IP Library Granted Patent US 11,312,235
Granted Patent B2
US 11,312,235 · App. 17/109,839 · Granted Apr 26, 2022

Drive switching mechanism of utility vehicle

Inventors: Seiji Itoo (Akashi, JP); Ayumi Hamada (Kakogawa, JP); Manabu Hidaka (Nishinomiya, JP); Masahiko Nakagawa (Amagasaki, JP)
Assignee: KAWASAKI MOTORS, LTD.
B60K23/0808B60W10/06B60W10/119B60W10/14B60W10/16F16H48/24B60K23/04B60K2023/046B60W30/19B60W2510/0208B60W2510/0283B60W2510/12B60W2520/10B60W2710/021B60W2710/125F16D11/14F16D2500/10431F16D2500/10462F16D2500/30401F16D2500/30415F16D2500/30426F16D2500/30816F16D2500/3108F16D2500/70424F16H2048/343
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,312,235
App. No.
17/109,839
Granted
Apr 26, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A drive switching mechanism of a utility vehicle includes: a two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive switching device that switches between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive of the utility vehicle; and a control unit that controls the drive switching mechanism. The two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive switching device switches between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive by using a first clutch. The control unit permits the two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive switching device to switch from two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive when a rotation difference of the first clutch becomes equal to or smaller than a predetermined value.

Claims (17)

1. A drive switching mechanism of a utility vehicle, the drive switching mechanism comprising:

a differential lock device that controls fixation and release of a differential device that distributes and transmits a driving force to left and right wheels; and

a control unit that controls the drive switching mechanism, wherein:

the differential lock device is configured to switch between fixation and release of the differential device by using a second clutch;

the control unit permits the differential lock device to fix the differential device when a rotation difference of the second clutch becomes equal to or smaller than a predetermined value;

the differential lock device is configured to fix an axle on one of left and right sides to a differential case of the differential device; and

the control unit calculates the rotation difference of the second clutch by using a ring gear rotation sensor that detects rotation of a ring gear that rotates with the differential case, and an axle sensor that detects rotation of the axle on the one side.

2. The drive switching mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit instantaneously increases or decreases an output of an engine of the utility vehicle when the second clutch is disconnected.

3. A drive switching mechanism of a utility vehicle, the drive switching mechanism comprising:

a differential lock device that controls fixation and release of a differential device that distributes and transmits a driving force to left and right wheels; and

a control unit that controls the drive switching mechanism, wherein:

the differential lock device is configured to switch between fixation and release of the differential device by using a second clutch;

the control unit permits the differential lock device to fix the differential device when a rotation difference of the second clutch becomes equal to or smaller than a predetermined value; and

the control unit calculates the rotation difference based on a detection value of a ring gear rotation sensor, which detects rotation of a ring gear that rotates with a differential case of the differential device.

4. The drive switching mechanism according to claim 3 , wherein the ring gear rotation sensor is provided near the ring gear.

5. The drive switching mechanism according to claim 3 , wherein the ring gear rotation sensor is provided in a case of a reduction device and protrudes axially from the case to a side of the differential lock device.

6. The drive switching mechanism according to claim 3 , wherein the control unit controls a two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive switching device that switches between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive based on a detected value of the ring gear rotation sensor.

Assignments (1)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 21, 2022
From: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
To: KAWASAKI MOTORS, LTD.
Reel/Frame 058811/0875 →
Continuity (2)
Division 16205652 · Nov 30, 2018
Related Publication 20210086613A1 · Mar 25, 2021