Patent ID: 8911321
Filing Date: 2014-12-16
Classification: B60K

Abstract:
1. A method of driving a tandem axle system, comprising: providing rotation to an input shaft for said tandem axle system, said input shaft rotation being continuously transmitted to a rear axle system of said tandem axle system and being selectively provided to a forward axle system of said tandem axle system, said input shaft driving an inter-axle differential having differential pinion gears and first and second side gears, wherein said first side gear is connected to a shaft concentric with said input shaft, and said second side gear drives a rear pinion gear that provides rotation to said rear axle system comprising a rear differential and rear axles connected to said rear differential, wherein said concentric shaft drives a cone assembly of a synchronizer system, said cone assembly is selectively engagable with a plate assembly of said synchronizer system to rotate said plate assembly, wherein said plate assembly rotationally drives a forward pinion gear for providing rotation to said forward axle system comprising a forward differential, said forward differential driving at least one stub shaft selectively connected to an axle shaft by a forward axle system clutch.