DRIVE DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE AXLE OF A TWO-TRACK VEHICLE

Abstract

A drive device for a vehicle axle, in particular a rear axle, of a two-track vehicle, wherein the vehicle axle includes an axle differential, which is connectable on the input side to a primary drive machine and is connectable on the output side via flanged shafts arranged on both sides to vehicle wheels of the vehicle axle, wherein an additional drive machine and a shiftable superimposed transmission are associated with the vehicle axle, which transmission is shiftable into a torque distribution gear step, in which a drive torque generated by the additional drive machine is generated, in dependence on the dimension and rotational direction of which a torque distribution on the two vehicle wheels is changeable.

Claims

1-13. (canceled)

14. A drive device for a vehicle axle, in particular a rear axle (HA), of a two-track vehicle, wherein the vehicle axle (HA) comprises: an axle differential, which is connectable on the input side to a primary drive machine and is connectable on the output side via flanged shafts arranged on both sides to vehicle wheels of the vehicle axle (HA), wherein an additional drive machine and a shiftable superimposed transmission are associated with the vehicle axle (HA), which transmission is shiftable into a torque distribution gear step, in which a drive torque generated by the additional drive machine is generated, in dependence on the dimension and rotational direction of which a torque distribution onto the two vehicle wheels is changeable, and is shiftable into a hybrid mode, in which the drive torque generated by the additional drive machine can be coupled via the axle differential uniformly distributed onto both flanged shafts of the vehicle wheels, wherein the superimposed transmission comprises precisely two planetary gear trains, of which an input planetary gear train is designed as a Ravigneaux gear set, which can be connected with respect to drive on the input side to the additional drive machine, and of which an output planetary gear train is designed as a simple planetary gear train gear set having precisely one input element, a reaction element, and an output element, of which the input element is connected to the input planetary gear train and the output element is connected with respect to drive to the axle differential input side.

15. The drive device as claimed in claim 14, wherein, with an engaged first hybrid gear step, in particular a starting gear, and with an engaged second hybrid gear step, a load path is formed in each case, into which the input planetary gear train and the output planetary gear train are incorporated without power split-ting, and in that with engaged torque distribution gear step, a load path is formed, in which the input planetary gear train and the output planetary gear train are incorporated, wherein power splitting occurs at the input planetary gear train.

16. The drive device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the two planetary gear trains and the axle differential are arranged in series one after another coaxially to the flanged shaft, and in that the input planetary gear train is connected in a rotationally-fixed manner using an input element, in particular a first sun gear, to a transmission input shaft driven by the additional drive machine, and/or in that an output element of the output planetary gear train, in particular a planet gear carrier bearing planet gears, is arranged in a rotationally-fixed manner via a hybrid pinion flange on a transmission output shaft, which is connected with respect to drive to the axle differential input side.

17. The drive device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the output planetary gear train comprises, as a reaction element, a housing-fixed sun gear meshing with the planet gears, and/or comprises, as an input element, a ring gear, which meshes with the planet gears and is coupled with respect to drive to the input planetary gear train.

18. The drive device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the ring gear of the output planetary gear train and a ring gear of the input planetary gear train are jointly arranged in a rotation-ally-fixed manner on a ring gear shaft.

19. The drive device as claimed in claim 14, wherein, in the input planetary gear train designed as a Ravigneaux gear set, planet gears of a radial outer planet gear set mesh both with the radial outer ring gear, with respective planet gears of a radial inner planet gear set, and with the first sun gear, and in that the planet gears of the radial inner planet gear set mesh with a second sun gear, wherein the two planet gear sets are rotationally mounted on a common planet gear carrier.

20. The drive device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the common planet gear carrier of the input planetary gear train can be lock-braked on the transmission housing or can be released there-from via a first hybrid shift element, so that in the first hybrid gear step, the common planet gear carrier of the input planetary gear train is shifted in a housing-fixed manner via the first hybrid shift element, so that a load path results from the additional drive machine via the first sun gear and via the planet gears of the radial outer planet gear set to the ring gear and from there further via the ring gear shaft and the output planetary gear train to the transmission output shaft.

21. The drive device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the second sun gear can be lock-braked on the transmission housing via a second hybrid shift element, so that in the second hybrid gear step, the second sun gear of the input planetary gear train is shifted in a housing-fixed manner via the hybrid shift element, so that a load path results from the additional drive machine via the first sun gear and via the planet gears of the radial outer planet gear set to the ring gear and from there further via the ring gear shaft and the output planetary gear train to the transmission output shaft.

