阅读说明：本技术 具有断开滑行功能的串列桥 (Tandem axle with break-off sliding function ) 是由 M·A·戴维斯 G·A·威尔福德 A·T·布拉默 于 2018-05-03 设计创作，主要内容包括：本文提供了一种断开和连接驱动地连接到车辆的发动机(206)和变速器(204)的串列桥系统(100)的元件的方法,包括以下步骤：提供串列桥系统(100),其具有：与发动机驱动地接合的桥间差速器和离合器组件(102),其中桥间差速器和离合器组件包括桥间差速器(108)和桥间差速器锁(110)；包括差速器组件(116)、断开组件(114)和两个车桥半轴(104a、104b)的前桥组件(104)；以及包括差速器组件(120)、断开组件(122)和两个车桥半轴(106a、106b)的后桥组件(106)；提供与桥间差速器锁、断开组件和发动机通信的控制系统(300)；检测(402)断开机会；指令(404)发动机扭矩设为零；断开(406)前桥和后桥组件的车桥半轴；接合(408)桥间差速器锁；以及允许(410)发动机空转。(a method of disconnecting and connecting elements of a tandem axle system (100) drivingly connected to an engine (206) and a transmission (204) of a vehicle is provided, comprising the steps of: providing a tandem bridge system (100) having: an inter-axle differential and clutch assembly (102) drivingly engaged with the engine, wherein the inter-axle differential and clutch assembly includes an inter-axle differential (108) and an inter-axle differential lock (110); a forward axle assembly (104) including a differential assembly (116), a disconnect assembly (114), and two axle half shafts (104a, 104 b); and a rear axle assembly (106) including a differential assembly (120), a disconnect assembly (122), and two axle half shafts (106a, 106 b); providing a control system (300) in communication with the inter-axle differential lock, disconnect assembly, and engine; detecting (402) a disconnect opportunity; commanding (404) an engine torque to zero; disconnecting (406) the axle half shafts of the front axle and rear axle assemblies; engaging (408) an inter-axle differential lock; and allowing (410) the engine to idle.)

1. A method of disconnecting and connecting elements of a tandem axle system drivingly connected to an engine and a transmission of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

Providing a tandem bridge system, said tandem bridge system comprising:

an inter-axle differential and clutch assembly in driving engagement with the engine, wherein the inter-axle differential and clutch assembly includes an inter-axle differential and an inter-axle differential lock;

A forward axle assembly including a differential assembly, a disconnect assembly and two axle half shafts, wherein the disconnect assembly selectively connects the axle half shafts to the differential assembly; and

A rear axle assembly including a differential assembly, a disconnect assembly and two axle half shafts, wherein the disconnect assembly selectively connects the axle half shafts to the differential assembly;

Providing a control system in communication with the inter-axle differential lock, the disconnect assembly, and the engine;

Detecting a disconnection opportunity;

Commanding the engine torque to be set to zero;

disconnecting the axle half shafts of the front axle assembly and the rear axle assembly;

engaging the inter-axle differential lock; and

allowing the engine to idle.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein a disconnect opportunity is detected when the vehicle has reached a predetermined cruise speed.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein a disconnect opportunity is detected when the vehicle has reached a predetermined torque limit.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein engaging the inter-axle differential lock occurs prior to disconnecting the axle half shafts of the front and rear axle assemblies.

5. the method of claim 1, wherein engaging the inter-axle differential lock occurs simultaneously with disconnecting the axle half shafts of the front and rear axle assemblies.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

Detecting a reconnection opportunity;

matching the rotational speeds of the axle half shafts across the front and rear axle assemblies;

Reconnecting the axle half shafts of the front axle assembly and the rear axle assembly;

Disengaging the inter-axle differential lock; and

Returning control of the engine to operation of the vehicle.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein a reconnection opportunity is detected when the vehicle has decelerated to a predetermined axle reconnection speed.

8. the method of claim 6, wherein a reconnection opportunity is detected when the vehicle has reached a predetermined torque limit.

background

Tandem axle assemblies are widely used in trucks and other load carrying vehicles. Tandem axle assemblies typically include a front axle and a rear axle. Typically, both axles are driven, and in some cases, only one axle is driven. The tandem axle assembly may be designated as a 6 x 4 tandem axle assembly when the front and rear axles are drivingly engaged. The tandem axle assembly may be designated as a 6 x 2 tandem axle assembly when either of the front and rear axles are drivingly engaged.

