Patent ID: 7957870

Claim:
A torque distribution system for a vehicle having a first and a second wheel axially-aligned with one another, and first and second rotatable connecting elements continuously operatively connected for rotation with the first and the second wheel, respectively, comprising: a planetary gear set having a first, a second and a third member; an electric motor; a selectively engagable clutch that connects the first and the second members of the planetary gear set for common rotation when engaged; wherein the second and third members of the planetary gear set are continuously operatively connected with the first and the second rotatable connecting elements, respectively; and wherein the motor is continuously connected to the first member of the planetary gear set such that the motor adds or subtracts torque to the first member when the motor is energized and adds or subtracts torque to both the first and the second member when the motor is energized and the clutch is engaged; the motor, the planetary gear set and the clutch thereby being configured to cause a difference in torque between the rotatable connecting elements when the clutch is disengaged.