IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,338,404
Granted Patent B2
US 7,338,404 · App. 11/320,132 · Granted Mar 4, 2008

Drive assembly for variable torque distribution

Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,338,404
App. No.
11/320,132
Granted
Mar 4, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A drive assembly ( 1 ) includes a differential ( 3 ) with a differential carrier ( 7 ) and two output shafts ( 19 ) connected to the differential carrier ( 7 ) via a differential gear set ( 10 ). The assembly includes at least one transmission stage ( 25 ) with a first sun gear ( 26 ) connected to the differential carrier ( 7 ), and a second sun gear ( 28 ) connected to one of the two output shafts ( 19 ), and at least one parallel planetary gear ( 27 ) which engages the sun gears ( 26, 28 ) and which is rotatably held in a carrier element ( 32 ) which can be coupled to a stationary housing ( 18 ). The two sun gears have profile-displaced teeth with different numbers of teeth and are arranged at the same axial distance (C) from the at least one planetary gear ( 27 ). The planetary gear ( 27 ) has two toothed portions ( 29, 30 ) with corresponding teeth.

Claims (40)

1. A drive assembly for variable torque distribution in a driveline of a motor vehicle, comprising:

a differential with a differential carrier and two output shafts which are drivingly connected to the differential carrier via a differential gear set and which, relative to one another, have a compensating effect;

at least one transmission stage with a first sun gear drivingly connected to the differential carrier, a second sun gear which is arranged to coaxially adjoin the first sun gear and which is drivingly connected to one of the two output shafts, and at least one parallel planetary gear whose teeth engage teeth of the first sun gear and the second sun gear and which is rotatably held in a carrier element rotating around an axis of rotation (B), wherein the carrier element can be coupled to a stationary housing;

wherein the first sun gear and the second sun gear, relative to one another, comprise profile-displaced teeth with different numbers of teeth and are arranged at the same axial distance (C) from the at least one planetary gear;

wherein the planetary gear comprises two toothed portions whose teeth correspond to one another.

2. A drive assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the numbers of teeth of the first and the second sun gear are such that a transmission ratio of 0.8 to 1.2 is generated between the first and the second sun gear.

3. A drive assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the numbers of teeth of the first and of the second sun gear are such that, in a rotational position of the first and the second sun gear relative to one another, several teeth axially overlap one another, so that, at the same time, they are able to engage the teeth of the at least one planetary gear.

4. A drive assembly according to claim 1 , comprising a plurality of planetary gears uniformly circumferentially distributed around the first and the second sun gear and engaging same simultaneously.

5. A drive assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one planetary gear comprises a continuous groove between the two toothed portions.

6. A drive assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the two toothed portions adjoin one another seamlessly.

7. A drive assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the first sun gear is integral with a hollow shaft which is rotatably supported on the output shaft.

8. A drive assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the carrier element comprises an engaging mechanism on an outer circumferential face to engage inner plates of a coupling.

9. A drive assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the first sun gear, the second sun gear and the at least one planetary gear comprise helical teeth.

10. A drive assembly according to claim 9 , wherein the helical teeth are designed in such a way that the axial forces acting on the first and the second sun gear as a result of the engaging teeth are directed towards each other.

11. A drive assembly for variable torque distribution in a driveline of a motor vehicle, comprising:

a differential with a differential carrier and two output shafts which are drivingly connected to the differential carrier via a differential gear set and which, relative to one another, have a compensating effect;

at least one transmission stage with a first sun gear drivingly connected to the differential carrier, a second sun gear which is arranged to coaxially adjoin the first sun gear and which can be coupled to one of the two output shafts, and at least one parallel planetary gear whose teeth engage teeth of the first sun gear and the second sun gear and which is rotatably held on a stationary shaft;

wherein the first sun gear and the second sun gear, relative to one another, comprise profile-displaced teeth with different numbers of teeth and are arranged at the same axial distance from the at least one planetary gear;

wherein the planetary gear comprises two toothed portions whose teeth correspond to one another.

12. A drive assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the numbers of teeth of the first and the second sun gear are such that a transmission ratio of 0.8 to 1.2 is generated between the first and the second sun gear.

13. A drive assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the numbers of teeth of the first and of the second sun gear are such that, in a rotational position of the first and the second sun gear relative to one another, several teeth axially overlap one another, so that, at the same time, they are able to engage the teeth of the at least one planetary gear.

14. A drive assembly according to claim 11 , comprising a plurality of planetary gears uniformly circumferentially distributed around the first and the second sun gear and engaging same simultaneously.

15. A drive assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the at least one planetary gear comprises a continuous groove between the two toothed portions.

16. A drive assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the two toothed portions adjoin one another seamlessly.

17. A drive assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the first sun gear is integral with a hollow shaft which is rotatably supported on the output shaft.

18. A drive assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the first sun gear, the second sun gear and the at least one planetary gear comprise helical teeth.

19. A drive assembly according to claim 18 , wherein the helical teeth are designed in such a way that the axial forces acting on the first and the second sun gear as a result of the engaging teeth are directed towards each other.

20. A drive assembly for variable torque distribution in a driveline of a motor vehicle, comprising:

a differential with a differential carrier and two output shafts which are drivingly connected to the differential carrier via a differential gear set and which, relative to one another, have a compensating effect;

at least one transmission stage with a first sun gear which can be coupled to the differential carrier, a second sun gear which is arranged to coaxially adjoin the first sun gear and which is drivingly connected to one of the two output shafts, and at least one parallel planetary gear whose teeth engage teeth of the first sun gear and the second sun gear and which is rotatably supported on a stationary shaft;

wherein the first sun gear and the second sun gear, relative to one another, comprise profile-displaced teeth with different numbers of teeth and are arranged at the same axial distance from the at least one planetary gear;

wherein the planetary gear comprises two toothed portions whose teeth correspond to one another.

21. A drive assembly according to claim 20 , wherein the numbers of teeth of the first and the second sun gear are such that a transmission ratio of 0.8 to 1.2 is generated between the first and the second sun gear.

22. A drive assembly according to claim 20 , wherein the numbers of teeth of the first and of the second sun gear are such that, in a rotational position of the first and the second sun gear relative to one another, several teeth axially overlap one another, so that, at the same time, they are able to engage the teeth of the at least one planetary gear.

23. A drive assembly according to claim 20 , comprising a plurality of planetary gears uniformly circumferentially distributed around the first and the second sun gear and engaging same simultaneously.

24. A drive assembly according to claim 20 , wherein the at least one planetary gear comprises a continuous groove between the two toothed portions.

25. A drive assembly according to claim 20 , wherein the two toothed portions adjoin one another seamlessly.

26. A drive assembly according to claim 20 , wherein the first sun gear is integral with a hollow shaft which is rotatably supported on the output shaft.

27. A drive assembly according to claim 20 , wherein the first sun gear, the second sun gear and the at least one planetary gear comprise helical teeth.

28. A drive assembly according to claim 27 , wherein the helical teeth are designed in such a way that the axial forces acting on the first and the second sun gear as a result of the engaging teeth are directed towards each other.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 27, 2020
From: GKN DRIVELINE INTERNATIONAL GMBH
To: GKN AUTOMOTIVE LIMITED
Reel/Frame 052242/0903 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 31, 2006
From: GASSMANN, THEODOR; SCHMIDT, MARK; ARNDT, KLAUS
To: GKN DRIVELINE INTERNATIONAL GMBH
Reel/Frame 017420/0517 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2005 004 291 · Jan 28, 2005 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20060172846A1 · Aug 3, 2006