Many tandem axle assemblies disconnect the vehicle transmission during coasting to improve fuel economy. Currently, when the vehicle is coasting (coast), the automatic transmission is placed in neutral to reduce driveline losses and improve fuel economy. This requires additional hardware or software, increasing the cost and complexity of the system.

accordingly, there is a need for a method of disconnecting the connecting components of a tandem axle assembly to provide increased fuel economy. It will be appreciated that when the axle is disconnected from the drive train, power losses are reduced, thereby improving drive train efficiency. The method described herein provides greater driveline efficiency by disengaging one or both of the axle shafts of the tandem drive axles during coasting conditions.

Disclosure of Invention

A method of disconnecting and connecting elements of a tandem axle system drivingly connected to an engine and a transmission of a vehicle is provided, the method comprising the steps of: providing a tandem bridge system, the tandem bridge system comprising: an inter-axle differential and clutch assembly drivingly engaged with the engine, wherein the inter-axle differential and clutch assembly includes an inter-axle differential and an inter-axle differential lock; a front axle assembly including a differential assembly, a disconnect assembly and two axle half shafts, wherein the disconnect assembly selectively connects the axle half shafts to the differential assembly; and a rear axle assembly including a differential assembly, a disconnect assembly and two axle half shafts, wherein the disconnect assembly selectively connects the axle half shafts to the differential assembly; providing a control system in communication with the inter-axle differential lock, disconnect assembly, and engine; detecting a disconnection opportunity; commanded engine torque is set to zero; disconnecting the axle half shafts of the front axle and the rear axle assembly; engaging an inter-axle differential lock; and allowing the engine to idle.

In some embodiments, the disconnection opportunity is detected when the vehicle has reached a predetermined cruising speed.

in some embodiments, a disconnect opportunity is detected when the vehicle has reached a predetermined torque limit.

In some embodiments, engaging the inter-axle differential locks occurs before disconnecting the axle half shafts of the front and rear axle assemblies.

in some embodiments, engaging the inter-axle differential locks occurs simultaneously with disconnecting the axle half shafts of the front and rear axle assemblies.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises the steps of: detecting a reconnection opportunity; matching the rotational speeds of axle half shafts across the front and rear axle assemblies; reconnecting the axle half shafts of the front axle and the rear axle assembly; disengaging the inter-axle differential lock; and returning control of the engine to an operator of the vehicle.

in some embodiments, a reconnection opportunity is detected when the vehicle has decelerated to a predetermined axle reconnection speed.

In some embodiments, a reconnection opportunity is detected when the vehicle has reached a predetermined torque limit.

drawings

The above and other advantages of the present embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description when considered in view of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a tandem bridge system;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a transmission system including the tandem axle system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a method of disconnecting elements of a tandem axle system in a coast down mode of operation;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a method of disconnecting elements of a tandem axle system in a coast down mode of operation;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a method of reconnecting elements of a tandem axle system in a coast mode of operation;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a method of disconnecting elements of a tandem axle system in a coast down mode of operation;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a method of disconnecting elements of a serial bridge system in a drive mode of operation; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a method of reconnecting elements of a serial bridge system in a drive mode of operation.

Detailed Description

It is to be understood that the present embodiments may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions, directions or other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed are not to be considered as limiting, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

embodiments described herein relate to a serial bridge system and a method of operating the same.

And more particularly to a method of connecting and disconnecting elements of a tandem axle system using a control system in a coasting mode of operation to increase fuel efficiency.

In some embodiments, a tandem bridge system has at least two bridge assemblies, wherein one bridge assembly may be selectively engaged/disengaged. Specifically, the tandem bridge system may be as disclosed in U.S. patent No. 8,523,738 and U.S. patent No. 8,911,321, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. Exemplary embodiments of a tandem bridge system are disclosed in the above-referenced U.S. patent No. 8,523,738 and U.S. patent No. 8,911,321. However, it should be understood that the tandem bridge system may include fewer or more components or parts or have various configurations.

FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of a tandem bridge system 100 that may be used with the control system 300 described herein. Tandem axle system 100 includes an inter-axle differential and clutch assembly 102, a front axle assembly 104, and a rear axle assembly 106. Front and rear axle assemblies 104 and 106 are selectively drivingly engaged with inter-axle differential and clutch assembly 102.

In some embodiments, the axle of rear axle assembly 106 and the axle of front axle assembly 104 are of different sizes depending on the function assigned to each assembly.

In some embodiments, inter-axle differential and clutch assembly 102 includes an inter-axle differential (IAD)108 and an inter-axle differential lock 110. The IAD 108 is configured to distribute input torque between the front axle assembly 104 and the rear axle assembly 106. In some embodiments, the input shaft 112 transfers torque from the driveline to the IAD 108.

