公开(公告)号：US20090082934A1

公开(公告)日：2009-03-26

申请号：US12328073

申请日：2008-12-04

申请人： Richard Mizon ,  Malcolm E. Kirkwood ,  Brian Vaughn ,  Sankar K. Mohan ,  Eric A. Bansbach

发明人： Richard Mizon ,  Malcolm E. Kirkwood ,  Brian Vaughn ,  Sankar K. Mohan ,  Eric A. Bansbach

IPC分类号： F16D23/00 ,  G06F17/00

CPC分类号： B60K23/0808 ,  B60W2510/105

摘要： A transfer case for a motor vehicle having an input shaft, a first output shaft, a second output shaft, a clutch, a transfer mechanism, a sensor portion and a magnetoelastic torque sensor. The clutch has a clutch pack and a thrust mechanism that is configured to exert an engagement force on the clutch pack. The clutch pack has a first portion, which is rotatably driven by either or both of the input shaft and the first output shaft, and a second portion that is supported for rotation relative to the first portion. The transfer mechanism couples the second portion of the clutch pack to the second output shaft. The sensor portion is coupled to the first or second output shaft and is at least partially formed of a magnetoelastic material. The magnetoelastic torque sensor is disposed about and radially in-line with the sensor portion.

摘要翻译： 一种用于具有输入轴，第一输出轴，第二输出轴，离合器，转移机构，传感器部分和磁弹性扭矩传感器的机动车辆的分动箱。 离合器具有离合器组件和构造成对离合器组件施加接合力的推力机构。 离合器组件具有第一部分，该第一部分由输入轴和第一输出轴中的一个或两者可旋转地驱动，第二部分被支撑成相对于第一部分旋转。 传送机构将离合器组件的第二部分联接到第二输出轴。 传感器部分联接到第一或第二输出轴，并且至少部分地由磁致弹性材料形成。 磁弹性扭矩传感器设置在传感器部分周围并与其径向成一直线。

公开(公告)号：US06808053B2

公开(公告)日：2004-10-26

申请号：US10371415

申请日：2003-02-21

申请人： Malcolm E. Kirkwood ,  Thomas C. Bowen

发明人： Malcolm E. Kirkwood ,  Thomas C. Bowen

IPC分类号： B60K1735

CPC分类号： B60K23/0808 ,  B60K17/344 ,  B60K17/35 ,  F16D48/064 ,  F16D2500/1025 ,  F16D2500/10425 ,  F16D2500/10431 ,  F16D2500/1045 ,  F16D2500/501 ,  F16D2500/70402 ,  Y10T74/1864

摘要： A torque transfer mechanism is provided for controlling the magnitude of a clutch engagement force exerted on a multi-plate clutch assembly that is operably disposed between a first rotary and a second rotary member. The torque transfer mechanism includes a clutch actuator assembly for generating and applying a clutch engagement force on the clutch assembly. The clutch actuator assembly includes an electric motor/brake unit, a torque/force conversion mechanism, and a force amplification mechanism. The motor/brake unit can be operated in either of a motor mode or a brake mode to cause bi-directional linear movement of an output member of the torque/force conversion mechanism. The thrust force generated by the torque/force conversion mechanism is increased by the force amplification mechanism with the resultant clutch engagement force applied to the clutch assembly. The dual mode feature of the electric motor/brake unit significantly reduces the power requirements.

摘要翻译： 提供了一种扭矩传递机构，用于控制施加在可操作地设置在第一旋转部件和第二旋转部件之间的多板式离合器组件上的离合器接合力的大小。 扭矩传递机构包括用于在离合器组件上产生和施加离合器接合力的离合器致动器组件。 离合器致动器组件包括电动机/制动单元，转矩/力转换机构和力放大机构。 马达/制动单元可以在马达模式或制动模式中进行操作，以使扭矩/力转换机构的输出构件双向线性移动。 通过施加到离合器组件的合成离合器接合力，由力放大机构增加由转矩/力转换机构产生的推力。 电动机/制动单元的双重模式特性显着降低了电力需求。

公开(公告)号：US08113981B2

公开(公告)日：2012-02-14

申请号：US12262476

申请日：2008-10-31

申请人： Malcolm E. Kirkwood ,  Dumitru Puiu

发明人： Malcolm E. Kirkwood ,  Dumitru Puiu

IPC分类号： F16H3/62 ,  F16H3/44 ,  F16H37/06 ,  F16D23/00

CPC分类号： F16H37/042 ,  F16H3/14 ,  F16H3/64 ,  F16H2200/0056 ,  F16H2200/0069 ,  F16H2200/2012

摘要： A multi-speed transmission includes a first power transmission module driven by an input shaft. A second power transmission module is driven by the first power transmission module. A third power transmission module is driven by the second power transmission module and drives an output shaft. Each power transmission module includes an actuation mechanism and a planetary gearset. Each actuation mechanism controls the output of its respective planetary gearset to one of a first gear ratio and a second gear ratio. One of the actuation mechanisms includes a clutch and a spring biasing a member to rotate and cause a corresponding actuation of the clutch. The clutch causes two members of the respective planetary gearset to rotate at substantially the same speed and provide the first gear ratio. The actuation mechanism selectively restricts the member from rotating and prevent actuation of the clutch to provide the second gear ratio.

