Abstract:
A method of and apparatus for controlling an axle drive for the purpose of distributing torque from a propulsion shaft to two axle shafts, having a coupling carrier which is rotatably supported in a axle drive housing, and two controllable friction couplings arranged in the coupling carrier and provided for engageably connecting and driving the axle shafts, with first friction plates of each friction coupling being non-rotatably connected to the coupling carrier and with second friction plates of each friction coupling being non-rotatably connected to the respective axle shaft, and having two actuating devices for the two friction couplings, which actuating devices, when the two axle shafts both rotate in the same direction relative to the coupling carrier, function autonomously independently of one another, and when the two axle shafts rotate in opposite directions relative to the coupling carrier, the actuating devices are shut down.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Axle drives of the type which transfer torque in motor vehicles by means of a double coupling are known from DE 40 21 747 C2. Actuation takes place by a single, shared actuating device which uniformly loads both friction couplings and which must be provided with an external energy supply unit and an external controlling device. It is possible for the double coupling to be controlled independently of the various operating parameters, but it is then necessary to provide additional means for controlling the self-locking mechanical differential drives, with the cost of such means not always being justified. 
     An axle drive of a similar type is known from DE 38 21 773 A1 which, in contrast to the above-described drive, is provided with separate external actuating devices for the two friction couplings. In this case, too, control can be independent of the different operating parameters, with the control means providing an additional, improved individual locking effect for the two friction couplings. However, the expenditure (in space, weight, and the like) for energy supply means and control means is doubled. 
     Similarly-designed assemblies known as Twin Visco-Lok® couplings differ in that the friction couplings are replaced by prior art viscous couplings which are arranged in a common housing and, for each of the two axle shafts, a locking effect relative to the coupling housing is built up automatically in a differential speed sensing way. Such assemblies are simplified in their design as compared to the above-mentioned axle drives and they have the advantage of a differential-speed-dependent locking effect, but as compared to assemblies with mechanical friction couplings, they have a relatively low performance density (the performance/space ratio of the device, i.e., the ratio of the performance of the device to the space occupied by the device) and the disadvantage of independent locking effects at the two axle shafts. 
     An axle drive of the first-mentioned type is known from DE 44 44 027 C2 wherein two friction coupling units are coupled to the coupling carrier on the one hand and to the two axle shafts on the other hand while being loaded by a Visco-Lok® actuating device, there being a relative speed between an axle shaft and the coupling carrier. 
     As far as installation space, weight and costs are concerned, the latter Twin Visco-Lok® coupling constitutes an advantageous system in a hang-on configuration wherein the wheels of an axle which is dragged along can be driven if required. A hang-on configuration or system is one in which a four-wheel drive vehicle&#39;s rear axle is driven via a coupling which closes only when there is wheel spin at the front axle, i.e., when a speed differential exists between the coupling&#39;s input and output shafts. Such an assembly can replace a locking central differential and a locking axle differential. 
     With a Twin Visco-Lok® coupling which combines the longitudinal and transverse locking effect, it becomes more complicated to adjust the system with respect to traction and braking stability, and there is a tendency of driveline torsion when the vehicle is driven in a circle. 
     In the above-mentioned publication DE 44 44 027 C2, there is a hydraulic connection between the two actuating devices. A connection between the pressure chambers is proposed, but is disadvantageous in that, if there are different differential speeds of the two axle shafts relative to the coupling carrier, the locking moment for both axle shafts is defined only by the pump with the smaller relative speed, preventing the traction potential of the wheel of the dragged-along axle with the higher friction value to be fully utilized. 
     It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide an improved process of controlling an axle drive of said type and the respective axle drive which more satisfactorily meets the requirements for a hang-on system in different driving situations. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is carried out by and embodied in a method and apparatus for distributing torque from a propulsion shaft to two axle shafts. A coupling carrier is driveable by the propulsion shaft and rotatably supported in an axle drive housing, and two controllable friction couplings are mounted in the coupling carrier for selectively connecting and driving the axle shafts, with first friction plates of each friction coupling being non-rotatably connected to the coupling carrier and with second friction plates of each friction coupling being non-rotatably connected to an associated axle, with actuating devices each comprising an axially-displaceable piston acting on the friction couplings, and pump assemblies which, as a function of the relative rotation between the coupling carrier and the respective axle shaft, build up a fluid pressure which acts on the respective pistons. The objective of the present invention is achieved by providing a process and device in which, when the two axle shafts both rotate in the same direction relative to the coupling carrier, the two pump assemblies function autonomously (independently of one another), and when the two axle shafts rotate in opposite directions relative to the coupling carrier, the two pump assemblies are shut down. The two pump assemblies may be shut down by cross-wise connecting their suction and pressure ends. Also, the suction ends of the two pump assemblies can be connected to a common reservoir when functioning autonomously. 
     Such a system meets almost all essential requirements, i.e. maximum traction, no driveline torsion when driving the vehicle in a circle, but at the same time exerting a minimum influence on the braking stability in the case of different slip conditions on the two sides of the vehicle or between the different axles of the vehicle. 
     Although the above-mentioned principles apply to any pump assembly, the preferred embodiment refers to Visco-Lok® pump assemblies which are characterized in that, for each pump assembly, there is provided a pump housing in the coupling carrier; that one piston each is axially displaceable within the pump housings and delimits a pressure chamber at one end; that the pressure chambers are each connected to a reservoir and that the reservoirs and the pressure chambers are filled with a highly viscous fluid; that in each pressure chamber, there is provided a shear-channel-and-control element which, relative to the pump housing, is rotationally moveable between two end positions; and that in each pressure chamber, there is provided one shear plate, each of which is non-rotatably connected to one of the axle shafts; that rotational faces of the shear plate and counter faces of the shear-channel-and-control element form at least one closed shear channel, which closed shear channel is formed by a circumferential groove extending between two ends in the circumferential direction in the shear-channel-and-control element and by a surface of the shear plate covering said groove; that, via channels and grooves arranged in the pump housing and via control apertures provided at the ends of the circumferential grooves in the shear-channel-and-control element, the reservoir can be connected to the pressure chambers in such a way that, in both end positions of a shear-channel-and-control element, the control aperture arranged at the front end of the circumferential groove in the relative direction of rotation communicates with the reservoir; and that the control aperture positioned at the rear end of the circumferential groove in the relative direction of rotation communicates with the pressure chamber, so that, in the case of a relative speed between an axle shaft and the coupling carrier, fluid is conveyed in the shear channel from the reservoir to the pressure chamber. In particular, it is proposed that the coupling carrier forms a common pump housing for both pump assemblies, which are designed symmetrically relative to a common intermediate housing wall, and that the two shear-channel-and-reversing elements rest against the intermediate housing wall. An advantageous inventive design solution consists in that the intermediate housing wall is provided with two radial surface grooves which are positioned back-to-back and which connect the pressure end of the respective shear channel to the respective pressure chamber, and furthermore with two radial inner channels which are positioned at the same circumferential angular distance from the surface grooves and which end in axial through apertures connecting the suction end of the respective shear channel to the reservoir, and finally with two further through-apertures arranged at the same circumferential distance from each of the above-mentioned through-apertures; that the shear-channel-and-control elements, on the side resting against the intermediate housing wall, are provided with a radial surface groove which, in one of the end positions, connects one of the outer additional through-apertures to the pressure chamber; and that the control apertures in the shear-channel-and-reversing elements, in the circumferential direction, simultaneously cover at least one of the through-apertures and one of the additional through apertures in the intermediate housing wall. 
     The above-mentioned arrangement of cross-wise connections in the intermediate housing wall has a shut-down function when the two axle shafts rotate relative to the coupling carrier in different directions, thereby effectively keeping the connections closed, with each pump functioning autonomously when both axle shafts rotate in the same direction relative to the coupling carrier. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The written description of the present invention will be more fully understood when read with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: 
     FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of an axle drive embodying and carrying out the present invention, the section being through the longitudinal axis of the axle shafts. 
     FIG. 2 is an axial view of an intermediate housing wall of the axle drive shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b  show a shear-channel-and-control element of the axle drive shown in FIG. 1 in a first axial view and a second axial view, respectively. 
     FIG. 4 shows partial developed circumferential sections through the intermediate housing wall in FIG. 2, with the shear-channel-and-control elements of FIG. 3 resting there-against, in four different positions: 
     a) with the two reversing elements rotating at identical first relative speeds relative to the intermediate housing wall (both leading); 
     b) with the two reversing elements rotating at different relative speeds in a first sense (first element following, second element leading); 
     c) with the two reversing elements rotating at identical second relative speeds relative to the intermediate housing wall (both following); 
     d) with the two reversing elements rotating at different relative speeds in a second sense (first element leading, second element following). 
     FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the functions of an axle drive embodying and carrying out the present invention in the operational condition shown in FIG. 4 a.    
     FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the functions of an axle drive embodying and carrying out the present invention in the operational condition shown in FIG. 4 b.    
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 shows an axle drive with an axle drive housing  11 , a coupling carrier  12  rotatably supported therein, and two axle shafts  13 ,  14  supported in the coupling carrier. The coupling carrier  12  is connected to a crown wheel  15  by means of which it is driveable via pinions by a propulsion shaft extending perpendicularly relative to the shaft of the axle shafts  13 ,  14 . The coupling carrier  12  is provided with a central, radial intermediate housing wall  16 . The coupling carrier  12  is supported by roller bearings  17 ,  18  in the axle drive housing  11 . The axle shafts  13 ,  14  are supported by friction bearings  19 ,  20  in the coupling carrier  12 . The axle drive housing  11  is sealed outwardly by seals  21 .  22 . In the coupling carrier  12 , there are arranged two friction couplings  25 ,  26  and two pump units  33 ,  34 . 
     The outer plates of the friction coupling assemblies  25 ,  26  engage the coupling carrier  12  and inner plates are rigidly connected to hubs  35 ,  36  which are each non-rotatably secured and axially moveable way to the axle shafts  13 ,  14 . The friction couplings  25 ,  26  are loaded by first pistons  37 ,  38  which, in the present embodiment, are formed integrally with the hubs  35 ,  36 . The hubs  35 ,  36  are therefore axially moveable relative to the axle shafts  13 ,  14 , and are supported by plate springs  27 ,  28  on the coupling carrier  12 . 
     Sleeve elements  23 ,  24  are bolted to each side of the intermediate wall  16 . The first pistons  37 ,  38 , together with the sleeve elements  23 ,  24  and the coupling carrier  12 , form pressure chambers  39 ,  40 . The pressure chambers  39 ,  40  contain shear plates  51 ,  52  and shear-channel-and-control elements  41 ,  42  which are driven by the hubs  35 ,  36  and which are provided with circumferential grooves  47 ,  48 . The shear-channel-and-control elements  41 ,  42  are each rotatable by a limited circumferential angle relative to the coupling carrier  12 . For this purpose, they are provided with cams  67  which engage pockets  63  in the sleeve elements  23 ,  24  with circumferential play. The circumferential grooves  47 ,  48  are closed by the shear plates  51 ,  52  which, by toothings, are non-rotatably connected to the pistons  37 ,  38  and thus, via hubs  35 ,  36 , to the axle shafts  13 ,  14 . Resilient o-rings  55 ,  56  hold the shear plates  51 ,  52  in contact with he shear-channel-and-control elements  41 ,  42 . Inside the sleeve elements  23 ,  24 , there are reservoirs  43 ,  44  whose volumes vary and which are delimited by displaceable second pistons  77 ,  78 . The latter are supported by means of pressure springs  45 ,  46  on the axle shafts  13 ,  14 . In the intermediate housing wall  16 , there is a radial channel  57  which connects the reservoirs  43 ,  44  via control apertures in the sleeve elements  23 ,  24  and in the shear-channel-and-control elements  41 ,  42  to the circumferential grooves  47 ,  48 . 
     FIG. 2 is a plan view of the intermediate housing wall  16  with the sleeve part  23  resting thereon. It shows, in dashed lines, two radial inner channels  57 ,  58  in the housing wall  16  which are arranged at an angular distance of  2   a  relative to one another and which end in axial through apertures  59 ,  60 . A radial groove  61  is arranged symmetrically therebetween and recessed only in the radial wall of the sleeve element  23 . Also, the radial wall of the sleeve element  23  is provided with a pocket  63  comprising two stop edges  65 ,  66  arranged at an effective angular distance of a relative to one another, taking into account the circumferential extension of a cam  67  shown in two positions. Second through-apertures  71 ,  72 ,  73 ,  74  are arranged in pairs and positioned symmetrically relative to the first through-apertures  59 ,  60 . A radial groove corresponding to the radial groove  61  is arranged on the opposite side of the intermediate housing wall  16 , with a pocket corresponding to the pocket  63  also being provided on the opposite side. 
     FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b  shows one of the shear-channel-and-control elements  41  in two views. FIG. 3 a  shows the obverse or front side which rests against the shear plate  51 , and FIG. 3 b  shows the reverse side which rests against the radial wall of the sleeve element  23 . 
     On the obverse side, the circumferential groove  47  is provided at its ends with control apertures  49 ,  83 . The reverse side is also shown to have control apertures  83 ,  49  positioned in the region of a sealing face  69 . Also, there is provided a cam  67  which engages the pocket  63 , so that the reversing element is rotatable by the angle a relative to the intermediate housing wall. Additionally, the reverse side of the reversing element is shown to have a radial groove  81  which, in the illustrated position of the reversing element  41  relative to the intermediate housing wall, overlaps with the through-hole  71 . A further feature on the obverse side is a circumferential groove  47  which is delimited circumferentially and whose ends are provided with drop-shaped control apertures  49 ,  83  which are of different lengths and of which the shorter one is able to cover one of the through-apertures  71 ,  72 ,  73 ,  74 , with the longer one being able to cover one of the through-apertures  72 ,  73  and one of the radial channels  61 ,  62 . The larger ends of the control apertures  49 ,  83  whose diameter corresponds to that of the through-apertures  59 ,  60  are angularly spaced from one another by the angle a. 
     The second shear-channel-and-control element fully corresponds to the first one so that, with the symmetrical arrangement relative to the intermediate housing wall, the control apertures with their different lengths adjoin one another in opposite directions of rotation. 
     FIG. 4 shows partial developed circumferential sections through the intermediate housing wall  16  in four variations, the reversing elements  41 ,  42  contacting the intermediate housing wall  16  and the shear plates  51 ,  52  contacting the reversing elements  41 ,  42 . The intermediate housing wall is shown to have the inner channels  57 ,  58  with the through-apertures  59 ,  60 , the radial grooves  61 ,  62  and the additional through-apertures  71 ,  72 ,  73 ,  74 . At the reversing elements  41 ,  42  are the circumferential grooves  47 ,  48 , which, at their ends, comprise the control apertures  49 ,  50 ,  83 ,  84 . Finally, the control elements  41 ,  42  are provided with the radial grooves  81 ,  82  that are not visible together in all illustrations. Arrows indicate the relative motion of the shear plates  51 ,  52  relative to the intermediate housing wall  16 . As a result of this relative movement, the respective illustrated positions of the reversing elements  41 ,  42  are assumed after a very short reversing time. When comparing the individual Figures, it should be noted that the inner channels  57 ,  58  are each connected to the reservoir so as to be open, with the radial grooves  61 ,  62  and the radial grooves  81 ,  82  in the reversing elements being connected to the pressure chambers  39 ,  40  in the same way. 
     In FIG. 4 a,  with identical relative speeds (e.g., leading), the suction ends  58 ,  60  are connected exclusively via the control apertures  49 ,  84  and the circumferential grooves  47 ,  48  in the reversing elements and via the control apertures  83 ,  50  to the pressure ends  61 ,  62 . The additional through-apertures  71 ,  72 ,  73 ,  74  are covered by at least one of each the control elements  41 ,  42 . 
     In FIG. 4 b,  with different relative speeds (upper half following, lower half leading), the suction ends  57 ,  59 ,  58 ,  60  are connected via the control apertures  49 ,  84 , the circumferential grooves  47 ,  48  and the control apertures  84 ,  50  to the respective pressure ends  61 ,  62 . The additional through-apertures  71 ,  72 ,  73 ,  74  are covered by at least one of the control elements  41 ,  42 . 
     In FIG. 4 c,  with identical relative speeds (following), only the respective suction ends  57 ,  59  are connected via the control apertures  49 ,  84 , the circumferential grooves  47 ,  48 , and the control apertures  83 ,  50  to the respective pressure ends  61 ,  62 . The additional through-apertures  71 ,  72 ,  73 ,  74  are covered by at least one of the respective control elements  41 ,  42 . 
     In FIG. 4 d,  with different relative speeds (upper half leading, lower half following), the suction ends ( 57 ,  59 ;  58 ,  60 ) are connected directly via the control apertures  49 ,  50 , the additional through-apertures  72 ,  73  and the control apertures  83 ,  84  to the opposed pressure ends ( 61 ,  62 ). 
     In FIGS. 5 and 6, containing the same reference numbers, the respective parts are shown symbolically in a diagram indicating the principle involved. Friction couplings  25 ,  26  are loaded by associated actuating devices  31 ,  32  whose elements building up pressure, in total, are referred to as pump units  33 ,  34 . In addition to the previously mentioned details, the axle shafts  13 ,  14  are illustrated symbolically; there is also shown a propulsion shaft  29  with a bevel gear  30  which drives the crown gear  15  at the coupling carrier  12 . Arrows indicate the effect of the pistons  37 ,  38 . The suction ends of the pump units  33 ,  34  are connected to a common reservoir  44 . 
     In FIG. 5, identical circular arrows symbolize the identical relative speeds of the axle shafts  13 ,  14  relative to the coupling carrier  12  (e.g., leading). The pressure ends of the pump units  33 ,  34  are connected to the pressure chambers  39 ,  40 . 
     In FIG. 6, opposed circular arrows (following on the left, leading on the right) symbolize the opposed relative speeds of the axle shafts  13 ,  14  relative to the coupling carrier  12 . The respective suction ends of the pump units  33 ,  34  are connected cross-wise to the pressure ends, so that the pressure chambers  39 ,  40  remain pressure-less. 
     Certain modifications and variations of the disclosed embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are intended to be illustrative only, and not in any way restrictive of the scope of the invention as defined by the claims set forth hereunder.