Automated inter-axle differential lock sensor configuration and calibration method
View Patent ↗The present invention relates to an automatic inter-axle differential sensor configuration (i.e., location) and calibration method for a vehicle having a tandem drive axle. The method involves determining the speed of the vehicle, determining pulses per minute from each inter-axle differential sensor via the vehicle electronic control unit (ECU), where each of the inter-axle differential sensors are connected to an inter-axle differential gear, determining a location of each inter-axle differential sensor from each of the inter-axle differential sensor pulses per minute, and assigning a number of teeth to each of the inter-axle differential gears in calibrating each of the inter-axle differential sensors. The revolutions per minute for each of the inter-axle differential sensors may be utilized to lock the inter-axle differential during slippage of the vehicle, without human intervention.
1. An automatic inter-axle differential sensor configuration and calibration method for a vehicle having a tandem drive axle, comprising:
determining pulses per minute from each of a plurality of inter-axle differential sensors by way of a vehicle electronic control unit, each of said inter-axle differential sensors sensing a separate inter-axle differential gear;
determining a location of each of said inter-axle differential sensors from each of said inter-axle differential sensor pulses per minute; and
assigning a number of teeth to each of said inter-axle differential gears in calibrating each of said inter-axle differential sensors.
2. The inter-axle differential sensor configuration and calibration method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining a speed of said vehicle;
converting said pulses per minute to revolutions per minute for each of said inter-axle differential sensors; and
utilizing said revolutions per minute of each of said inter-axle differential sensors to lock an inter-axle differential during slippage of said vehicle.
3. An automatic inter-axle differential sensor configuration and calibration method for a vehicle having a tandem drive axle, comprising:
counting pulses from each of two inter-axle differential sensors by way of a vehicle electronic control unit, each of said inter-axle differential sensors sensing a separate inter-axle differential gear;
determining a location of each of said inter-axle differential sensors from each of said inter-axle differential sensor pulses, wherein the highest number of pulses is from a helical gear and the lowest number of pulses is from a clutch locking gear; and
assigning a number of teeth to each of said inter-axle differential gears in calibrating each of said inter-axle differential sensors.
4. The inter-axle differential sensor configuration and calibration method of claim 3 , further comprising:
converting said pulses to revolutions per minute for each of said inter-axle differential sensors; and
utilizing said revolutions per minute of each of said inter-axle differential sensors to lock an inter-axle differential during slippage of said vehicle.
5. An automatic inter-axle differential sensor configuration and calibration method for a vehicle having a tandem drive axle, comprising:
determining a speed of said vehicle and comparing said speed of said vehicle to a predetermined miles per hour limit;
determining pulses per minute from each of two inter-axle differential sensors;
locating each of said inter-axle differential sensors from each of said inter-axle differential sensor pulses per minute, the higher pulses per minute being from a helical gear and the lower pulses per minute being from a clutch locking gear;
assigning a number of teeth to each of said inter-axle differential gears;
converting said pulses per minute to revolutions per minute for each of said inter-axle differential sensors; and
calibrating said inter-axle differential gears by equating revolutions per minute for said inter-axle differential gears.
6. The inter-axle differential sensor configuration and calibration method of claim 5 , further comprising utilizing said revolutions per minute of each of said inter-axle differential sensors to lock an inter-axle differential during slippage of said vehicle.
7. The inter-axle differential sensor configuration and calibration method of claim 5 , wherein said predetermined miles per hour limit is five miles per hour.