22. The drive device as claimed in claim 21, wherein a torque distribution pinion shaft leading to the axle differential bears a torque distribution flange in a rotationally-fixed manner, which can be coupled with respect to drive via a torque distribution shift element to the common planet gear carrier of the input planetary gear train or can be decoupled therefrom.

23. The drive device as claimed in claim 22, wherein the axle differential is designed as a Ravigneaux gear set, in which planet gears of a radial outer planet gear set both mesh with a radial outer ring gear, which forms the input side of the axle differential, respectively with planet gears of a radial inner planet gear set, and with a first sun gear, and in that the planet gears of the radial inner planet gear set mesh with a second sun gear, wherein the two planet gear sets are rotationally mounted on a common planet gear carrier, and in that in particular the first sun gear is arranged in a rotationally-fixed manner on the torque distribution pinion shaft, the second sun gear is arranged in a rotationally-fixed manner on the one flanged shaft, and the common planet gear carrier is arranged in a rotationally-fixed manner on the other flanged shaft.

24. The drive device as claimed in claim 22, wherein, with engaged torque distribution gear step, the torque distribution shaft and the common planet gear carrier of the input planetary gear train are connected with respect to drive via the torque distribution shift element, so that a load path is formed from the additional drive machine into the input planetary gear train, on the common planet gear carrier of which a power distribution takes place, in which a first partial path leads via the ring gear of the input planetary gear train and via the ring gear shaft to the output planetary gear train and leads further from there via its planet gear carrier to the transmission output shaft, and a second partial path leads via the common planet gear carrier of the input planetary gear train and the closed torque distribution shift element to the torque distribution shaft and from there to the first sun gear of the axle differential.

25. The drive device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the additional drive machine for torque conversion is coupled via a reduction gear step to the transmission input shaft, in particular a single-step spur gear step, and/or in that the additional drive machine is arranged axially-parallel to the flanged shaft.

26. The drive device as claimed in claim 14, wherein, observed in the vehicle transverse direction from the vehicle inside to the vehicle outside in a series one after another, the axle differential, the output planetary gear train, the input planetary gear train, and the additional drive machine are arranged, and in that the hybrid shift elements are positioned in the axial direction between the input planetary gear train and the additional drive machine, and/or in that the torque distribution shift element is positioned between the input and output planetary gear trains.

27. The drive device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the two planetary gear trains and the axle differential are arranged in series one after another coaxially to the flanged shaft, and in that the input planetary gear train is connected in a rotationally-fixed manner using an input element, in particular a first sun gear, to a transmission input shaft driven by the additional drive machine, and/or in that an output element of the output planetary gear train, in particular a planet gear carrier bearing planet gears, is arranged in a rotationally-fixed manner via a hybrid pinion flange on a transmission output shaft, which is connected with respect to drive to the axle differential input side.

28. The drive device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the out-put planetary gear train comprises, as a reaction element, a housing-fixed sun gear meshing with the planet gears, and/or comprises, as an input element, a ring gear, which meshes with the planet gears and is coupled with respect to drive to the input planetary gear train.

29. The drive device as claimed in claim 15, wherein, in the input planetary gear train designed as a Ravigneaux gear set, planet gears of a radial outer planet gear set mesh both with the radial outer ring gear, with respective planet gears of a radial inner planet gear set, and with the first sun gear, and in that the planet gears of the radial inner planet gear set mesh with a second sun gear, wherein the two planet gear sets are rotationally mounted on a common planet gear carrier.

30. The drive device as claimed in claim 16, wherein, in the input planetary gear train designed as a Ravigneaux gear set, planet gears of a radial outer planet gear set mesh both with the radial outer ring gear, with respective planet gears of a radial inner planet gear set, and with the first sun gear, and in that the planet gears of the radial inner planet gear set mesh with a second sun gear, wherein the two planet gear sets are rotationally mounted on a common planet gear carrier.

31. The drive device as claimed in claim 17, wherein, in the input planetary gear train designed as a Ravigneaux gear set, planet gears of a radial outer planet gear set mesh both with the radial outer ring gear, with respective planet gears of a radial inner planet gear set, and with the first sun gear, and in that the planet gears of the radial inner planet gear set mesh with a second sun gear, wherein the two planet gear sets are rotationally mounted on a common planet gear carrier.

