IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,729,839
Granted Patent B2
US 7,729,839 · App. 11/544,476 · Granted Jun 1, 2010

Automated inter-axle differential lock sensor configuration and calibration method

Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,729,839
App. No.
11/544,476
Granted
Jun 1, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

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.

Claims (24)

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.

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 (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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 Nov 9, 2006
From: CLAUSSEN, STEPHEN P., MR.; BEVERLY, JAMES A., MR.
To: DANA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 018501/0658 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20080085803A1 · Apr 10, 2008