Patent ID: 7175558

Claim:
A drive axle assembly for use in a motor vehicle having a powertrain and first and second wheels, comprising; an input shaft driven by the powertrain; a first axleshaft driving the first wheel; a second axleshaft driving the second wheel; a differential 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; a first speed changing unit having a first sun gear driven by said first output component, a first ring gear, and a set of first planet gears meshed with said first sun gear and said first ring gear; a second speed changing unit having a second sun gear driven by said second output component, a second ring gear, and a set of second planet gears meshed with said second sun gear and said second ring gear; a first friction clutch selectively engageable to brake rotation of said first ring gear; a first clutch actuator for controlling engagement of said first friction clutch and including a first operator unit for applying a clutch engagement force to said first friction clutch, a first worm drive mechanism coupled to said first operator unit and first electric motor driving said first worm drive mechanism; a second friction clutch selectively engageable to brake rotation of said second ring gear; a second clutch actuator for controlling engagement of said second friction clutch and including a second operator unit for applying a clutch engagement force on said second friction clutch, a second worm drive mechanism coupled to said second operator unit and a second electric motor driving said second worm drive mechanism; and a control system for controlling actuation of said first and second electric motors.