Automated inter-axle differential lock actuation sensing method

• US 7,152,720 B2
• Filed: 01/08/2005
• Issued: 12/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group LLC (Dana, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dana Corporation (Dana, Inc.)
• Inventors: Beverly, James A., Claussen, Stephen P., Wenstrup, Leo J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lorence, Richard M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Young, Edwin A.
• Application Number:
  US11/031,809
• Publication Number:
  US 20060154787A1
• Time in Patent Office: 717 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 192/30.00W
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/36 for driving tandem wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 23/08 for changing number of driven wheels , for switching from driving one axle to driving two or more axles B60K17/3515 takes precedence

Abstract

The present invention relates to an automatic inter-axle differential lock actuation sensing method for a vehicle having a tandem drive axle. The inter-axle differential lock actuation sensing method comprises providing a clutch locking mechanism of an inter-axle differential for a vehicle, the clutch locking mechanism having a first set of teeth in a fixed position and a second set of teeth on a sliding clutch, locating a speed sensor such that when the clutch mechanism is disengaged the sensor measures a speed of the sliding clutch, and when the clutch mechanism is fully engaged the sensor measures zero speed even though the sliding clutch continues to rotate, providing a speed of the vehicle from a vehicle data link, and using the speed sensor-speed and the vehicle speed to determine status of clutch mechanism engagement.

Claims

1. An inter-axle differential lock actuation sensing method for a vehicle having a tandem drive axle, comprising:

providing a clutch locking mechanism of an inter-axle differential for a vehicle, said clutch locking mechanism having a first set of teeth in a fixed position and a second set of teeth on a sliding clutch;

locating a speed sensor such that when said clutch mechanism is disengaged the sensor measures a speed of said sliding clutch, and when said clutch mechanism is fully engaged the sensor measures zero speed even though said sliding clutch continues to rotate;

providing a speed of said vehicle from a vehicle data link; and

using said speed sensor speed and said vehicle speed to determine status of clutch engagement.

2. The inter-axle differential lock actuation sensing method of claim 1, wherein said first set of teeth are on a helical gear.

3. The inter-axle differential lock actuation sensing method of claim 1, wherein said speed sensor is positioned above said second set of teeth, when said clutch mechanism is disengaged.

4. An inter-axle differential lock actuation sensing method comprising:

providing a clutch locking mechanism of an inter-axle differential for a vehicle, said clutch locking mechanism having a helical gear with a set of teeth in a fixed position and a sliding clutch with a set of teeth;

locating a speed sensor such that when said clutch mechanism is disengaged the sensor measures a speed of said sliding clutch, and when said clutch mechanism is fully engaged the sensor measures zero speed even though said sliding clutch continues to rotate;

providing a speed of said vehicle; and

using a microcomputer in measuring the speed from said speed sensor and said vehicle speed from a vehicle data link to determine status of clutch engagement;

wherein said speed sensor is positioned above said sliding clutch teeth, when said clutch mechanism is disengaged.