and is opened by generating a hydraulic pressure against the force of the first spring in the first hydraulic actuating unit. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) An actuating assembly according to claim 9, wherein the first hydraulic actuating unit comprises a second spring which loads the piston of the piston-cylinder unit against the pressure force of the pump and which is switched in parallel with the first spring. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) An actuating assembly according to claim 9, wherein the first hydraulic actuating unit comprises a second spring which loads the piston of the piston cylinder unit against the pressure force of the pump and which is connected in series to the first spring. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) An actuating assembly according to claim 1, wherein there is provided a third hydraulic actuating unit for actuating a third coupling, wherein the third hydraulic actuating unit is controlled via a third valve. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) An actuating assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first coupling is provided in form of a locking coupling, wherein the locking coupling can be operated between an open position in which no torque is transmitted and a closed position in which a full amount of torque is transmitted. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) An actuating assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second coupling is provided in the form of a friction coupling, wherein the torque transmissible by the friction coupling can be variably controlled by the pump. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A drive assembly for a motor vehicle with a permanently driven first driving axle and an optionally driveable second driving axle, wherein a driveline for driving the second driving axle comprises a first coupling and a second coupling, wherein, for actuating the first and the second coupling, there is provided an actuating assembly according to claim 1. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A drive assembly according to claim 16, wherein the permanently driven driving axle comprises the front axle, and wherein the optionally driveable driving axle comprises the rear axle of the motor vehicle. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) A drive assembly according to claim 16, wherein the second coupling is arranged coaxially relative to an axis of rotation of a rear axle differential in a torque flow between a rear angle drive and the rear axle differential. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) A drive assembly according to claim 16, wherein the second coupling is arranged in a sideshaft in a torque flow between a rear axle differential and a wheel. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) A drive assembly according to claim 16, wherein the second coupling is arranged coaxially relative to a propeller shaft of the motor vehicle. ### Claim 21 (depends on 16) A drive assembly according to claim 16, wherein the first coupling is arranged in a torque flow between a front axle differential and a front angle drive. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) A method of connecting a driving axle in the driveline of a motor vehicle by the actuating assembly of claim 1, the method comprising: filling the pressure accumulator with hydraulic fluid by the pump, wherein the pre-pressure is generated, and at least partially emptying the pressure accumulator, wherein the first coupling is completely closed for transmitting torque and the second coupling is at least partially closed. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The method of claim 22, wherein, after the pressure accumulator has been completely emptied, the second hydraulic actuating unit can be loaded with hydraulic pressure by the pump, for actuating the second coupling. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) The method of claim 22, wherein the pump operates bidirectionally, wherein filling the pressure accumulator takes place by actuating the pump in a first conveying direction and wherein loading the second hydraulic actuating unit takes place by actuating the pump in an opposed second conveying direction. ### Claim 25 (depends on 22) The method of claim 22, wherein the first actuating unit forms the pressure accumulator, wherein, by hydraulically loading the first actuating unit by the pump, the first coupling is opened against a spring force.