Differential Or Nondifferential Planetary Combined With Differential (e.g., Two Differentials) Patents (Class 475/221)
  • Patent number: 8597150
    Abstract: A disconnectable driveline arrangement for an all-wheel drive vehicle includes a power take-off unit having a disconnect mechanism, and a drive module having a torque transfer device and a limited slip clutch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente
  • Publication number: 20130310209
    Abstract: A disconnectable driveline arrangement for an all-wheel drive vehicle includes a power take-off unit having a disconnect mechanism, and a drive module having a torque transfer device and a limited slip clutch assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente
  • Publication number: 20130303326
    Abstract: A disconnectable driveline arrangement for an all-wheel drive vehicle includes a power take-off unit having a disconnect mechanism, a rear drive module having a torque transfer device providing a disconnect function, a speed synchronization function and a torque biasing function, and a control system for controlling actuation of the disconnect mechanism and the torque transfer device. The power take-off unit and the rear drive module can each be equipped with a two-speed range shift unit which, under the control of the control system, permits establishment of high and low speed drive connections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: James Preston Downs, Paul Joseph Valente
  • Patent number: 8579751
    Abstract: A powertrain has an electric torque converter that includes an electric motor/generator, and a differential gear set having a first member, a second member, and a third member. The powertrain includes a layshaft transmission having a first input member connected to the first member, a second input member connected to the second member, and having a plurality of selectively engageable torque-transmitting mechanisms each of which is selectively engageable to establish a different respective speed ratio through the transmission. At least one controller is provided, and the motor/generator is connected for common rotation with the third member and is controlled by said at least one controller to establish a speed of the third member that permits synchronous engagement and disengagement of the torque-transmitting mechanisms to shift from one of the respective speed ratios to a successive one of the respective speed ratios. A method of controlling the powertrain is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Andrew W. Phillips
  • Patent number: 8562479
    Abstract: A tandem axle having two drivable axles, each axle including a differential gearing with a drive input gearwheel, drivable by a shaft, as a differential gearing input and with two drive input semi-axles driving the wheels of the axle using axle shaft wheels. The wheels of the first axle are permanently positively coupled to the drive input gearwheel of the axle. An activatable distributor wheel is seated on a drive input shaft of the drive input gearwheel of the first axle. The distributor wheel meshes with a through drive shaft wheel which is arranged in a rotationally rigid fashion on a through drive shaft. The output of the through drive shaft is coupled to the input-side drive input gearwheel of the second axle by means of intermediate members. Switchable clutches are arranged in the second axle between the axle shaft wheels and their adjacent wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Johann Hamperl, Michael Helfrich, Uwe Mierisch, Ferdinand Mulzer
  • Patent number: 8562476
    Abstract: A transmission for an engine or motor with a reduced package size and increased efficiency comprising: an input sprocket, an output sprocket, a chain, and a planetary gear set. The output sprocket is drivingly connecting to the input sprocket through the chain. The output sprocket has a hollow center portion that receives the sun gear of the planetary gear set. The planetary gear set also includes at least two planet gears meshed with the sun gear which are mounted to a fixed planet carrier for driving a differential with a ring gear portion. When the input sprocket is rotated in a first direction, the chain drives the output sprocket and the sun gear in the first direction, and the sun gear drives the planet gears to rotate in a second direction, opposite the first direction, driving the ring gear portion and differential in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Roger T. Simpson, Mark E. Michaels
  • Publication number: 20130274055
    Abstract: A four-wheel drive vehicle includes: a driving force transmission system which transmits torque of a drive source to front wheels and rear wheels via gear mechanisms; a clutch provided in the driving force transmission system and capable of controlling an amount of the torque transmitted to the rear wheels; and a pressing mechanism which presses the clutch by transforming a part of the torque transmitted to the rear wheels into axial thrust. In the driving force transmission system, gear ratios of the gear mechanisms are set such that a direction of a differential rotation between a drive shaft connected to an input side of the clutch and a drive shaft connected to an output side of the clutch is not reversed even when a steered angle of the front wheels changes to a maximum value while the four-wheel drive vehicle is traveling forwards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro Horaguchi, Akihiro Ohno, Hiroshi Takuno, Takashi Hosokawa
