IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,152,720
Granted Patent B2
US 7,152,720 · App. 11/031,809 · Granted Dec 26, 2006

Automated inter-axle differential lock actuation sensing method

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,152,720
App. No.
11/031,809
Granted
Dec 26, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present invention relates to an automatic inter-axle differential lock actuation sensing method for a vehicle having a tandem drive axle. The inter-axle differential lock actuation sensing method comprises providing a clutch locking mechanism of an inter-axle differential for a vehicle, the clutch locking mechanism having a first set of teeth in a fixed position and a second set of teeth on a sliding clutch, locating a speed sensor such that when the clutch mechanism is disengaged the sensor measures a speed of the sliding clutch, and when the clutch mechanism is fully engaged the sensor measures zero speed even though the sliding clutch continues to rotate, providing a speed of the vehicle from a vehicle data link, and using the speed sensor-speed and the vehicle speed to determine status of clutch mechanism engagement.

Claims (13)

1. An inter-axle differential lock actuation sensing method for a vehicle having a tandem drive axle, comprising:

providing a clutch locking mechanism of an inter-axle differential for a vehicle, said clutch locking mechanism having a first set of teeth in a fixed position and a second set of teeth on a sliding clutch;

locating a speed sensor such that when said clutch mechanism is disengaged the sensor measures a speed of said sliding clutch, and when said clutch mechanism is fully engaged the sensor measures zero speed even though said sliding clutch continues to rotate;

providing a speed of said vehicle from a vehicle data link; and

using said speed sensor speed and said vehicle speed to determine status of clutch engagement.

2. The inter-axle differential lock actuation sensing method of claim 1 , wherein said first set of teeth are on a helical gear.

3. The inter-axle differential lock actuation sensing method of claim 1 , wherein said speed sensor is positioned above said second set of teeth, when said clutch mechanism is disengaged.

4. An inter-axle differential lock actuation sensing method comprising:

providing a clutch locking mechanism of an inter-axle differential for a vehicle, said clutch locking mechanism having a helical gear with a set of teeth in a fixed position and a sliding clutch with a set of teeth;

locating a speed sensor such that when said clutch mechanism is disengaged the sensor measures a speed of said sliding clutch, and when said clutch mechanism is fully engaged the sensor measures zero speed even though said sliding clutch continues to rotate;

providing a speed of said vehicle; and

using a microcomputer in measuring the speed from said speed sensor and said vehicle speed from a vehicle data link to determine status of clutch engagement;

wherein said speed sensor is positioned above said sliding clutch teeth, when said clutch mechanism is disengaged.

Assignments (7)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 29, 2020
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC; DANA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC; DANA LIMITED; FAIRFIELD MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 053309/0686 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT Recorded Apr 21, 2020
From: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC; DANA LIMITED; DANA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC; FAIRFIELD MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 052459/0224 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT (BRIDGE) Recorded Apr 21, 2020
From: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC; DANA LIMITED; DANA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC; FAIRFIELD MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 052459/0001 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY TERM FACILITY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 25, 2008
From: DANA HOLDING CORPORATION; DANA LIMITED; DANA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC; DANA DRIVESHAFT PRODUCTS, LLC; DANA DRIVESHAFT MANUFACTURING, LLC; DANA LIGHT AXLE PRODUCTS, LLC; DANA LIGHT AXLE MANUFACTURING, LLC; DANA SEALING PRODUCTS, LLC; DANA SEALING MANUFACTURING, LLC; DANA STRUCTURAL PRODUCTS, LLC; DANA THERMAL PRODUCTS, LLC; DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC; DANA COMMERCIAL VEHICLE PRODUCTS, LLC; DANA COMMERCIAL VEHICLE MANUFACTURING, LLC; SPICER HEAVY AXLE & BRAKE, INC.; DANA OFF HIGHWAY PRODUCTS, LLC; DTF TRUCKING INC.; DANA WORLD TRADE CORPORATION; DANA AUTOMOTIVE AFTERMARKET, INC.; DANA GLOBAL PRODUCTS, INC.; DANA STRUCTURAL MANUFACTURING, LLC
To: CITICORP USA, INC.
Reel/Frame 020859/0359 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY REVOLVING FACILITY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 25, 2008
From: DANA HOLDING CORPORATION; DANA LIMITED; DANA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC; DANA DRIVESHAFT PRODUCTS, LLC; DANA DRIVESHAFT MANUFACTURING, LLC; DANA LIGHT AXLE PRODUCTS, LLC; DANA LIGHT AXLE MANUFACTURING, LLC; DANA SEALING PRODUCTS, LLC; DANA SEALING MANUFACTURING, LLC; DANA STRUCTURAL PRODUCTS, LLC; DANA THERMAL PRODUCTS, LLC; DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC; DANA COMMERCIAL VEHICLE PRODUCTS, LLC; DANA COMMERCIAL VEHICLE MANUFACTURING, LLC; SPICER HEAVY AXLE & BRAKE, INC.; DANA OFF HIGHWAY PRODUCTS, LLC; DTF TRUCKING INC.; DANA WORLD TRADE CORPORATION; DANA AUTOMOTIVE AFTERMARKET, INC.; DANA GLOBAL PRODUCTS, INC.; DANA STRUCTURAL MANUFACTURING, LLC
To: CITICORP USA, INC.
Reel/Frame 020859/0249 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 25, 2008
From: DANA CORPORATION
To: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC
Reel/Frame 020571/0741 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 3, 2005
From: CLAUSSEN, MR. STEPHEN P.; BEVERLY, MR. JAMES A.; WENSTRUP, MR. LEO J.
To: DANA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 015644/0163 →