摘要翻译： 多速变速器包括由输入轴驱动的第一动力传递模块。 第二电力传输模块由第一电力传输模块驱动。 第三动力传递模块由第二动力传动模块驱动并驱动输出轴。 每个动力传递模块包括致动机构和行星齿轮组。 每个致动机构将其相应行星齿轮组的输出控制为第一齿轮比和第二齿轮比之一。 致动机构中的一个包括离合器和弹簧，偏压构件以旋转并引起离合器的相应致动。 离合器使得相应行星齿轮组的两个构件以基本上相同的速度旋转并提供第一齿轮比。 致动机构选择性地限制构件旋转并防止离合器的致动以提供第二传动比。

公开(公告)号：US07175557B2

公开(公告)日：2007-02-13

申请号：US10999859

申请日：2004-11-30

申请人： Malcolm E. Kirkwood ,  Thomas C. Bowen

发明人： Malcolm E. Kirkwood ,  Thomas C. Bowen

IPC分类号： F16H48/30 ,  F16H37/08

CPC分类号： B60K23/0808 ,  B60K17/3467 ,  B60K23/04 ,  F16D27/004 ,  F16D28/00 ,  F16D48/064 ,  F16D2500/1025 ,  F16D2500/10425 ,  F16D2500/10431 ,  F16D2500/70418 ,  F16D2500/7042 ,  F16D2500/7044 ,  F16D2500/7109 ,  F16H48/05 ,  F16H48/08 ,  F16H48/10 ,  F16H48/11 ,  F16H48/20 ,  F16H48/22 ,  F16H48/26 ,  F16H48/30 ,  F16H48/34 ,  F16H2048/106 ,  F16H2048/204 ,  F16H2048/343 ,  Y10T477/26

摘要： A torque transfer mechanism is provided for controlling the magnitude of a clutch engagement force exerted on a multi-plate clutch assembly that is operably disposed between a first rotary and a second rotary member. The torque transfer mechanism includes a clutch actuator assembly for generating and applying a clutch engagement force on the clutch assembly. The clutch actuator assembly includes an electric motor/brake unit and a torque/force conversion mechanism. The motor/brake unit can be operated in either of a motor mode or a brake mode to cause bi-directional linear movement of an output member of the torque/force conversion mechanism. The thrust force generated by the torque/force conversion mechanism is applied to the clutch assembly. The dual mode feature of the electric motor/brake unit significantly reduces the power requirements. A torque vectoring drive axle is equipped with a pair of such torque transfer mechanisms.

摘要翻译： 提供了一种扭矩传递机构，用于控制施加在可操作地设置在第一旋转部件和第二旋转部件之间的多板式离合器组件上的离合器接合力的大小。 扭矩传递机构包括用于在离合器组件上产生和施加离合器接合力的离合器致动器组件。 离合器致动器组件包括电动机/制动单元和扭矩/力转换机构。 马达/制动单元可以在马达模式或制动模式中进行操作，以使扭矩/力转换机构的输出构件双向线性移动。 由转矩/力转换机构产生的推力施加到离合器组件。 电动机/制动单元的双重模式特性显着降低了电力需求。 扭矩矢量驱动轴配备有一对这样的扭矩传递机构。

公开(公告)号：US07080707B2

公开(公告)日：2006-07-25

申请号：US11211352

申请日：2005-08-25

申请人： Malcolm E. Kirkwood

发明人： Malcolm E. Kirkwood

IPC分类号： B60K17/354

CPC分类号： B60W30/02 ,  B60K17/046 ,  B60K17/35 ,  B60K23/0808 ,  B60W2720/30 ,  F16H48/30

摘要： A drive axle assembly includes a pair of axleshafts connected to a pair of wheels, and a drive mechanism for selectively coupling a driven input shaft to one or both of the axleshafts. The drive mechanism includes first and second drive units that can be selectively engaged to control the magnitude of the drive torque transferred and the relative rotary speed between the input shaft and the axleshafts. Each drive unit includes a planetary gearset disposed between the input shaft and its corresponding axleshaft, and a pair of mode clutches that may be activated to cause the planetary gearset to establish different speed ratio drive connections between the input shaft and the axleshaft. A control system including an electronic control unit (ECU) and sensors are provided to control actuation of the clutches so as to control the side-to-side traction characteristics of the drive axle assembly.

