Patent ID: 9718355
Date: 2017-08-01
CPC Classifications: B60K,B60W,F16H

Claim:
1. A vehicle comprising: a prime mover; a first group of one or more wheels; a second group of two or more wheels; and a driveline to connect the prime mover via a transmission to the first and second groups of wheels such that the first group of one or more wheels may be driven by the prime mover when the driveline is in a first mode of operation and the second group of wheels may additionally be driven by the prime mover when the driveline is in a second mode of operation, the driveline including an auxiliary driveline comprising an auxiliary driveshaft and drive means between the auxiliary driveshaft and the second group of wheels, wherein the drive means comprises: a ring gear arranged to be driven by the auxiliary driveshaft; an input portion; a plurality of output portions each operable to drive a respective different wheel of the second group of wheels; a differential arranged to enable the respective output portions of the drive means to rotate at different respective speeds; a first releasable torque transmitting means operable releasably to connect the input portion of the drive means to the output portions of the drive means thereby to allow the input portion of the drive means to drive the output portions of the drive means, wherein the first releasable torque transmitting means is operable to enable slippage of the input portion of the drive means with respect to the output portions of the drive means thereby to vary an amount of torque that is transmitted from the input portion of the drive means to the output portions of the drive means; and wherein the first releasable torque transmitting means is operable to enable the output portions of the drive means to rotate independent of the rotation of the ring gear thereby to enable the ring gear to be brought to rest when the driveline is in the first mode of operation; and a locking clutch operable releasably to connect a cage of the differential to an output portion of the drive means thereby to couple rotation of the cage of the differential to rotation of the output portion of the drive means, wherein the locking clutch and the first releasable torque transmitting means are respectively provided on opposite sides of the ring gear.