Patent ID: 7951035
Filing Date: 2011-05-31
Classification: B60K,F16H

Abstract:
1. A vehicle driveline comprising: an axle assembly having an input pinion, a input ring gear, a first output member, a second output member and a power distribution system, the input pinion being adapted to receive a rotary input, the input ring gear being meshingly engaged with the input pinion, the first output member being adapted to drive a first vehicle wheel on a first side of a vehicle, the second output member being adapted to drive a second vehicle wheel on a second side of the vehicle opposite the first side, the power distribution system being driven by the input ring gear and distributing drive torque between the first and second output members, the power distribution system including a first continuously variable transmission; wherein the power distribution system further includes a differential that is coupled to the first continuously variable transmission; wherein the input ring gear transmits rotary power to the differential; wherein the differential provides a first differential output and wherein the power distribution system includes a power splitting transmission between the differential and the first continuously variable transmission, the power splitting transmission receiving the first differential output and providing a first rotary output and a second rotary output, the first rotary output being provided to the first output member, the second rotary output being input to the first continuously variable transmission; wherein the first continuously variable transmission has an output that is coupled to the first output member; wherein the power splitting transmission includes a first planetary gearset and a second planetary gearset; and wherein the first planetary gearset includes a first planet carrier and a first ring gear, the first planet carrier being driven by the first differential output, the first ring gear being coupled for rotation with the first output member.