Powered axle differential

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9334940-B2
Application number	US-201414291846-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 30, 2014
Priority date	Feb 11, 2014
Publication date	May 10, 2016
Grant date	May 10, 2016

Abstract

A power transfer assembly is described for power transmission from a power source to one or more rotating components. The power transfer assembly includes a power source capable of providing torque output, a first one-way clutch configured to receive torque input from the power source, and a second one-way clutch configured to receive torque input from the power source. The first one-way clutch is configured to transmit at least a first portion of the received torque input to a first half-axle. The second one-way clutch is configured to transmit at least a second portion of the received torque input to a second half-axle.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A power transfer assembly for transmitting power from a power source to a rotating component comprising:
a power source capable of providing torque output;
a first one-way clutch configured to receive torque input from the power source; and
a second one-way clutch configured to receive torque input from the power source;
wherein the first one-way clutch is further configured to transmit at least a first portion of the received torque input to a first half-axle,
wherein the second one-way clutch is further configured to transmit at least a second portion of the received torque input to a second half-axle, and
wherein no differential, other than the first and the second one-way clutches, is interposed between the power source and either of the first and the second half-axles for the transmission of power from the power source to either of the first and the second half-axles.

2. The power transfer assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least one gear reduction is interposed between the power source and the first and second one-way clutches, the torque input being transmitted to the first and second one-way clutches via the at least one gear reduction.

3. The power transfer assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least one gear reduction is interposed between the first one-way clutch and a wheel connected to the first half-axle, the first portion of the received torque input being transmitted to the wheel via the gear reduction.

4. The power transfer assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and the second one-way clutches includes a sprag clutch.

5. The power transfer assembly of claim 4 , wherein each of the first and the second one-way clutches includes a sprag clutch, and
wherein the first and the second one-way clutches include a shared input race, the shared input race being configured to receive torque input from the power source and transmit the torque input, at least in part, to both a first output race included in the first one-way clutch and a second output race included in the second one-way clutch.

6. The power transfer assembly of claim 1 , wherein the power source includes an infinitely variable prime mover.

7. The power transfer assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first and the second half-axles form part of a powered trailer axle.

8. The power transfer assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and the second one-way clutches includes a mechanical diode.

9. The power transfer assembly of claim 8 , wherein each of the first and the second one-way clutches includes a mechanical diode, and
wherein the first and the second one-way clutches include a shared input ring, the shared input ring being configured to receive torque input from the power source and transmit the torque input, at least in part, to both a first output ring included in the first one-way clutch and a second output ring included in the second one-way clutch.

10. A work vehicle comprising:
a power source capable of providing torque output;
a first one-way clutch configured to receive torque input from the power source; and
a second one-way clutch configured to receive torque input from the power source;
wherein the first one-way clutch is further configured to transmit at least a first portion of the received torque input to a first half-axle,
wherein the second one-way clutch is further configured to transmit at least a second portion of the received torque input to a second half-axle, and
wherein no differential, other than the first and the second one-way clutches, is interposed between the power source and either of the first and the second half-axles for the transmission of power from the power source to either of the first and the second half-axles.

11. The work vehicle of claim 10 , wherein at least one gear reduction is interposed between the power source and the first and second one-way clutches, the torque input being transmitted to the first and second one-way clutches via the at least one gear reduction.

12. The work vehicle of claim 10 , wherein at least one gear reduction is interposed between the first one-way clutch and a wheel connected to the first half-axle, the first portion of the received torque input being transmitted, respectively, to the wheel via the gear reduction.

13. The work vehicle of claim 10 , wherein at least one of the first and the second one-way clutches includes a sprag clutch.

14. The work vehicle of claim 13 , wherein both the first and the second one-way clutches includes a sprag clutch, and
wherein the first and the second one-way clutches include a shared input race, the shared input race being configured to receive torque input from the power source and transmit the torque input, at least in part, to both a first output race included in the first one-way clutch and a second output race included in the second one-way clutch.

15. The work vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the power source includes an infinitely variable prime mover.

16. The work vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the work vehicle is a trailer and the first and the second half-axles form part of a powered axle of the trailer.

17. The work vehicle of claim 10 , wherein at least one of the first and the second one-way clutches includes a mechanical diode.

18. The work vehicle of claim 17 , wherein each of the first and the second one-way clutches includes mechanical diode, and
wherein the first and the second one-way clutches include a shared input ring, the shared input ring being configured to receive torque input from the power source and transmit the torque input, at least in part, to both a first output ring included in the first one-way clutch and a second output ring included in the second one-way clutch.

19. A power transfer assembly for transmitting power from a power source to a rotating component comprising:
a power source capable of providing torque output;
a first one-way clutch configured to receive torque input from the power source; and
a second one-way clutch configured to receive torque input from the power source;
wherein the first one-way clutch is further configured to transmit at least a first portion of the received torque input to a first half-axle,
wherein the second one-way clutch is further configured to transmit at least a second portion of the received torque input to a second half-axle, and
wherein at least one gear reduction is interposed between at least one of the power source and the first and second one-way clutches, the torque input being transmitted to the first and second one-way clutches via the at least one gear reduction, and between the first one-way clutch and a wheel connected to the first half-axle, the first portion of the received torque input being transmitted to the wheel via the gear reduction.

20. The power transfer assembly of claim 19 , wherein the first and the second one-way clutches include a shared input member, the shared input member being configured to receive torque input from the power source and transmit the torque input, at least in part, to both a first output member included in the first one-way clutch and a second output member included in the second one-way clutch.

Assignees

• Deere & Co

Inventors

• Neumann Clayton P

Classifications

• Y10T74/19005

  Nonplanetary gearing differential type [e.g., gearless differentials] · CPC title

• B60K17/02

  characterised by arrangement, location, or kind of clutch · CPC title

• B60K17/046

  with planetary gearing having orbital motion · CPC title

• B60K17/165

  provided between independent half axles (B60K17/18, B60K17/20 take precedence) · CPC title

• B60Y2200/148

  Semi-trailers, articulated vehicles · CPC title