B62D11/10

Control-linkage assembly for a differential of a vehicle and an axle assembly for a vehicle

A control-linkage assembly for a differential of a vehicle includes a differential housing and a linkage apparatus. The differential housing includes sides spaced from each other relative to a lateral axis. The sides each define a respective hole along the lateral axis. The differential housing includes a front end and a rear end spaced from each other relative to a central axis. The differential housing includes a support at the front end. The linkage apparatus is coupled to the support to control motion of the differential housing. An axle assembly for a vehicle includes an axle housing and the control-linkage assembly coupled to the axle housing. The control-linkage assembly includes the differential housing and the linkage apparatus as discussed above. The differential housing is fixed to the axle housing to form a unit. The linkage apparatus is coupled to the support to control motion of the unit.

CONTROL-LINKAGE ASSEMBLY FOR A DIFFERENTIAL OF A VEHICLE AND AN AXLE ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE

A control-linkage assembly for a differential of a vehicle includes a differential housing and a linkage apparatus. The differential housing includes sides spaced from each other relative to a lateral axis. The sides each define a respective hole along the lateral axis. The differential housing includes a front end and a rear end spaced from each other relative to a central axis. The differential housing includes a support at the front end. The linkage apparatus is coupled to the support to control motion of the differential housing. An axle assembly for a vehicle includes an axle housing and the control-linkage assembly coupled to the axle housing. The control-linkage assembly includes the differential housing and the linkage apparatus as discussed above. The differential housing is fixed to the axle housing to form a unit. The linkage apparatus is coupled to the support to control motion of the unit.

CONTROL-LINKAGE ASSEMBLY FOR A DIFFERENTIAL OF A VEHICLE AND AN AXLE ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE

A control-linkage assembly for a differential of a vehicle includes a differential housing and a linkage apparatus. The differential housing includes sides spaced from each other relative to a lateral axis. The sides each define a respective hole along the lateral axis. The differential housing includes a front end and a rear end spaced from each other relative to a central axis. The differential housing includes a support at the front end. The linkage apparatus is coupled to the support to control motion of the differential housing. An axle assembly for a vehicle includes an axle housing and the control-linkage assembly coupled to the axle housing. The control-linkage assembly includes the differential housing and the linkage apparatus as discussed above. The differential housing is fixed to the axle housing to form a unit. The linkage apparatus is coupled to the support to control motion of the unit.

Lateral motion control for cornering and regenerative braking energy capture

A vehicle includes motors each configured to drive a front wheel of the vehicle, an electronic limited slip differential (eLSD) between rear wheels of the vehicle, and a controller to, responsive to vehicle turning and a power of each of the motors being less than a maximum value, alter operation of the motors to increase a difference between the powers. Otherwise, the controller operates the eLSD to bias torque toward one of the rear wheels.

Lateral motion control for cornering and regenerative braking energy capture

A vehicle includes motors each configured to drive a front wheel of the vehicle, an electronic limited slip differential (eLSD) between rear wheels of the vehicle, and a controller to, responsive to vehicle turning and a power of each of the motors being less than a maximum value, alter operation of the motors to increase a difference between the powers. Otherwise, the controller operates the eLSD to bias torque toward one of the rear wheels.

Tracked-vehicle regenerative steering differential
10730552 · 2020-08-04 · ·

A regenerative differential includes torque members, and a gear assembly that includes a primary gear set and a plurality of secondary gear sets. The primary gear set is configured to transfer torque between the secondary gear sets and first and second torque members. The first secondary gear set transfers torque between the primary gear set and a third torque member. The second secondary gear set transfers torque between the primary gear set and a fourth torque member. The gear assembly is configured to maintain a fixed relationship between torque member rotation velocities 1, 2, 3, and 4, such that 3=M.sub.L.sub.2+.sub.L.sub.1, .sub.4=M.sub.R.sub.2+A.sub.R.sub.1, M.sub.L and .sub.L are functions of a ratio of the first secondary gear set, and M.sub.R and .sub.R are functions of k.sub.R of a ratio of the second secondary gear set.

Tracked-vehicle regenerative steering differential
10730552 · 2020-08-04 · ·

A regenerative differential includes torque members, and a gear assembly that includes a primary gear set and a plurality of secondary gear sets. The primary gear set is configured to transfer torque between the secondary gear sets and first and second torque members. The first secondary gear set transfers torque between the primary gear set and a third torque member. The second secondary gear set transfers torque between the primary gear set and a fourth torque member. The gear assembly is configured to maintain a fixed relationship between torque member rotation velocities 1, 2, 3, and 4, such that 3=M.sub.L.sub.2+.sub.L.sub.1, .sub.4=M.sub.R.sub.2+A.sub.R.sub.1, M.sub.L and .sub.L are functions of a ratio of the first secondary gear set, and M.sub.R and .sub.R are functions of k.sub.R of a ratio of the second secondary gear set.

Continuously variable transmission system
10717467 · 2020-07-21 ·

A continuously variable transmission (CVT) system, which turns the rear wheels of a lawn mower or similar vehicle at different speeds in a coordinated method with the front steering wheels in order to achieve the best turning radius (including a tight or zero turn radius, if desired) under most conditions. The system comprises two stages: the first stage comprising a Fixed Center Distance CVT pulley system, and the second stage comprising dual CVTs (e.g., left and right) that input into dual gear reducers (left and right), which are mechanically connected to the rear wheels. The second stage dual CVTs (left and right) are synchronized with the steering wheel, thus achieving different rear wheel speeds and/or directions based on the steering wheel position.

UTILIZATION OF BRAKES AND TRANSMISSION SYSTEM TO AFFECT STEERING OF A VEHICLE AND METHOD THEREOF
20200207315 · 2020-07-02 ·

A method of controlling a vehicle during a braking operation includes providing a first and a second brake actuator, a brake input device, a steer input device, and a cross-drive transmission having two outputs and a controller. The method includes detecting a first output speed at the first output and a second output speed at the second output, and receiving a brake input request and a steer input request. The method also includes determining a differential output speed based on the first output speed and the second output speed, and comparing the differential output speed to a first threshold, the brake input request to a second threshold, and the steer input request to a third threshold. The method includes determining the first or the second output is locked during the braking operation, and controlling the first or the second brake actuator based on which output is determined to be locked.

UTILIZATION OF BRAKES AND TRANSMISSION SYSTEM TO AFFECT STEERING OF A VEHICLE AND METHOD THEREOF
20200207315 · 2020-07-02 ·

A method of controlling a vehicle during a braking operation includes providing a first and a second brake actuator, a brake input device, a steer input device, and a cross-drive transmission having two outputs and a controller. The method includes detecting a first output speed at the first output and a second output speed at the second output, and receiving a brake input request and a steer input request. The method also includes determining a differential output speed based on the first output speed and the second output speed, and comparing the differential output speed to a first threshold, the brake input request to a second threshold, and the steer input request to a third threshold. The method includes determining the first or the second output is locked during the braking operation, and controlling the first or the second brake actuator based on which output is determined to be locked.