Torque distribution device

Abstract

A differential drive that includes a rotatably driven differential housing supported in a housing. The differential drive further includes a differential gear set arranged and supported in the differential housing. The differential drive also includes a torque distribution device adjacent to a differential gear set. The torque distribution device connects a differential side shaft gear with one side shaft. The torque distribution device is arranged to control the torque between a front axle and a rear axle of a motor vehicle.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A differential drive for use on a vehicle, said drive including: 
 a rotatably driven differential housing supported in a housing;    a differential gear set arranged and supported in said differential housing; and    a torque distribution device adjacent to said differential gear set, said torque distribution device connects one of the differential side shaft gears with a side shaft, said torque distribution device arranged to control torque between a front axle and a rear axle of the vehicle.    
     
     
         2 . The differential drive of  claim 1  wherein said differential gear set includes two side shaft gears arranged and supported in said differential housing.  
     
     
         3 . The differential drive of  claim 2  wherein said differential gear set further includes at least two differential gears which engage said side shaft gears and are rotatable supported in said differential housing.  
     
     
         4 . The differential drive of  claim 1  wherein said differential gear set obtains a speed difference between said front and rear axle and between a left and a right wheel of said rear axle at a predetermined time.  
     
     
         5 . The differential drive of  claim 1  wherein said torque distribution device includes a clutch pack, said clutch pack runs with axle speed and provides a torque transfer to a first side shaft.  
     
     
         6 . The differential drive of  claim 5  wherein a second side shaft gear is driven with said same torque via said differential gear set.  
     
     
         7 . The differential drive of  claim 6  wherein a differential gear operates between said first and said second side shaft gears, said differential gear allows vehicle wheels to spin freely.  
     
     
         8 . The differential drive of  claim 6  further including a second clutch pack engaged with said second side shaft gear and said differential housing.  
     
     
         9 . The differential drive of  claim 8  wherein said second clutch pack provides a side to side locking function.  
     
     
         10 . The differential drive of  claim 1  wherein said torque distribution device includes a clutch pack, a pin for engaging said clutch pack, a ball ramp mechanism which engages said pin opposite said clutch pack, and an electric motor which engages said ball ramp mechanism.  
     
     
         11 . The differential drive of  claim 10  wherein said ball ramp mechanism is integrated in said housing.  
     
     
         12 . The differential drive of  claim 10  wherein said ball ramp mechanism is attached to said differential housing without any added load on bearings.  
     
     
         13 . The differential drive of  claim 1  further including friction plates adjoining said side shaft gear and said differential housing to create a side to side locking effect.  
     
     
         14 . The differential drive of  claim 1  further including friction plates adjoining a second side shaft gear and said differential housing to create a side to side locking effect.  
     
     
         15 . The differential drive of  claim 13  wherein number of said friction plates used to determine a locking ratio between said front axle and said rear axle and side shaft to side shaft.  
     
     
         16 . The differential drive of  claim 1  wherein said torque distribution device combines front to rear and side to side locking features.  
     
     
         17 . An improved torque distribution device for use on a vehicle drive train system, having an engine, a transaxle, a front and a rear differential, a propeller shaft connecting the front and rear differential, a right and left side shaft extending from each of the front and rear differentials, said improved torque distribution device comprising: 
 the rear differential having a differential gear set, said torque distribution device engaged with said differential gear set within said rear differential housing;    said torque distribution device including a friction clutch pack engaged with one of a side shaft gear and a side shaft, said clutch pack runs with axle speed and provides torque transfer between said front and rear differentials.    
     
     
         18 . The torque distribution device of  claim 17  further including a second clutch pack in contact with a side shaft gear and said rear differential housing, said second clutch pack provides a locking function to the left and right side shafts of the rear differential.  
     
     
         19 . The torque distribution device of  claim 17  combining a front to rear and left to right side shaft locking features in a single unit.  
     
     
         20 . A method of controlling the transfer of torque between a front and rear axle of a vehicle, said method including the steps of: 
 locating a torque distribution device adjacent to a differential gear set in a differential housing;    connecting one of a differential side shaft gear to a side shaft via a clutch arrangement; and    controlling torque transfer between the front and rear axles by said differential side shaft gear.