  • Patent number: 8550950
    Abstract: A gearbox assembly includes a yoke operably connectable to an input shaft and rotatable about a stationary gear located at a central axis. A planetary gear is rotatably located in the yoke and is meshable with the stationary gear such that rotation of the yoke about the stationary gear drives rotation of the planetary gear, via the mesh between the planetary gear and the stationary gear, about a pin axis. An intermediate gear is located substantially coaxially with the planetary gear and is operably connected to the planetary gear such that rotation of the planetary gear about the pin axis drives rotation of the intermediate gear about the pin axis. At least one output gear is located at the central axis and is operably meshed to the intermediate gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventor: Guthrie Bagdonis
  • Patent number: 8544588
    Abstract: A system for transmitting rotary power to the wheels of a motor vehicle includes an input, a planetary final drive connected driveably to the input and including a first output that is driven at a speed that is slower than a speed of the input, and a inter-wheel planetary differential driveably connected to the first output for splitting torque carried by the first output between a second output connected driveably to a first wheel of a first wheel set and a third output connected driveably to a second wheel of the first wheel set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: David A. Janson
  • Publication number: 20130252777
    Abstract: A double differential device for a vehicle which is of compact construction. The device has a longitudinal differential section with a longitudinal differential input, a longitudinal differential output, an axle output. It also has a transverse differential section with a transverse differential input and two driven outputs. The longitudinal differential output is connected with the transverse differential input, the longitudinal differential section and the transverse differential section are each a planetary spur wheel gear and are arranged coaxially with a common main axis of rotation. The longitudinal differential section has a longitudinal differential planet carrier, which carries a longitudinal differential planet set, and the transverse differential section has a transverse differential planet carrier, which carries a first and a second transverse differential planet set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thorsten Biermann, Harald Martini, Richard Grabenbauer
  • Publication number: 20130244825
    Abstract: Various drive axle systems are described each having a bevel gear system associated with the front axle system that is designed to minimize the angle of the inter-axle driveline with respect to the rear axle pinion gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventor: James F. Ziech
  • Patent number: 8523727
    Abstract: A multi ratio drive including a first drive chain having a first drive chain engaged state and a first drive chain disengaged state; and a second drive chain having a second drive chain engaged state and a second drive chain disengaged state. The first drive chain drives the axle with a first gear ratio between the drive shaft and the axle when the first drive chain is in the first drive chain engaged state and the second drive chain is in the second drive chain disengaged state; the second drive chain drives the axle with a second gear ratio between the drive shaft and the axle when the second drive chain is in the second drive chain engaged state and the first drive chain is in the first drive chain disengaged state; and the first gear ratio is different from the second gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Inventor: Michael L. Valesh
  • Patent number: 8523738
    Abstract: A method of shifting a power distribution unit for a vehicle from a first operating state to a second operating state is provided. The method includes the step of adjusting a rotational speed of a portion of a second axle assembly using a clutching device to impart energy to a lubricant within the second axle assembly. A controller in communication with a power source of the vehicle adjusts an operating condition of the power source to facilitate moving the clutching device. The power distribution unit includes an inter-axle differential capable being placed in a locked condition by the clutching device and of accommodating a rotational difference between a first output gear and a second output gear with the inter-axle differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy J. Morscheck, Kenneth E. Cooper, James F. Ziech, Richard A. Nellums, Steven J. Wesolowski, Donald J. Remboski
  • Patent number: 8506439
    Abstract: The invention relates to an axle drive device for an axle of a motor vehicle, with a drive assembly and a differential. Here, it is provided that the drive assembly is in the form of an electrical drive assembly and the differential has at least one override unit. The invention furthermore relates to a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Sebastian Strasser, Ralf Schwarz
  • Patent number: 8500594
    Abstract: A differential assembly and method of manufacturing such an assembly are provided. A method for manufacturing a differential assembly includes forming a first portion of a differential carrier; forming a second portion of the differential carrier; securing the first portion to the second portion to form the differential carrier; forming a differential housing; and securing the differential carrier to the differential housing to form a differential assembly. A sintering process may be used to form the first portion and second portion of the differential carrier, and the first and second portions may be secured together by a brazing process. The forming of the first and second portions of the differential carrier and the securing of the first and second portions to form a differential carrier may be achieved by a sinter-brazing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Metaldyne Company LLC
    Inventors: Michael Sefcik, Jeff Lubben, Robert Veldman
  • Publication number: 20130172145
    Abstract: A transmission system including a housing; a rotor supported by the housing and rotably mounted in the housing. The rotor carrying a hub, the rotor being supported in the housing by an outer tapered roller veering toward the rotor hub and an inner tapered roller bearing away from the rotor hub. The rotor having a larger diameter at the outer bearing that at the inner tapered bearing; and a single first stage compound differential planetary including an input sun gear driven by the rotor and a plurality of free planets. The single first stage compound differential planetary including an inner annular gear fixed to the rotor shaft, the compound differential planetary gear meshing the plurality of free planets with the fixed annular gears on one end and with output ring gears on the opposite end with two attached stiff rings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventor: George Dimitri Mourani
  • Patent number: 8469854
    Abstract: A disconnectable driveline arrangement for an all-wheel drive vehicle includes a power take-off unit having a disconnect mechanism, a rear drive module having a torque transfer device and a limited slip clutch assembly, and a control system for controlling actuation of the disconnect mechanism, the torque transfer device and the limited slip clutch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James Preston Downs, Paul Joseph Valente
  • Patent number: 8419582
    Abstract: A dual-clutch group transmission having splitter, main and range groups. The range group is a planetary transmission with a ring gear, a sun gear and planetary gears that are supported by a carrier. Inner and outer transmission input shafts are connected to a respective first and second clutch. A main transmission shaft and shifting elements for engaging gears or forming frictional connections. Power-gearshifts, involving a shift of the range group, are enabled because the inner input shaft can be directly connected, via a shift element, to the main shaft. A hollow shaft extends coaxially over the main shaft and supports a loose wheel of a forward gear of the main group. The wheel can be rotationally fixed, via a shift element, to the hollow shaft which can be connected to the main shaft and the carrier by respective shifting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Stefan Renner
  • Patent number: 8403796
    Abstract: A drive force adjustment apparatus includes a differential gear, a motor, a first gear mechanism and a second gear mechanism. The input element, the first output element, the second output element, the motor input element, the fixed element, and the connecting element are expressed as points I, R, L, M, F and C on a graph, an ordinate of which shows the number of revolutions and a abscissa of which shows relative ratios of the number of revolutions of the elements. In one example, length of L-I is equal to length of R-I, I is located between L and R on a straight line L-R, C is located between L and M on a straight line L-M, and C is located between F and I on a straight line F-I.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomo Kato, Kaoru Sawase, Yuichi Ushiroda
  • Patent number: 8403798
    Abstract: A final drive mechanism includes a pinion, a gear meshing with the pinion, a differential mechanism, and a first gearset including an input driveably connected to the gear, and an output driveably connected to the differential, rotating slower than a speed of the gear, and rotating in a direction opposite the direction of the gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David A. Janson, Jeffrey E. Maurer, Laurence A. Deutsch
  • Patent number: 8398520
    Abstract: A drive axle assembly that may include an input shaft, an output shaft, a lock collar, and a pinion. The actuator unit may move the lock collar between a first position in which the torque is transmitted from the input shaft to the pinion and a second position in which torque is not transmitted to the pinion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Arvinmeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Marco Bassi, Arnaldo Freitas Camarão, Egidio Miguel Gomes Correia, Juscelino dos Reis, José Renan da Silva, Todd R. Ekonen
  • Patent number: 8388486
    Abstract: A vehicle drive train includes a first power disconnection device and a first driveline for transferring torque to a first set of wheels. A second driveline for transferring torque to a second set of wheels includes a differential gearset having an output coupled to a second power disconnection device. A hypoid gearset is positioned within the second driveline in a power path between the first and second power disconnection devices. The second power disconnection device includes a clutch having a first set of clutch plates fixed for rotation with the differential gearset output. The clutch further includes a second set of clutch plates fixed for rotation with a shaft adapted to transfer torque to one of the wheels of the second set of wheels. A valve limits a flow of coolant to the clutch when the second power disconnection device operates in a disconnected mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Ekonen, Johannes Quehenberger
  • Publication number: 20130053203
    Abstract: A transmission device for an automotive vehicle, which device includes a first spur gear transmission section, a second spur gear transmission section and a plurality of double planet pins. The double planet pins extend from a first side section to a second side section. Each of the double planet pins carries one first planet of the first set of planets and one second planet of the second set of planets. A plurality of supporting pins are also provided, each of the supporting pins carrying one third planet of the third set of planets. The supporting pins extend from the first side section to the second side section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Tomas Smetana, Ramon Jurjanz
  • Patent number: 8348800
    Abstract: A vehicle power transmission device includes: an input shaft; a planetary gear type speed reducer disposed concentrically to the input shaft to reduce and output rotation input to the input shaft; and a differential gear device disposed adjacently to the input shaft in a shaft center direction, the differential gear device being rotationally driven by the speed reducer to transmit a drive force to a pair of axles disposed on the shaft center while allowing a rotational difference between the axles, the speed reducer including a sun gear that is fit with a shaft end portion of the input shaft in a relatively non-rotatable manner, the sun gear being prevented from relatively moving toward the differential gear device by an annular snap ring fit and attached to an annular snap ring groove formed on an outer circumferential surface of the shaft end portion of the input shaft on the differential gear device side of the sun gear, the differential gear device including a differential case having a cylindrical end po
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Aw Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Tanaka, Rikiya Kubo, Yoshihiko Sasaki, Hiroshi Hamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8323142
    Abstract: A multi-speed transmission includes a first input shaft, a second input shaft, a first friction engagement mechanism, a second friction engagement mechanism, a first synchromesh mechanism, a second synchromesh mechanism, and a third friction engagement mechanism. A differential mechanism includes a first rotational element, a second rotational element, and a third rotational element. The first rotational element is coupled to a first countershaft. The second rotational element is coupled to a second countershaft. The third rotational element is coupled to an output member. A third synchromesh mechanism is capable of coupling a driving gear of a first gear train to the first input shaft or is capable of coupling a driven gear of the first gear train to the output member so as to enable power to be transferred between the first input shaft and the output member using the first gear train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Masumoto
  • Patent number: 8287416
    Abstract: A transmission includes an input member, an output member, an intermediate member, and a planetary gear set, all of which are coaxial. A first and a second layshaft are arranged to define a second axis of rotation and a third axis of rotation, respectively. At least three sets of intermeshing gears are provided, some of which are arranged to transfer torque from the input member to the layshafts, and another of which is arranged to transfer torque from the layshafts to the intermediate member via engagement of different respective ones of seven torque-transmitting mechanisms. The seven torque-transmitting mechanisms are engagable in different combinations to establish up to eight forward speed ratios and a reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Filippovich Kraynev, Vladimir Konstantinovich Astashev, Konstantin Borisovich Salamandra, Madhusudan Raghavan
  • Publication number: 20120238394
    Abstract: A powertrain with a disconnecting rear drive axle generally includes a prime mover including an output that rotates about a rotational axis. A transmission includes an output that rotates about a rotational axis. The rotational axes of the outputs are substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the powertrain. A front driveline is operable to direct rotary power from the prime mover to front vehicle wheels. A rear driveline includes a propeller shaft that provides rotary power to a first shaft member and a second shaft member through a pinion and a ring gear. The first shaft member and the second shaft are operable to connect to rear vehicle wheels. A power switching mechanism has an engaged condition and a disengaged condition. The power switching mechanism is operable to direct the rotary power from the transmission to the rear driveline in the engaged condition. A torque transfer device has an engaged condition and a disengaged condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 8256558
    Abstract: A power take-off support portion, including a shaft hole and an outer side surface formed around the shaft hole, is formed on a transaxle housing. The outer side surface of the power take-off support portion is shaped to fit a power take-off casing supporting a power take-off shaft in a first direction. A power take-off casing includes a power take-off main casing member and a base casing member joined to each other. The base casing member is formed with an inner side surface and an outer side surface. The inner side surface and the outer side surface of the base casing member are shaped so that the power take-off shaft supported by the power take-off main casing member is oriented in a second direction different from the first direction when the inner side surface of the base casing member is fitted to the outer side surface of the power take-off support portion, and the outer side surface of the base casing member is fitted to the inner side surface of the power take-off main casing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Hasegawa, Shuji Nishimoto
  • Patent number: 8246502
    Abstract: A variable ratio drive assembly (10) including: a planetary gear device (13) having an input shaft (15), an output shaft (17), with the shafts having a common rotational axis (21), an input gear (16) attached to the input shaft, an output gear (18) attached to the output shaft, a carriage (20) mounted for rotation about said axis, at least one planetary gear (19) meshed with the input gear and output gear, the planetary gear being rotatably mounted in the carriage, a ring gear (23) fixed to the carriage so as to be rotated about said axis, a pump gear (24) meshingly engaged with the ring gear, a pump device (51) drivingly connected to the pump gear and restriction means to control the flow so that said pump device (51) applies a torque to said pump gear to control rotation of said ring gear and therefore rotation of said output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Inventors: Antony Richard Esplin, Raymond Noel Rogers
  • Patent number: 8214117
    Abstract: A driving force controlling apparatus includes a driving force controller configured to determine a state of a road surface. A driving force controller is configured to control a driving force of a vehicle based on the road surface state. A rear-wheel speed sensor is configured to detect a rear-wheel speed. A low-friction-coefficient road surface determining device is configured to determine whether the road surface is a low-friction-coefficient road surface using the rear-wheel speed on a predetermined condition. A determination prohibition device is configured to prohibit the low-friction-coefficient road surface determining device from determining whether the road surface is a low-friction-coefficient road surface, if (a) the rear-wheel speed sensor is abnormal, or if (b) a predetermined time has elapsed from when a shift range is changed from a reverse range to a drive range and/or (c) a gear position has become greater than or equal to a predetermined gear position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Ishikawa, Makoto Kobayashi, Takahito Fujita
  • Patent number: 8202187
    Abstract: A crank-CVT transmission which has a freewheel device connected to an output shaft of the transmission. The device selectively enables and blocks a relative rotation between the device and the output shaft. The transmission further has a switching unit adapted to switch the device and an internal shaft, which can be connected to the output shaft and by a connecting element to a differential. The internal shaft can be displaced in the axial direction of the output shaft. The transmission further has an actuator interacting with the switching unit and adapted to initiate the switch of the device. The actuator has a first mechanism adapted to displace the internal shaft in the axial direction, disconnecting the internal shaft from the differential a second mechanism adapted to drive the switching unit. The second mechanism is coupled to the first mechanism and is driven after the first mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Laszlo Man
  • Patent number: 8182386
    Abstract: A transmission device with at least two output shafts and at least two multi-shaft planetary gearsets that are actively connected with one another. A shaft of a planetary gearset can be actively connected with an output shaft. In addition, a shifting mechanism, located between the two output shafts, shifts between a first power path or a second power path. In one of the planetary gearsets, torque from an electric machine can be transmitted along either the first or the second power path. In the first power path, torque from the electric machine is transmitted to the two output shafts in equal parts and with the same sign. In the second power path, torque is transmitted to the two output shafts in equal parts but with opposite signs. The planetary gearset, in the area of which the torque from the electric machine can be transmitted, is a simple negative planetary gearset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Thomas Rosemeier, Bernd-Robert Hohn, Christoph Pelchen
  • Patent number: 8177672
    Abstract: A driving-force transmitting device includes a first disengaging mechanism that disengages a driving force from an engine to a driving-force transmitting unit and a second disengaging mechanism having a synchronizing mechanism that disengages the driving force from a driving-force transmitting unit to a right-rear-wheel driving shaft. A change gear ratio between front wheels and rear wheels is constructed so that a driving-force transmitting unit side of the first disengaging mechanism rotates at a speed higher than that of an opposing side at the time of completion of synchronization of the second disengaging mechanism. In switching from a two-wheel drive mode to a four-wheel drive mode, synchronization of the second disengaging mechanism first starts to increase the rotation speed of the driving-force transmitting unit, and next connects the first disengaging mechanism when a rotation speed of the driving-force transmitting unit side of the first disengaging mechanism matches that of an opposing side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Univance Corporation
    Inventors: Tadahiko Kato, Toshiyuki Miyachi
  • Patent number: 8152679
    Abstract: The invention relates to rotary units and rotary mechanisms that are suitable for use in numerous applications. Rotary units typically include rotational components that are configured to rotate. In some embodiments, for example, multiple rotary units are assembled in rotary mechanisms such that neighboring pairs of rotational components counter-rotate or contra-rotate relative to one another during operation of the rotary mechanisms. Rotational components generally include one or more implements that are structured to perform or effect one or more types of work as the rotational components rotate relative to one another in a given rotary mechanism. In certain embodiments, implements are configured to rotate and/or to effect the movement of other components as rotational components rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Inventor: Christopher C. Sappenfield
  • Patent number: 8152678
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a hybrid differential gear device achieving the small and light devices as a whole and easy assembling of a differential case. A hybrid differential gear device has a first differential gear mechanism 2 and a second differential gear mechanism 3. The first differential gear mechanism 2 has a plurality of planetary gears 5 as an input element, a sun gear 6 engaging with the plural planetary gears 5 as a first output element, and an internal gear engaging with the plural planetary gears 5 as a second output element. The second differential gear mechanism 3 has side gears 14R, 14L connected respectively to a right and a left front tire wheel, pinion gears 12, 13 engaging with the side gears 14R, 14L, and a pinion gear shaft 15 supporting rotatably the pinion gears 12, 13. The pinion gear shaft 15 is supported non-rotatably and movably to a direction of a rotational axis of a differential case 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Noriyuki Fujii, Makoto Nishiji
  • Publication number: 20110319213
    Abstract: A vehicle drive train for transferring torque to first and second sets of wheels includes a first driveline adapted to transfer torque to the first set of wheels and a first power disconnection device. A second driveline is adapted to transfer torque to the second set of wheels and includes a second power disconnection device. A hypoid gearset is positioned within one of the first driveline and the second driveline in a power path between the first and second power disconnection devices. The hypoid gearset is selectively disconnected from being driven by the first driveline and the second driveline when the first and second power disconnection devices are operated in a disconnected, non-torque transferring, mode. At least one of the first and second power disconnection devices includes an active dry friction clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: Magna Powertrain of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Ekonen, Johannes Quehenberger
  • Patent number: 8083625
    Abstract: A driving force transmission device is provided. The device includes: a first differential unit and a second differential unit. The first differential unit includes: first and second input shafts connected to a first motor and a second motor, respectively, and a first output shaft connected to a first driven member. The second differential unit includes: third and fourth input shafts connected to the first motor and the second motor, respectively, and a second output shaft connected to a second driven member. An angular speed of the first output shaft is a sum of a times a first angular speed of the first motor and b times the second angular speed of a second motor. An angular speed of the second output shaft is a sum of c times the first angular speed and d times the second angular speed. a, b, c and d satisfy a relation of ad?bc?0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kohei Terada
  • Publication number: 20110224044
    Abstract: A vehicle driveline with an axle assembly having an input member, a first output member, a second output member and a power distribution system that includes a transmission and a differential. The differential has first and second differential outputs. The first differential output is coupled directly to the first output member. The transmission is configured to control rotary power transmitted through the differential to the first and second output members. The axle assembly is operable in a first mode, which has no effect on a torque transmitted from the second differential output to the second output member, a second mode, which reduces the torque that is transmitted from the second differential output to the second output member, and a third mode that increases the torque that is transmitted from the second differential output to the second output member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventor: Winston Platt
  • Patent number: 8016576
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vehicle transmission with fluid pump having a recirculation circuit. The recirculation circuit is configured to direct fluid from an outlet of the pump to an inlet during pump cycling. A method of manufacturing a fluid pump for use in a vehicle transmission is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Bradley R. Heuver
  • Patent number: 8012057
    Abstract: A drive assembly for a motor vehicle generally consisting of a first planetary gear set including a rim gear drivingly connected to an input shaft, a planetary gear carrier mounted on a first output shaft and a sun gear mounted on a second output shaft; a second planetary gear set including a planetary gear carrier mounted on the second output shaft and a planetary gear set drivingly connected to the planetary gear carrier of the first planetary gear set; and a selectively engergizabe electric motor including a rotor mounted on the sun gear of the second planetary gear set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventor: Christian Meixner
  • Patent number: 8007391
    Abstract: An orthogonal axis gear, a planetary gear reduction mechanism portion, and a differential gear mechanism portion are arranged along an axial center direction of left and right output shafts. The planetary gear reduction mechanism portion is constituted such that a sun gear thereof is provided as a continuation of a crown gear of the orthogonal axis gear, a ring gear thereof is fixed to a differential case, and a planetary carrier thereof serves as an output. Further, the differential gear mechanism portion employs a planetary gear mechanism and is constituted such that a ring gear of the planetary gear mechanism is provided as a continuation of the planetary carrier of the planetary gear reduction mechanism portion, a planetary carrier thereof is provided as a continuation of the left side output shaft, and a sun gear thereof is provided as a continuation of the right side output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takaharu Kikura, Hiromi Hirase
  • Patent number: 7993234
    Abstract: A transmission and a motor or non-motor type transport device including a cross-coupling power train using the transmission, such as chainless bicycle or wagon with two or four wheels are disclosed. The transmission includes a coarse adjustment gearshift of internal gear type and a fine adjustment gearshift of differential gear type which are mounted on a main shaft to change the speed and are selectively connected to each other by a shift lever to provide low-speed rotation and high-speed rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Shingu Auto Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jong-Dae Kim
  • Patent number: 7988583
    Abstract: A final reduction gear device including an orthogonal axis gear and a speed reduction mechanism portion employing a planetary gear is provided. A radial bearing, more specifically a cylindrical roller bearing, having a large radial load capacity is disposed between a bevel ring gear of the orthogonal axis gear and a differential case. A thrust bearing, more specifically a thrust ball bearing or a thrust roller bearing, having a large axial load capacity is disposed between an axial end portion of a sun gear, and an inner race side of the radial bearing and the side of a fitting portion of the differential case, to which the inner race is fitted. A thrust bearing, more specifically a thrust ball bearing or a thrust roller bearing, having a large axial load capacity is disposed between the bevel ring gear and a planetary carrier of the speed reduction mechanism portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiromi Hirase
  • Patent number: 7918757
    Abstract: A drive unit includes a gearset alternately producing forward and reverse drive, an inter-axle differential dividing torque at an output of the gearset between first and second wheel sets, and an inter-wheel differential dividing torque transmitted to the first wheel set differentially between wheels comprising the first wheel set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: David A. Janson
  • Publication number: 20110053727
    Abstract: A planetary gear transmission mechanism includes an input shaft, an input bevel gear connecting to the input shaft, four planetary bevel gears meshed with the input bevel gear, an output gear driven by the planetary bevel gears, a stationary bevel gear meshed with the planetary bevel gears, and four bearing modules. The output gear evenly defines four through holes along one axis. Each planetary bevel gear is received in one through hole and rotatably connected to the output gear. The rotation axis of each planetary bevel gear is substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis of the output gear. The stationary bevel gear meshes with the planetary bevel gears. The input bevel gear and the stationary bevel gear are positioned on opposite sides of the output gear respectively. The bearing modules are received in the through holes respectively, and each bearing module rotatably supports one planetary bevel gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY(ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO.,LTD.
    Inventors: GUO-QING ZHANG, XIAO-MING XU
  • Publication number: 20110045932
    Abstract: The present invention relates a mechanical differential actuator for interacting with a mechanical load. The mechanical differential actuator comprises first and second semi-active sub-actuators, a velocity source and first and second mechanical differentials having three interaction ports each. The first mechanical differential includes a first interaction port coupled to the velocity source, a second interaction port and a third interaction port coupled to the first semi-active sub-actuator. The second mechanical differential includes a first interaction port coupled to the velocity source, a second interaction port and a third interaction port coupled to the second semi-active sub-actuator. Finally, the second interaction ports of the first and second mechanical differentials are coupled together to form an output which is configured so as to be coupled to the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: Societe De Commercialisation Des Produits De La Recherche Appliquee-Socpra
    Inventors: Philippe Fauteux, Michel Lauria, Marc-Antoine Legault, François Michaud, Marc-André Lavoie
  • Publication number: 20110045931
    Abstract: A hybrid transmission is configured to transfer mechanical power to an output member and includes an input member, an output member, and a transmission case circumscribing first and second differential gear sets, each differential gear set including a plurality of meshingly engaged rotatable elements. The first differential gear set is configured with four nodes for transferring mechanical power, and the second differential gear set is configured with three nodes for transferring mechanical power. Two of the four nodes of the first differential gear set are continuously interconnected to two of the three nodes of the second differential gear set. A first torque transfer clutch is configured to selectively connect the input member to an internal combustion engine. First and second brake devices are configured to selectively interconnect elements of the first and second differential gear sets, the transmission case, the input member, and the output member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Madhusudan Raghavan, Alan G. Holmes
  • Patent number: 7867125
    Abstract: In one aspect, a real wheel drive apparatus is provided for a four wheel drive hybrid electric vehicle includes: a motor generator for driving rear wheels; a reduction gear set for reducing an output speed of the motor generator and transmitting the reduced output speed; a differential gear set interposed between the reduction gear set and right and left wheel shafts of the rear wheels and a clutch unit interposed between the differential gear set and the wheel shaft to perform a differential limiting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Yeon Ho Kim, Wan-Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 7828686
    Abstract: A yaw drive assembly for a rotatable system includes an input shaft configured to receive a torque from a yaw drive motor coupled within a body of the rotatable system, wherein the torque facilitates rotating the rotatable system about a yaw axis. The yaw drive assembly includes at least two output shafts configured to receive the torque and transmit a rotational yaw force to the rotatable system, and a differential gear stage operatively coupled to the two output shafts, wherein the differential gear stage includes a differential planetary gear configured to drive a pinion coupled to each of the two output shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Nirmal Kumar Aiyakkannu
  • Publication number: 20100248888
    Abstract: A tandem axle having two drivable axles, each axle including a differential gearing with a drive input gearwheel, drivable by a shaft, as a differential gearing input and with two drive input semi-axles driving the wheels of the axle using axle shaft wheels. The wheels of the first axle are permanently positively coupled to the drive input gearwheel of the axle. An activatable distributor wheel is seated on a drive input shaft of the drive input gearwheel of the first axle. The distributor wheel meshes with a through drive shaft wheel which is arranged in a rotationally rigid fashion on a through drive shaft. The output of the through drive shaft is coupled to the input-side drive input gearwheel of the second axle by means of intermediate members. Switchable clutches are arranged in the second axle between the axle shaft wheels and their adjacent wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Johann Hamperl, Michael Helfrich, Uwe Mierisch, Ferdinand Mulzer