Vehicle differential including pump with variable-engagement clutch
First Claim
1. A vehicle differential assembly comprising:
- a differential driven by an input and adapted to allow differing rotational speed between a pair of outputs, the differential including a gear assembly connected to the outputs and one or more hydraulically-actuated clutches for selectively and variably coupling the outputs;
a hydraulic pump adapted to generate hydraulic fluid pressure for engagement of the one or more hydraulically-actuated clutches;
a variable-engagement clutch operatively connected to the input and the hydraulic pump such that the input selectively drives the hydraulic pump during engagement of the variable-engagement clutch to provide hydraulic fluid pressure to the one or more hydraulically-actuated clutches; and
a valve operatively connected to the hydraulic pump and the one or more hydraulically-actuated clutches to selectively or variably provide fluid pressure from the hydraulic pump to the one or more hydraulically-actuated clutches.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle differential assembly is provided that includes a differential driven by an input and adapted to allow differing rotational speed between a pair of outputs. The differential includes a gear assembly connected to the outputs and one or more hydraulically-actuated clutches for selectively and variably coupling the outputs. A hydraulic pump is adapted to generate hydraulic fluid pressure for engagement of the one or more hydraulically-actuated clutches. A variable-engagement clutch is operatively connected to the input and the hydraulic pump such that the input selectively drives the hydraulic pump during engagement of the clutch to provide hydraulic fluid pressure to the one or more hydraulically-actuated clutches. A valve operatively connected to the hydraulic pump and the one or more hydraulically-actuated clutches to selectively and variably provide fluid pressure from the hydraulic pump to the one or more hydraulically-actuated clutches. A method of controlling vehicle stability is also provided.
55 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A vehicle differential assembly comprising:
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a differential driven by an input and adapted to allow differing rotational speed between a pair of outputs, the differential including a gear assembly connected to the outputs and one or more hydraulically-actuated clutches for selectively and variably coupling the outputs;
a hydraulic pump adapted to generate hydraulic fluid pressure for engagement of the one or more hydraulically-actuated clutches;
a variable-engagement clutch operatively connected to the input and the hydraulic pump such that the input selectively drives the hydraulic pump during engagement of the variable-engagement clutch to provide hydraulic fluid pressure to the one or more hydraulically-actuated clutches; and
a valve operatively connected to the hydraulic pump and the one or more hydraulically-actuated clutches to selectively or variably provide fluid pressure from the hydraulic pump to the one or more hydraulically-actuated clutches. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of controlling stability of a vehicle comprising the steps of:
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determining rotational speed of at least inside and outside drive wheels that are rotatably-controlled by respective hydraulically-actuated clutches; and
if the rotational speed of the inside and outside drive wheel is not substantially the same, applying fluid pressure from a hydraulic pump that is selectively and variably directed by a valve to the hydraulically-actuated clutches for adjusting or vectoring torque of one of or both the inside and outside drive wheels. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification