Granted Patent B2

US 8,712,651 · App. 13/525,449 · Granted Apr 29, 2014

Abstract

Claims (60)

1. A method of shifting a multi-mode drive unit comprising a transmission, a power take off unit having a first plurality of gear ratios and coupled to said transmission, and a rear drive module having a second plurality of gear ratios and coupled to said power take off unit, wherein said method in response to a shift request comprises:

initiating a shift in said power take off unit from operation in a first gear ratio of said first plurality of gear ratios to operation in a second gear ratio of said first plurality of gear ratios;

monitoring the progress of said shift of said power take off unit;

rejecting said shift request if said power take off unit is unable to successfully shift from operation in said first gear ratio of said first plurality of gear ratios to operation in said second gear ratio of said first plurality of gear ratios; and

shifting said rear drive module from operation in a first gear ratio of said second plurality of gear ratios to operation in a second gear ratio of said second plurality of gear ratios if said shift of said power take off unit is successfully completed.

2. The method of shifting a multi-mode drive unit of claim 1 , wherein said second plurality of gear ratios corresponds to said first plurality of gear ratios and corresponding gear ratios from said first plurality of gear ratios and said second plurality of gear ratios are engaged simultaneously.

3. The method of shifting a multi-mode drive unit of claim 1 , further comprising determining whether at least one interlock condition is satisfied prior to initiating said shift of said power take off unit and rejecting said shift request if said at least one interlock condition is not satisfied.

4. The method of shifting a multi-mode drive unit of claim 3 , wherein said at least one interlock condition is selected from the group comprising anti-lock brake system status, traction control system status, electronic stability control program status, vehicle ignition status, vehicle speed, transmission status, vehicle brake application, and engine RPM.

5. The method of shifting a multi-mode drive unit of claim 1 , further comprising detecting the presence of torque lock within said power take off unit after said shift is initiated in said power take off unit and rejecting said shift request if torque lock is detected.

6. The method of shifting a multi-mode drive unit of claim 1 , further comprising:

detecting the presence of tooth block within said power take off unit after said shift is initiated in said power take off unit;

limiting torque applied to said power take off unit until said shift of said power take off unit is completed if torque lock is detected; and

completing said shift of said power take off unit if tooth block is not detected.

7. The method of shifting a multi-mode drive unit of claim 1 , further comprising:

detecting the presence of torque lock within said rear drive module after said shift is initiated in said rear drive module; and

limiting torque applied to said rear drive module until said shift of said rear drive module is completed if torque lock is detected.

8. The method of shifting a multi-mode drive unit of claim 1 , further comprising:

detecting the presence of tooth block within said rear drive module after said shift is initiated in said rear drive module;

limiting torque applied to said rear drive module until said shift of said rear drive module is completed if tooth block is detected; and

completing said shift of said rear drive module if tooth block is not detected.

9. The method of shifting a multi-mode drive unit of claim 1 , wherein said drive unit further comprises a clutch selectively coupling said power take off unit to said rear drive module, and said method further comprises deactivating said clutch prior to initiating said shift in said power take off unit.

10. The method of shifting a multi-mode drive unit of claim 9 , wherein said clutch is activated after said shift of said rear drive module is completed.

11. A method of operating a multi-mode drive unit comprising a transmission, a power take off unit having a first plurality of gear ratios and coupled to said transmission, and a rear drive module having a second plurality of gear ratios and coupled to said power take off unit, said first plurality of gear ratios having gear ratio ratios corresponding to said second plurality of gear ratios, comprising:

receiving a shift request;

determining whether at least one interlock condition is satisfied;

rejecting said shift request if said at least one interlock condition is not satisfied;

initiating a shift in said power take off unit from operation in a first gear ratio of said first plurality of gear ratios to operation in a second gear ratio of said first plurality of gear ratios if said at least one interlock condition is satisfied;

monitoring the progress of said shift of said power take off unit;

rejecting said shift request if said power take off unit is unable to successfully shift from operation in said first gear ratio of said first plurality of gear ratios to operation in said second gear ratio of said first plurality of gear ratios; and

shifting said rear drive module from operation in a first gear ratio of said second plurality of gear ratios corresponding to said first gear ratio of said first plurality of gear ratios to operation in a second gear ratio of said second plurality of gear ratios corresponding to said second gear ratio of said first plurality of gear ratios if said shift of said power take off unit is successfully completed.

12. The method of operating a multi-mode drive unit of claim 11 , wherein said at least one interlock condition is selected from the group comprising anti-lock brake system status, traction control system status, electronic stability control program status, vehicle ignition status, vehicle speed, transmission status, vehicle brake application, and engine RPM.

13. The method of operating a multi-mode drive unit of claim 11 , further comprising:

detecting the presence of torque lock within said power take off unit after said shift is initiated in said power take off unit and rejecting said shift request if torque lock is detected;

if torque block is not detected, detecting the presence of tooth block within said power take off unit;

limiting torque applied to said power take off unit until said shift of said power take off unit is completed if tooth block is detected; and

completing said shift of said power take off unit if tooth block is not detected.

14. The method of operating a multi-mode drive unit of claim 13 , further comprising:

detecting the presence of torque lock within said rear drive module after said shift is initiated in said rear drive module; and

limiting torque applied to said rear drive module until said shift of said rear drive module is completed if torque lock is detected.

15. The method of operating a multi-mode drive unit of claim 14 , further comprising:

if torque lock is not detected, detecting the presence of tooth block within said rear drive module;

limiting torque applied to said rear drive module until said shift of said rear drive module is completed if tooth block is detected; and

completing said shift of said rear drive unit if tooth block is not detected.

16. The method of operating a multi-mode drive unit of claim 11 , wherein said drive unit further comprises a clutch selectively coupling said power take off unit to said rear drive module, and said method further comprises:

deactivating said clutch prior to initiating said shift in said power take off unit; and

activating said clutch after said shift of said rear drive module is completed.

17. The method of operating a multi-mode drive unit of claim 16 , further comprising:

detecting the presence of torque lock within said power take off unit after said shift is initiated in said power take off unit;

initiating said shift in said power take off unit at least a second time if torque lock is detected within said power take off unit and rejecting said shift request if torque lock is detected after said at least second initiated shift in said power take off unit;

if torque lock is not detected, detecting the presence of tooth block within said power take off unit;

limiting torque applied to said power take off unit until said shift of said power take off unit is completed if tooth block is detected; and

completing said shift of said power take off unit if tooth block is not detected.

18. The method of operating a multi-mode drive unit of claim 17 , further comprising:

detecting the presence of torque lock within said rear drive module after said shift is initiated in said rear drive module; and

limiting torque applied to said rear drive module until said shift of said rear drive module is completed if torque lock is detected.

19. The method of operating a multi-mode drive unit of claim 18 , further comprising:

if torque lock is not detected, detecting the presence of tooth block within said rear drive module;

limiting torque applied to said rear drive module until said shift of said rear drive module is completed if tooth block is detected; and

completing said shift if tooth block is not detected.

20. The method of operating a multi-mode drive unit of claim 19 , wherein said shift request is rejected unless all interlock conditions are satisfied.

Assignments (8)