In some embodiments, the vehicle operator or the control system 300 selectively engages and disengages the IAD lock 110, thereby overriding or disabling the IAD 108. In one embodiment, the IAD lock 110 is a sliding dog clutch (slipping dog clutch) that is triggered using an actuator. In some embodiments, the actuator is a pneumatic actuator.

In some embodiments, the front axle assembly 104 includes a differential assembly 116 and a disconnect assembly 114, as shown in FIG. 1. A disconnect package 114 selectively connects a differential assembly 116 to the axle half shafts 104a, 104b of the front axle assembly 104.

In some embodiments, the front axle assembly 104 includes a differential lock assembly 118.

in some embodiments, rear axle assembly 106 includes a differential assembly 120 and a disconnect assembly 122, as shown in FIG. 1. A disconnect package 122 selectively connects the differential assembly 120 to the axle half shafts 106a, 106b of the rear axle assembly 106.

in some embodiments, the differential lock assembly 118 is located in the rear axle assembly 106.

In some embodiments, the differential lock assembly 118 is located in one of the front axle assembly 104 or the rear axle assembly 106, while the axle disconnect assembly is located in the other axle assembly.

Disconnect assemblies 114, 122 are positioned on one axle shaft of each axle assembly 104, 106, as shown in fig. 2, and include disconnect/reconnect clutches and actuators. The actuator may be, but is not limited to, a pneumatic two-position actuator for operating the clutch. In some embodiments, the axle shafts have axle disconnect/reconnect clutches of similar design as differential lock clutch 118.

In some embodiments, the differential lock clutch 118 is operated by a pneumatic two-position actuator.

As shown in fig. 2, the input shaft 112 of the tandem axle system 100 is part of a vehicle driveline 200.

in some embodiments, the tandem axle system 100 is drivingly connected to the transmission 204. The transmission 204 is drivingly connected to an engine 206 or other source of rotational power of the vehicle.

In some embodiments, the transmission 204 may be, but is not limited to, an automatic manual transmission, a dual clutch transmission, an automatic transmission, or a manual transmission.

In some embodiments, the vehicle includes a control system 300. The control system 300 allows an operator and/or controller of the vehicle to control the tandem axle system 100.

in some embodiments, the control system 300 includes at least one controller and one or more sensors or sensor arrays. The sensors may be smart sensors, self-verifying sensors, and smart sensors with embedded diagnostic functionality. The controller is configured to receive the signal and communicate with the sensor.

one or more sensors are used to monitor the performance of the transmission system 200. Sensors may collect data from the driveline of the vehicle, including but not limited to torque and rotational speed of axle half shafts. The rotational speed and torque are indicative of the rotational speed and torque of the engine. In one embodiment, the sensors are mounted along the axle half shafts of the drivetrain 200, but may be mounted elsewhere on the vehicle.

In one embodiment, the control system 300 includes additional discrete sensors in addition to sensors already included in other components of the vehicle. In another embodiment, no additional sensors or sensed data relay systems are required other than those already included in the drive train system 200.

In one embodiment, the control system 300 includes additional discrete sensors in addition to sensors already included in other components of the vehicle. In another embodiment, no additional sensors or sensed data relay systems are required other than those already included in the drive train system 200.

The control system 300 may also include a vehicle communication data link in communication with the sensors and the controller. The sensors generate signals that may be transmitted directly to the controller or may be transmitted to the controller via a data link or similar network. In one embodiment, the controller may be integrated into an existing controller system of the vehicle, including but not limited to an engine controller, a transmission controller, etc., or may be a separate unit included in the control system 300. The controller may communicate messages of the vehicle communication data link (communication link J1939 or the like) to other components of the drive train system 200, including but not limited to the engine.

In one embodiment, the controller is an Electronic Control Unit (ECU). The ECU herein may be configured solely with hardware, or run software, that allows the ECU to send, receive, process, and store data, and to electrically communicate with sensors, other components of the powertrain system 200, or other ECUs in the vehicle.

Additionally, the controller may include a microprocessor. The microprocessor is capable of receiving signals and performing calculations based on these signals and stored data received from the sensors and/or programmed into the microprocessor.

The control system 300 allows an operator and/or controller of the vehicle to control the tandem axle system 100.

In some embodiments, control system 300 includes an engine control unit 302, a transmission control unit 304, and an axle control unit 306. The control units 302, 304, 306 and a central controller (not shown) are in electronic communication with each other.

The axle control unit 306 communicates with the inter-axle differential locks 110, the differential locks 118, and the disconnect assemblies 114, 122.

the tandem axle system 100 has multiple modes of operation depending on the position of the inter-axle differential lock 110.

In some embodiments, the tandem bridge system 100 may be set to a 6 x 2 mode of operation or a 6 x 4 mode of operation. In the 6 x 4 mode of operation, both front axle assembly 104 and rear axle assembly 106 are drivingly engaged with input shaft 112 of tandem axle system 100 through IAD 108. In the 6 x 2 mode of operation, by placing the IAD 108 in the locked state (i.e., the IAD lock 110 is engaged), only the rear axle assembly 106 is drivingly engaged with the input shaft 112 of the tandem axle system 100, while the front axle assembly 104 is disconnected at the disconnect assembly 114.

By disconnecting only one or both axles along the transmission 200 and placing the transmission 200 in a coast down mode, the overall fuel economy of the transmission may be improved by reducing friction and spin losses. The coast mode may be used for 4 × 2, 6 × 2, 8 × 2 single drive axle configurations as well as 6 × 4, 8 × 4 or other tandem axle system drive configurations, including low entry front, high entry front, and through-the-axle front configurations.

When the tandem axle system 100 is placed in a coast mode using the control system 300, elements of the tandem axle system 100 may be connected and disconnected from the drive train 200.

As shown in FIG. 3, in one embodiment, in the coast mode of operation, the control system 300 first determines 402 whether a driveline disconnect opportunity exists.

In some embodiments, the determination of the driveline disconnect opportunity is made by the control system 300, and the control system 300 receives a signal from the control units 302, 304, 306 and/or the operator to signal that a disconnect opportunity exists. The signal may be sent from the axle control unit 306, the engine control unit 302, and/or the transmission control unit 304 or another part of the vehicle.

In some embodiments, a disconnect opportunity exists when the control system 300 receives a signal from the control units 302, 304, 306 indicating that the vehicle has accelerated to a predetermined cruise speed, or that the torque demand is below a threshold, a predetermined threshold, or that engine braking is not expected, or that other critical operating parameters are met. If the data indicates that the demand is below a predetermined threshold, the drive train 200 may float (i.e., provide zero engine torque) and a disconnect opportunity exists.

Once a disconnect opportunity is detected, the control system 300 sends a signal to the engine 206 to reach the zero torque setpoint 404. By setting the engine torque set point to zero, the control system 300 floats the driveline 200.

Next, the control system 300 sends a signal to disconnect the front and rear axle half shafts 406 by disengaging the disconnect clutches of the disconnect assemblies 114, 122.

next, the control system 300 sends a signal to lock the IAD 408. In some embodiments, the IAD 108 is locked using an inter-axle differential lock 110.

Finally, the rotation of the engine 206 is allowed to fall to an idle (idle) mode 410.

in some embodiments, the control system 300 returns engine control to the operator or other controller of the vehicle.

In some embodiments, the IAD 108 is locked prior to disconnecting the front and rear axles using the disconnect assemblies 114, 122, as shown in fig. 4.

In some embodiments, the IAD 108 is locked while the front and rear axles are disconnected.

Once the vehicle is placed in the coast mode of operation and the axle is disconnected, the system 100 may be reconnected when the control system 300 uses logic to determine whether a reconnection opportunity 502 exists, or a reconnection signal is received from the control system 300, the control system 300 including, but not limited to, the engine control unit 302 and/or the transmission control unit 304 shown in fig. 2.

The opportunity for reconnection exists when the control system 300 receives a signal indicating that the vehicle has decelerated to a predetermined axle reconnection speed or other critical operating parameter such as torque meeting a desired predetermined threshold.

If there is an opportunity for reconnection, the control system 300 adjusts the rotational speed across the axle and disconnect assemblies 114, 122 to match them 504. In some embodiments, the speed of the axle is matched by controlling engine RPM and by monitoring wheel speed via a wheel speed sensor or ABS wheel speed information to match the speed across the disconnect assemblies 114, 122.

Next, the control system 300 reconnects 506 the axle shaft of the one or more disconnected axle assemblies, and the IAD is unlocked 508.

in some embodiments, the axle shafts are reconnected using disconnect assemblies 114, 122.

Once the axle is reconnected, the control system 300 returns control of the engine to the operator of the vehicle or to the controller for normal operation 510.

in another embodiment, the tandem axle system 100 utilizes the transmission 206 to initiate a coast mode of operation, as shown in FIG. 7. In this method, the transmission is placed in neutral 704. Next, one of the disconnect assemblies 114, 122 is used to disconnect the axle half shafts 706 of one of the front or rear axle assemblies 104, 106, as described above. The IAD 108 is then locked 708, as described above.