32. The drive device as claimed in claim 18, wherein, in the input planetary gear train designed as a Ravigneaux gear set, planet gears of a radial outer planet gear set mesh both with the radial outer ring gear, with respective planet gears of a radial inner planet gear set, and with the first sun gear, and in that the planet gears of the radial inner planet gear set mesh with a second sun gear, wherein the two planet gear sets are rotationally mounted on a common planet gear carrier.

33. The drive device as claimed in claim 20, wherein the second sun gear can be lock-braked on the transmission housing via a second hybrid shift element, so that in the second hybrid gear step, the second sun gear of the input planetary gear train is shifted in a housing-fixed manner via the hybrid shift element, so that a load path results from the additional drive machine via the first sun gear and via the planet gears of the radial outer planet gear set to the ring gear and from there further via the ring gear shaft and the output planetary gear train to the transmission output shaft.

Description

[0016] An exemplary embodiment of the invention is described hereafter on the basis of the appended figures.

[0017] In the figures:

[0018] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a drive device for a vehicle rear axle of a two-track vehicle;

[0019] FIGS. 2 to 4 each show views corresponding to FIG. 1 having highlighted drive torque flow with engaged first hybrid gear step (FIG. 2), with engaged second hybrid gear step (FIG. 3), and with engaged torque distribution gear step (FIG. 4).

[0020] A transmission structure of a drive device for a vehicle rear axle HA of a two-track vehicle is shown very schematically in FIG. 1. The drive device indicated in FIG. 1 can be part of an all-wheel-drive, in which a frontal internal combustion engine (not shown), as a primary drive machine, outputs to the front wheels of the vehicle via a transmission and a center differential and a front axle differential. The center differential can be connected with respect to drive via a Cardan shaft and via a bevel gear 4 to the input side 13 of a rear axle differential 3. A clutch K, by means of which the rear axle HA can be decoupled with respect to drive from the Cardan shaft, is connected between the bevel gear 4 and the input side 13 of the rear axle differential 3.

[0021] The rear axle differential 3 is coupled with respect to drive on the output side via flanged shafts 5, 7 arranged on both sides to the vehicle rear wheels 9 of the vehicle rear axle HA. In FIG. 1, the rear axle differential 3 is a planetary differential having a Ravigneaux gear set, in which planet gears 11 of a radial outer planet gear set mesh both with a radial outer ring gear 13, which forms the input side of the axle differential 3, and also with planet gears 15 of a radial inner planet gear set. Moreover, the planet gears 11 of the radial outer planet gear set have a tooth mesh with a first, large sun gear 17. The planet gears 15 of the second planet gear set, in contrast, have a tooth mesh with a second, small sun gear 19. Both planet gear sets are rotationally mounted on a common planet gear carrier 21, which is seated in a rotationally-fixed manner on a transmission-side flanged shaft 7. In contrast, the second, small sun gear 19 is seated in a rotationally-fixed manner on the transmission-remote flanged shaft 5, while the first, large sun gear 17 is seated in a rotationally-fixed manner on a torque distribution pinion shaft 23, which leads into the superimposed transmission 25.

[0022] The rear axle HA comprises the above-mentioned superimposed transmission 25 and an electric machine 26. The superimposed transmission 25 is operable in a hybrid mode or in a torque distribution mode (i.e., electronic torque vectoring or differential lock function), as described hereafter. In the hybrid mode, a drive torque generated by the electric machine 26 is coupled uniformly distributed onto the two flanged shafts 5, 7 via the superimposed transmission 25 and via the rear axle differential 3. The hybrid mode can be carried out solely by electric motor or in combination of the electric machine 26 with the internal combustion engine (for example, for a boost function).

[0023] In the torque distribution mode, the drive torque generated by the electric machine 26 is conducted not only to the input side (ring gear 13) of the axle differential 3, but rather also via the superimposed transmission 25 to the first large sun gear 17 of the axle differential 3, to change a torque distribution on the two rear wheels 9. The introduction into the first, large sun gear 17 takes place via a torque distribution flange 24 of the superimposed transmission 25 seated on the torque distribution pinion shaft 23. The torque distribution between the vehicle wheels 9 takes place in dependence on the amount and the rotational direction of the drive torque generated by the electric machine 26.

