Methods of controlling a tandem axle assembly in a vehicle, the tandem axle assembly including an inter-axle differential (IAD), one or more side gears, and a front tandem axle assembly having a pair of front tandem axle half shafts selectively connected to a pair of front tandem axle wheel hub assemblies. When a determined speed of the vehicle is greater or equal to a predetermined speed, the IAD may be locked, the tandem axle wheel hub assemblies may be disconnected from their respective tandem axle shafts, and/or the IAD may be moved out of engagement with the one or more side gears. When a determined speed of the vehicle is less than a predetermined speed, the IAD may be unlocked, the tandem axle wheel hub assemblies may be connected to their respective tandem axle shafts, and/or the IAD may be engaged with the one or more side gears.

A device and method for operating a multi-axle powertrain for a motor vehicle, with a first axle being permanently in operative connection and a second axle being at least temporarily in operative connection by a drive device via a clutch coupling. It is provided that, when the second axle is decoupled from the drive device and the starting clutch is disengaged, an expected wheel force is predictively ascertained. The determination of the wheel force takes into account a torque caused by a mass moment of inertia of the drive device, and the second axle is coupled with the drive device if the expected wheel force surpasses a maximum wheel force.

A device and a method for operating a multi-axle drive train for a motor vehicle. A first axle and a second axle are operatively connected, at least temporarily, to a drive device. When the second axle is decoupled from the drive device and a request for multi-axle drive with a first value is present, the second axle is coupled to the drive device only when a noise-masking event occurs, or when the second axle is coupled to the drive device and the request for multi-axle drive is absent, the second axle is decoupled from the drive device only when the noise-masking event occurs.

A differential apparatus includes a differential mechanism, a differential case that accommodates the differential mechanism, and a clutch mechanism that transmits a driving force between the differential case and the differential mechanism. The clutch mechanism includes a slide member movable inside the differential case in an axial direction and an actuator. The slide member has a first meshable portion at one end in the axial direction, is allowed move relative to the differential mechanism in the axial direction, and is prevented from rotating relative to the differential mechanism. The differential case includes a first case member and a second case member that are united to form the differential case. The first case member integrally includes a second meshable portion and a flange portion that the ring gear is fastened to. When the actuator is activated the first meshable portion meshes with the second meshable portion so that the differential case and the slide member are coupled to present a relative rotation between the differential case and the slide member.

A modular electronic control system for a differential is described. Such a control system can contain an actuator and sensor in the differential casing and a connection between these elements in the differential casing and a controller outside the differential. The controller can be in the form of a printed circuit board residing in a control housing attached to the differential casing. In alternative embodiments, the controller may also be more distally located in the vehicle, where the controller housing contains means for conducting electrical signals from the interior of the differential casing to the vehicle without containing a printed circuit board. The controller may also contain a thermally conductive portion for dissipating heat generated by the controller.

A differential, including: a gear housing; an epicyclic housing which is mounted in the gear housing in a manner allowing rotation about a gear axis; a planet carrier arranged in the epicyclic housing in a manner allowing rotation; a first output sun gear; a second output sun gear; a planetary arrangement, accommodated in the planet carrier, coupling the output sun gears in a manner allowing opposite rotation; a brake device generating a bridging torque which places a load on relative rotation of the first and second output sun gears, according to a magnitude of an axial force applied to the brake device; and an actuating mechanism for the purpose of generating said axial force applied to the brake device. The actuating mechanism is designed in such a manner that the first bridging torque generated by the brake device increases as a rotary drive torque applied to the epicyclic housing increases.

A differential, including: a gear housing; an epicyclic housing which is mounted in the gear housing in a manner allowing rotation about a gear axis; a planet carrier arranged in the epicyclic housing in a manner allowing rotation; a first output sun gear; a second output sun gear; a planetary arrangement, accommodated in the planet carrier, coupling the output sun gears in a manner allowing opposite rotation; a brake device generating a bridging torque which places a load on relative rotation of the first and second output sun gears, according to a magnitude of an axial force applied to the brake device; and an actuating mechanism for the purpose of generating said axial force applied to the brake device. The actuating mechanism is designed in such a manner that the first bridging torque generated by the brake device increases as a rotary drive torque applied to the epicyclic housing increases.

A torque vectoring differential constructed in accordance to the present disclosure includes a differential carrier rotatable about an axis. A pinion carrier can have at least one pinion gear mounted for rotation on at least a portion of the pinion carrier. First and second side gears can be meshed for engagement with at least one pinion gear. The first side gear can be engaged for rotation with a first axle shaft. The second side gear can be engaged for rotation with a second axle shaft. A first clutch can be operable to selectively lock the differential carrier and the pinion carrier with respect to one another for rotation about the axis. A second clutch can be operable to selectively lock the differential carrier to the first side gear. A third clutch can be operable to selectively lock the differential carrier to the second side gear.

A torque vectoring differential constructed in accordance to the present disclosure includes a differential carrier rotatable about an axis. A pinion carrier can have at least one pinion gear mounted for rotation on at least a portion of the pinion carrier. First and second side gears can be meshed for engagement with at least one pinion gear. The first side gear can be engaged for rotation with a first axle shaft. The second side gear can be engaged for rotation with a second axle shaft. A first clutch can be operable to selectively lock the differential carrier and the pinion carrier with respect to one another for rotation about the axis. A second clutch can be operable to selectively lock the differential carrier to the first side gear. A third clutch can be operable to selectively lock the differential carrier to the second side gear.

A vehicle differential disconnect assembly can include a differential case, a differential gear set, and a torque distribution device. The differential gear set is carried within the differential case. The torque distribution device transfers torque between the differential gear set and side shafts of the accompanying vehicle driveline. The torque distribution device can include a clutch pack and an actuator assembly. The clutch pack is located at a first side of the differential case relative to the differential gear set, and the actuator assembly is located at a second side of the differential case relative to the differential gear set. The actuator assembly has a mover that transmits movement to the clutch pack when the actuator assembly actuates and deactuates the clutch pack.