In this mode of operation, only the axle half shafts of one of the front or rear axle assemblies are disconnected, which reduces the cost and complexity of the overall tandem system 100. Additionally, this mode of operation increases the efficiency provided by the neutral coast position of the transmission 206 by reducing the friction contribution from one axle.

In some embodiments, tandem axle system 100 provides additional efficiency by utilizing existing disconnect assemblies 114, 122 and IAD lock 110 to disconnect axle half shafts of one axle in a drive mode of operation and to drive with one axle, as shown in FIG. 6. In this mode of operation, the axle half shafts of one of front axle assembly 104 or rear axle assembly 106 are disconnected.

When the control system 300 detects a disconnect opportunity 602, the control system 300 commands a zero-torque engine set point 604. Next, the IAD is locked 606. The front or rear axle half shafts are then disconnected 608. Finally, engine control is returned to the operator/vehicle 610.

When the control system detects a reconnection opportunity 802, the control system 300 commands a zero torque engine set point 804, the disconnected axle half shafts are reconnected 806, the IAD is unlocked 808, and engine control is returned to the operator/vehicle 810 as shown in FIG. 8.

by using the disconnect assemblies 114, 122 to stop torque transfer to the axle half shafts, the remaining components of the tandem axle system 100 are not required to stop rotating. Thus, the time required to bring the system 100 to a predetermined reconnection rate is reduced compared to systems where other rotating components must be stopped.

The drive mode axle disconnect method allows for two different sized axles (front and rear axles) depending on the function assigned to each axle. This allows fuel economy, weight, cost, etc. to be optimized as an improvement over tandem axle systems that always engage both axles.

In some embodiments, the control system 300 receives additional information regarding vehicle loads and other operating characteristics, including information obtained from other vehicle sensors, to determine whether the axle assembly can be disconnected without exceeding the capabilities of the remaining axle assemblies.

in some embodiments, the tandem axle system 100 includes a mechanism for distributing weight between the front and rear axle assemblies 104, 106. In some embodiments, the weight-dispensing mechanism is a permanent or variable mechanism for further efficiency by creating a weight bias when the axle is disconnected.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the present disclosure has been described in what is considered to represent its preferred embodiments. It should be noted, however, that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope.

The aspects of the present invention described above include:

Aspect 1: a method of disconnecting and connecting elements of a tandem axle system drivingly connected to an engine and a transmission of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

Providing a tandem bridge system comprising:

An inter-axle differential and clutch assembly drivingly engaged with the engine, wherein the inter-axle differential and clutch assembly includes an inter-axle differential and an inter-axle differential lock;

A front axle assembly including a differential assembly, a disconnect assembly and two axle half shafts, wherein the disconnect assembly selectively connects the axle half shafts to the differential assembly; and

a rear axle assembly including a differential assembly, a disconnect assembly and two axle half shafts, wherein the disconnect assembly selectively connects the axle half shafts to the differential assembly;

providing a control system in communication with the inter-axle differential lock, disconnect assembly, and engine;

Detecting a disconnection opportunity;

commanded engine torque is set to zero;

Disconnecting the axle half shafts of the front axle and the rear axle assembly;

Engaging an inter-axle differential lock; and

The engine is allowed to idle.

Aspect 2: the method of aspect 1, wherein the disconnection opportunity is detected when the vehicle has reached a predetermined cruising speed.

aspect 3: the method of aspect 1, wherein the opportunity to disconnect is detected when the vehicle has reached a predetermined torque limit.

Aspect 4: the method of aspect 1, wherein engaging the inter-axle differential lock occurs before disconnecting the axle half shafts of the front and rear axle assemblies.

aspect 5: the method of aspect 1, wherein engaging the inter-axle differential lock occurs simultaneously with disengaging the axle half shafts of the front and rear axle assemblies.

Aspect 6: the method of aspect 1, further comprising the steps of:

detecting a reconnection opportunity;

matching the rotational speeds of axle half shafts across the front and rear axle assemblies;

Reconnecting the axle half shafts of the front axle and the rear axle assembly;

Disengaging the inter-axle differential lock; and

Control of the engine is returned to the operator of the vehicle.

Aspect 7: the method of aspect 6, wherein the reconnection opportunity is detected when the vehicle has decelerated to a predetermined axle reconnection speed.

Aspect 8: the method of aspect 6, wherein the reconnection opportunity is detected when the vehicle has reached a predetermined torque limit.