[0024] The transmission structure of the superimposed transmission 25 is explained hereafter on the basis of FIG. 1: accordingly, the superimposed transmission 25 comprises precisely two planetary gear trains PG1, PG2, of which the input planetary gear train PG1 is designed as a Ravigneaux gear set, which is connected on the input side to the electric machine 26. In contrast, the output planetary gear train PG2 is designed as a simple planetary gear train gear set, which is connected with respect to drive on the output side via a transmission output shaft 29 to the axle differential input side 13. The axle differential 3 and the two planetary gear trains PG1, PG2 are arranged in series one after another coaxially in relation to the flanged shaft 7. The input element of the input planetary gear train PG1 is implemented by a first sun gear 31, which is seated in a rotationally-fixed manner on a transmission input shaft 33, which is coupled via a reduction gear step 51 to the electric machine 26. Moreover, the input planetary gear train PG1 designed as a Ravigneaux gear set comprises planet gears 35 of a radial outer planet gear set, which mesh both with a radial outer ring gear 37 and also with planet gears 39 of a radial inner planet gear set. The planet gears 39 of the radial inner planet gear set moreover mesh with a second sun gear 41. The two planet gear sets are rotationally mounted on a common planet gear carrier 43. A first braking flange 45, which can be lock-braked via a first hybrid shift element SH1 on the transmission housing or can be released therefrom, is seated in a rotationally-fixed manner on the common planet gear carrier 43. On the axially opposing side, the common planet gear carrier 43 is extended with an axial web 47, on which a torque distribution shift element STV is seated, which can be coupled with the torque distribution flange 49 or can be released therefrom. The torque distribution flange is supported in a rotationally-fixed manner by the torque distribution pinion shaft 23, which is attached at its other shaft end to the first sun gear 17 of the axle differential 3.

[0025] The ring gear 37 of the input planetary gear train PG1 is arranged rotationally-fixed on a ring gear shaft 53 together with a ring gear 55 of the output planetary gear train PG2. The ring gear 55 of the output planetary gear train PG2 meshes with planet gears 57, which are rotatably mounted on a planet gear carrier 59. The planet gear carrier 59 is arranged in a rotationally-fixed manner via a hybrid pinion flange 61 on the transmission output shaft 29, which is connected with respect to drive to the axle differential input side 13. As a reaction element, the output planetary gear train PG2 comprises a housing-fixed sun gear 63 meshing with the planet gears 57.

[0026] To explain the functionality of the drive device, a driving situation is described on the basis of FIG. 2, in which the first hybrid gear step H1 is engaged. In the present case, the first hybrid gear step H1 is designed by way of example as a starting gear, which can be engaged at low vehicle velocities. With engaged first hybrid gear step H1, the common planet gear carrier 43 of the input planetary gear train PG1 is shifted in a housing-fixed manner via the first hybrid shift element SH1. A load path from the electric machine 26 via the first sun gear 31 and via the planet gears 35 of the radial outer planet gear set to the ring gear 37 thus results. From there, the load path leads further via the ring gear shaft 53 to the output planetary gear train PG2. From its planet carrier 59, the load path leads via the hybrid pinion flange 61 up to the transmission output shaft 29.

[0027] A further driving situation is shown in FIG. 3, in which the superimposed transmission 25 is operated with engaged second hybrid gear step H2. In this case, a braking flange 46 of the second sun gear 41 is lock-braked via the second hybrid shift element SH2 on the transmission housing. A load path thus results from the electric machine 26 via the first sun gear 31 and via the planet gears 35 of the radial outer planet gear set to the ring gear 37. From there, the load path leads further via the ring gear shaft 53 and the output planetary gear train PG2 up to the transmission output shaft 29.

[0028] In FIG. 4, the superimposed transmission 25 is operated in a torque distribution mode. This mode is activated, for example, when cornering to achieve a torque difference between the flanged shafts 5, 7. In the torque distribution mode, the torque distribution gear step TV is engaged, so that the torque distribution pinion shaft 23 is connected with respect to drive by means of the torque distribution shift element STV to the common planet gear carrier 43 of the input planetary gear train PG1. A load path is thus formed from the electric machine 26 into the input planetary gear train PG1, at the common planet gear carrier 43 of which a power distribution takes place into a first partial path and a second partial path. The first partial path leads from the planet gears 35 of the radial outer planet gear set via the ring gear 37 and via the ring gear shaft 53 up to the output planetary gear train PG2. From there, the first partial path leads via the planet gear carrier 59 of the output planetary gear train PG2 further to the transmission output shaft 29. A second partial path leads from the common planet gear carrier 43 of the input planetary gear train PG1 via the closed torque distribution shift element STV to the torque distribution pinion shaft 23 and from there to the first axle differential sun gear 17.