A vehicle drive device that includes a rotary electric machine that serves as a drive force source for wheels; a speed change mechanism; a pump motor that serves as a drive force source for an electric pump that generates a hydraulic pressure to be supplied to a servo mechanism for the speed change mechanism; a case that accommodates the speed change mechanism; and a first inverter that controls the rotary electric machine and a second inverter that controls the pump motor, the first inverter and the second inverter being connected to a common DC power source, wherein: the first inverter and the second inverter are disposed in the case; and a first wiring member that extends from the DC power source is branched in the case to be connected to each of the first inverter and the second inverter.

A vehicle drive device that includes a rotary electric machine that serves as a drive force source for wheels; a speed change mechanism; a pump motor that serves as a drive force source for an electric pump that generates a hydraulic pressure to be supplied to a servo mechanism for the speed change mechanism; a case that accommodates the speed change mechanism; and a first inverter that controls the rotary electric machine and a second inverter that controls the pump motor, the first inverter and the second inverter being connected to a common DC power source, wherein: the first inverter and the second inverter are disposed in the case; and a first wiring member that extends from the DC power source is branched in the case to be connected to each of the first inverter and the second inverter.

A method is provided to control the acceleration of a motor vehicle from a current speed, wherein the motor vehicle includes an accelerator pedal system able to generate on the accelerator pedal an added reaction force when the depression of the accelerator pedal reaches a given depression level. The method includes the steps of: a) measuring the current vehicle speed; b) determining a target speed of the motor vehicle in function at least of the current vehicle speed or determining from the current vehicle speed a maximum acceleration rate; c) determining at least one threshold depression level of the accelerator pedal that corresponds to the stabilization of the vehicle speed at the target speed or that corresponds to maximum acceleration rate; d) generating an added reaction force on the accelerator pedal if the depression of the accelerator pedal reaches or is about to reach the threshold depression level; wherein at least steps a), b), and c) are automatically repeated as vehicle speed increases.

A self-propelled construction machine comprises a machine frame, at least three travelling devices, at least one hydraulic drive system for driving at least two travelling devices, wherein the hydraulic drive system comprises at least one controllable hydraulic motor with variable displacement volume and at least one hydraulic pump, at least one working device (e.g. a milling drum), for working the ground pavement. A detection device detects fluctuations in the longitudinal speed of the construction machine during movement thereof, wherein a control unit alters the displacement volume of the at least one controllable hydraulic motor as a function of the detected fluctuations so that the natural frequency of the hydraulic drive system is altered, wherein the control unit adjusts the discharge volume of the pump as a function of the amount of adjustment of the displacement volume in such a fashion that the specified drive speed remains constant.

Disclosed are a control method for a hydraulic retarder, and a control system. The method includes: acquiring a slope of a downhill road segment ahead of a vehicle; determining whether an absolute value of the slope is greater than an absolute value of a slope for which a braking force is not required; if so, predicting a required braking force and oil amount for the vehicle at a steady speed; predicting, according to the oil amount, oil filling time and a distance between the vehicle and an origin of the above road segment at the start time of oil filling of the hydraulic retarder; in the case that the actual distance of the vehicle is equal to a predicted distance, starting oil filling; and upon the vehicle reaching the origin of the road segment, starting braking. The present disclosure can lower wear of brake pads and reduce vehicle running costs.

Disclosed are a control method for a hydraulic retarder, and a control system. The method includes: acquiring a slope of a downhill road segment ahead of a vehicle; determining whether an absolute value of the slope is greater than an absolute value of a slope for which a braking force is not required; if so, predicting a required braking force and oil amount for the vehicle at a steady speed; predicting, according to the oil amount, oil filling time and a distance between the vehicle and an origin of the above road segment at the start time of oil filling of the hydraulic retarder; in the case that the actual distance of the vehicle is equal to a predicted distance, starting oil filling; and upon the vehicle reaching the origin of the road segment, starting braking. The present disclosure can lower wear of brake pads and reduce vehicle running costs.

A self-propelled construction machine comprises a machine frame, at least three travelling devices, at least one hydraulic drive system for driving at least two travelling devices, wherein the hydraulic drive system comprises at least one controllable hydraulic motor with variable displacement volume and at least one hydraulic pump, at least one working device (e.g. a milling drum), for working the ground pavement. A detection device detects fluctuations in the longitudinal speed of the construction machine during movement thereof, wherein a control unit alters the displacement volume of the at least one controllable hydraulic motor as a function of the detected fluctuations so that the natural frequency of the hydraulic drive system is altered, wherein the control unit adjusts the discharge volume of the pump as a function of the amount of adjustment of the displacement volume in such a fashion that the specified drive speed remains constant.

A self-propelled construction machine comprises a machine frame, at least three travelling devices, at least one hydraulic drive system for driving at least two travelling devices, wherein the hydraulic drive system comprises at least one controllable hydraulic motor with variable displacement volume and at least one hydraulic pump, at least one working device (e.g. a milling drum), for working the ground pavement. A detection device detects fluctuations in the longitudinal speed of the construction machine during movement thereof, wherein a control unit alters the displacement volume of the at least one controllable hydraulic motor as a function of the detected fluctuations so that the natural frequency of the hydraulic drive system is altered, wherein the control unit adjusts the discharge volume of the pump as a function of the amount of adjustment of the displacement volume in such a fashion that the specified drive speed remains constant.

An axle assembly having an axle housing including a differential assembly having a ring gear and a lubrication directing assembly disposed directly adjacent to the ring gear. The lubrication directing assembly having a first lubrication flow surface, a second lubrication flow surface, and a trough. The axle assembly also includes an axle housing cover surrounding the axle housing. A fluid storage tank is attached to the housing cover, wherein the fluid storage tank includes a fill channel directly attached to the rear housing cover; an expandable air bladder disposed in the fluid storage tank; and a first valve disposed below the air bladder and in contact with the air bladder.

An axle assembly having an axle housing including a differential assembly having a ring gear and a lubrication directing assembly disposed directly adjacent to the ring gear. The lubrication directing assembly having a first lubrication flow surface, a second lubrication flow surface, and a trough. The axle assembly also includes an axle housing cover surrounding the axle housing. A fluid storage tank is attached to the housing cover, wherein the fluid storage tank includes a fill channel directly attached to the rear housing cover; an expandable air bladder disposed in the fluid storage tank; and a first valve disposed below the air bladder and in contact with the air bladder.