← Back to Patent Explorer
EP0548853A1 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

System for controlling torque distribution between the wheels of a common vehicle axle

Assignee: Centro Ricerche Fiat SCpA
•
Filing: 1992-12-18
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2012-12-18
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract A system (1; 31) having a pair of axle shafts (3, 4); an input shaft (2) for transmitting torque ( M ); and a differential (6) for transmitting motion from the input shaft (2) to the axle shafts (3, 4) and in turn presenting a planet carrier (7) angularly integral with the input shaft (2), and a pair of sun gears (8); the system (1) also presenting a first clutch (12) interposed between each axle shaft (3, 4) and a respective sun gear (8); a second clutch (13) interposed between each axle shaft (3, 4) and the planet carrier (7); and a device (14) for controlling the clutches (12, 13) and continuously varying distribution of the torque ( M ) between the axle shafts (3, 4).

Inventors

  • 👤 Luigi Ippolito
  • 👤 Giorgio Lupo
  • 👤 Alessandro Lorenzini

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 22:42
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H48/00; F16H48/20; F16H48/30; F16H48/32; B; B60; B60K; B60K17/00; B60K17/04; B60K17/16; B60K17/20; B60K23/00; B60K23/04; F16H48/22; F16H2048/204; F16H48/38; F16H48/42; F16H2048/423; F16H48/06; F16H48/08; F16H48/40

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim 173 words
A system (1; 31) for instantaneously controlling torque distribution between the wheels of a common vehicle axle, the system (1) comprising a pair of axle shafts (3, 4), each connected angularly integral with a respective drive wheel (5) on the vehicle; an input shaft (2) for transmitting torque ( M ); and a differential (6) for transmitting motion from said input shaft (2) to said axle shafts (3, 4); the differential (6) presenting a planet carrier (7) angularly integral with said input shaft (2), and a pair of sun gears (8); characterized by the fact that it comprises first releasable angular connecting means (12) interposed between each said axle shaft (3, 4) and a respective said sun gear (8); and second releasable angular connecting means (13) interposed between each said axle shaft (3, 4) and said planet carrier (7); control means (14) being provided for so controlling said first and second angular connecting means (12, 13) as to continuously vary distribution of said torque ( M ) between said axle shafts (3, 4).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 30 words
A system as claimed in Claim 1, characterized by the fact that said first and second angular connecting means are respectively defined by a first (12) and second (13) clutch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 54 words
A system as claimed in Claim 2, characterized by the fact that said first and second clutches (12, 13) comprise a common bell (16) angularly integral with a respective said axle shaft (3, 4); and respective hubs (17)(18) respectively connected angularly integral with a respective sun gear (8) and with said planet carrier (7).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 78 words
A system as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, characterized by the fact that, for the clutches (12, 13) of each said axle shaft (3, 4), said control means (14) comprise elastic thrust means (19) acting on the first clutch (12); a first actuator (22) acting on the first clutch (12) so as to exert a force in opposition to that exerted by said elastic means (19); and a second actuator (28) acting on the second clutch (13).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 57 words
A system as claimed in Claim 4, characterized by the fact that said control means (14) also comprise thrust means (26) for exerting on the first clutch (12) a force in opposition to that exerted by said elastic means (19), and substantially proportional to the force exerted on the second clutch (13) by said second actuator (28).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 36 words
A system as claimed in Claim 4 or 5, characterized by the fact that said elastic means (19) provide for closing respective first clutches (12), and said second actuators (28) for closing respective second clutches (13).
Claim 7
Independent Claim 40 words
A system as claimed in Claims 4 and 5, characterized by the fact that said second actuators (28) provide for closing respective said second clutches (13) and simultaneously opening respective said first clutches (12) via respective said thrust means (26).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 34 words
A system as claimed in Claim 7, characterized by the fact that each said thrust means comprises a number of second rods (26) interposed between a respective said first (12) and second (13) clutch.
Claim 9
Independent Claim 75 words
A system as claimed in Claims 4 to 8, characterized by the fact that each said clutch (12, 13) is a multiple-disk clutch, and each said actuator (22)(28) comprises an annular hydraulic piston (23)(28); each said first actuator (22) also comprising a number of first rods (25) extending between the respective hydraulic piston (23) and respective said elastic means (19) and operating in such a manner as to open the respective said first clutch (12).

References Cited (Backward Citations)

DE3545540A1 Cited
EP0241382A1 Cited
GB2210341A Cited
EP0511067A1 Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag