Patent ID: 8172720

Claim:
A differential generation power distribution system for an all-wheel-drive vehicle, comprising: a rotational power unit ( 1000 ) having an output that supplies rotational power; a main transmission ( 1110 ); a first controllable clutch ( 1002 ) coupled to the output of the rotational power unit and to an input of the main transmission for selectively disengaging the rotational power unit from the main transmission; a front end differential transmission ( 1006 ) for transmitting rotational power from the main transmission to at least one front wheel; a rear end differential transmission ( 1113 ) for transmitting rotational power from the main transmission to at least one rear wheel; a rotational electric machine assembly ( 1040 ) provided between the main transmission and the rear end differential transmission and selectively operable as a motor and a generator, said rotational electric machine assembly including a first electric machine ( 1041 ) and a second electric machine ( 1042 ); a second controllable clutch ( 1120 ) coupled between an output ( 1111 ) of the main transmission and the first electric machine for selectively coupling the first electric machine to the output of the main transmission; a third controllable clutch ( 1123 ) coupled between the second electric machine and the rear end differential transmission for selectively coupling the second electric machine to the rear end differential transmission; a fourth controllable clutch ( 1116 ) directly coupled between the output of the main transmission and the rear end differential transmission for selectively coupling the main transmission directly to the rear end differential transmission; a rechargeable device ( 1117 ); a drive control device ( 1115 ) for selectively operating said first, second, third, and fourth controllable clutches, and the first and second electric machines, and for supplying electric power to and from the first and second electric machines to selectively operate said first and second electrical machines as respective motors or as respective generators for supplying electricity to said rechargeable device; and a central control ( 1118 ) for controlling operation of the drive control device, whereby, by controlling the second, third, and fourth clutches, power is selectively transmitted directly from the main transmission to the rear end load, from the main transmission to both the rear end load and the rotational electrical machine assembly such that the rotational electrical machine assembly further drives the rear end load or charges the rechargeable device, and from the rear end load to the rotational electrical machine assembly so that the rotational electrical machine assembly charges the rechargeable device during regenerative braking, said rotational electrical machine further regulating and distributing power between the rear end and front end loads during all-wheel driving.