Front to Rear Torque Vectoring Axle with Overspaced Capability for Vehicle Dynamic Control Systems
First Claim
1. An improved axle center assembly for use in an automotive vehicle having a torque producing motor, a primary set of driving wheels, a secondary set of driving wheels, and a transmission operatively coupled between the sets of driving wheels and the torque-producing motor, the improved axle center assembly coupled between the motor and the secondary set of driving wheels to regulate torque distribution between the primary and secondary sets of driving wheels, the axle center comprising:
- a torque bias coupling through which torque from the motor passes for distribution to the secondary set of driving wheels, said torque bias coupling including an input means operatively coupled to receive torque from the motor and an output means operatively coupled to deliver torque to said secondary set of driving wheels, said torque bias coupling further including a double-planet planetary gear set having first and second planet gears rigidly coupled together about a common planet carrier; and
a magnetic particle brake to regulate a transfer of torque between said input means and said output means, said magnetic particle brake configured to apply a reaction force on said common planet carrier.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A torque bias coupling (50) for proportionally transferring driving torque to a rear secondary axle (18) of a front wheel drive based all-wheel-drive vehicle platform includes a double-planetary gear set (54) organized about a common axis (X) and a magnetic particle brake (56). The magnetic particle brake (56) is operatively coupled to a planet carrier (62) of the double-planetary gear set (54) to selectively apply a rotational reaction force there to. Regulation of the rotational reaction force enables selective transfer of torque from the vehicle driving motor (6) to the rear secondary axle (18) via the torque bias coupling (50). The configuration of the double-planetary gear set (54) enables the secondary rear axle (18) to be driven in an over-speed condition relative to the front primary axle (14) in order to improve vehicle dynamics.
6 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An improved axle center assembly for use in an automotive vehicle having a torque producing motor, a primary set of driving wheels, a secondary set of driving wheels, and a transmission operatively coupled between the sets of driving wheels and the torque-producing motor, the improved axle center assembly coupled between the motor and the secondary set of driving wheels to regulate torque distribution between the primary and secondary sets of driving wheels, the axle center comprising:
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a torque bias coupling through which torque from the motor passes for distribution to the secondary set of driving wheels, said torque bias coupling including an input means operatively coupled to receive torque from the motor and an output means operatively coupled to deliver torque to said secondary set of driving wheels, said torque bias coupling further including a double-planet planetary gear set having first and second planet gears rigidly coupled together about a common planet carrier; and a magnetic particle brake to regulate a transfer of torque between said input means and said output means, said magnetic particle brake configured to apply a reaction force on said common planet carrier. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13)
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8. (canceled)
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9. (canceled)
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10. (canceled)
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14. A torque bias coupling for selectively transferring torque from an input shaft to an output shaft, comprising:
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a double-planet planetary gear set coupling the input shaft to the output shafts said double-planet planetary gear set including a first sun gear coupled to the input shaft, a second sun gear coupled to the output shaft, at least one first planet gear engaged with said first sun gear, and at least one second planet gear rigidly coupled to said at least one first planet gear on a planet carrier, said at least one second planet gear engaged with said second sun gear; a brake mechanism operatively coupled to said planetary gear set, said brake mechanism configured to apply a rotational reaction force to said planet carrier of said planetary gear set; and wherein said planetary gear set is responsive to said rotational reaction force to proportionally transfer torque from the input shaft to the output shaft. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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15. (canceled)
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16. (canceled)
Specification