Patent ID: 7044880
Filing Date: 2006-05-16
Classification: B60K,B60W,F16H

Abstract:
1. A motor vehicle, comprising: a powertrain operable for generating drive torque; a primary driveline for transmitting drive torque from said powertrain to first and second primary wheels; a secondary driveline for selectively transmitting drive torque from said powertrain to first and second secondary wheels, said secondary driveline including an input shaft driven by said powertrain, a first axleshaft driving said first secondary wheel, a second axleshaft driving said second secondary wheel, and a drive mechanism coupling said input shaft to said first and second axleshafts, said drive mechanism including a differential assembly, a planetary gear assembly, and first and second mode clutches, said differential assembly having an input component driven by said input shaft, a first output component driving said first axleshaft and a second output component driving said second axleshaft, said planetary gear assembly having first and second gearsets, said first gearset having a first sun gear, a first ring gear, a first planet carrier driven by said input component, and a set of first planet gears rotatably supported by said first planet carrier and meshed with said first sun gear and said first ring gear, said second gearset having a second sun gear, a second ring gear driven by said first planet carrier, a second planet carrier driven by said first axleshaft, and a set of second planet gears rotatably supported by said second planet carrier and meshed with said second sun gear and said second ring gear, said first mode clutch is operable for selectively inhibiting rotation of said first sun gear so as to cause said planetary gear assembly to decrease the rotary speed of said first axleshaft, and said second mode clutch is operable for selectively inhibiting rotation of said second sun gear so as to cause said planetary gear assembly to increase the rotary speed of said first axleshaft; and a control system for controlling actuation of said first and second mode clutches.