摘要翻译： 驱动轴组件包括连接到一对车轮的一对轴轴和用于选择性地将从动输入轴联接到轴轴中的一个或两个的驱动机构。 驱动机构包括第一和第二驱动单元，该第一和第二驱动单元可选择性地接合以控制传递的驱动转矩的大小和输入轴与轴轴之间的相对转速。 每个驱动单元包括设置在输入轴和其对应的轴轴之间的行星齿轮组，以及可以被激活以使行星齿轮组在输入轴和轴轴之间建立不同速比的驱动连接的一对模式离合器。 提供包括电子控制单元（ECU）和传感器的控制系统以控制离合器的致动，从而控制驱动桥组件的侧向牵引特性。

公开(公告)号：US06962227B1

公开(公告)日：2005-11-08

申请号：US10842017

申请日：2004-05-07

申请人： Malcolm E. Kirkwood

发明人： Malcolm E. Kirkwood

IPC分类号： B60K17/04 ,  B60K17/344 ,  B60K17/35 ,  B60K17/354 ,  B60K23/08

CPC分类号： B60W30/02 ,  B60K17/046 ,  B60K17/35 ,  B60K23/0808 ,  B60W2720/30 ,  F16H48/30

摘要： A drive axle assembly includes a pair of axleshafts connected to a pair of wheels, and a drive mechanism for selectively coupling a driven input shaft to one or both of the axleshafts. The drive mechanism includes first and second drive units that can be selectively engaged to control the magnitude of the drive torque transferred and the relative rotary speed between the input shaft and the axleshafts. Each drive unit includes a planetary gearset disposed between the input shaft and its corresponding axleshaft, and a pair of mode clutches that may be activated to cause the planetary gearset to establish different speed ratio drive connections between the input shaft and the axleshaft. A control system including an electronic control unit (ECU) and sensors are provided to control actuation of the clutches so as to control the side-to-side traction characteristics of the drive axle assembly.

摘要翻译： 驱动轴组件包括连接到一对车轮的一对轴轴和用于选择性地将从动输入轴联接到轴轴中的一个或两个的驱动机构。 驱动机构包括第一和第二驱动单元，该第一和第二驱动单元可选择性地接合以控制传递的驱动转矩的大小和输入轴与轴轴之间的相对转速。 每个驱动单元包括设置在输入轴和其对应的轴轴之间的行星齿轮组，以及可以被激活以使行星齿轮组在输入轴和轴轴之间建立不同速比的驱动连接的一对模式离合器。 提供包括电子控制单元（ECU）和传感器的控制系统以控制离合器的致动，从而控制驱动桥组件的侧向牵引特性。

公开(公告)号：US06945375B2

公开(公告)日：2005-09-20

申请号：US10973071

申请日：2004-10-25

申请人： Malcolm E. Kirkwood ,  Thomas C. Bowen

发明人： Malcolm E. Kirkwood ,  Thomas C. Bowen

IPC分类号： B60K17/344 ,  B60K17/35 ,  B60K23/08 ,  F16D28/00 ,  F16D48/06

CPC分类号： B60K23/0808 ,  B60K17/344 ,  B60K17/35 ,  F16D48/064 ,  F16D2500/1025 ,  F16D2500/10425 ,  F16D2500/10431 ,  F16D2500/1045 ,  F16D2500/501 ,  F16D2500/70402 ,  Y10T74/1864

摘要： A torque transfer mechanism is provided for controlling the magnitude of a clutch engagement force exerted on a multi-plate clutch assembly that is operably disposed between a first rotary and a second rotary member. The torque transfer mechanism includes a clutch actuator assembly for generating and applying a clutch engagement force on the clutch assembly. The clutch actuator assembly includes an electric motor/brake unit, a torque/force conversion mechanism, and a force amplification mechanism. The motor/brake unit can be operated in either of a motor mode or a brake mode to cause bi-directional linear movement of an output member of the torque/force conversion mechanism. The thrust force generated by the torque/force conversion mechanism is increased by the force amplification mechanism with the resultant clutch engagement force applied to the clutch assembly. The dual mode feature of the electric motor/brake unit significantly reduces the power requirements.

公开(公告)号：US5954608A

公开(公告)日：1999-09-21

申请号：US75752

申请日：1998-05-11

申请人： Malcolm E. Kirkwood ,  Graham M. Annear

发明人： Malcolm E. Kirkwood ,  Graham M. Annear

IPC分类号： F16H3/66 ,  F16H63/30 ,  F16H5/66

CPC分类号： F16H63/3003 ,  F16H3/66 ,  F16H63/3026 ,  F16H2200/006 ,  F16H2200/2015

摘要： A drive speed control system having an input shaft and an output shaft in communication with a planetary gear mechanism. The planetary gear mechanism is in communication with a first rotatable drum member and a second rotatable drum member which is positioned radially inward relative to the first rotatable drum member. A first annular inflatable member is positioned radially outwardly of the first rotatable drum member and a second annular inflatable member is positioned radially between the first and second rotatable drum members. The first and second annular inflatable members are in communication with a control system to cause the inflation of the first annular inflatable member to inhibit rotation of the first rotatable drum member and to cause inflation of the second annular inflatable member, when the first annular inflatable member is uninflated, to cause the first rotatable drum member to rotate in unison with the second rotatable drum.

摘要翻译： 一种驱动速度控制系统，其具有与行星齿轮机构连通的输入轴和输出轴。 行星齿轮机构与第一可旋转鼓构件和第二可旋转鼓构件连通，第二可旋转鼓构件相对于第一可旋转鼓构件径向向内定位。 第一环形可充气构件定位在第一可旋转鼓构件的径向外侧，并且第二环形可充气构件径向地定位在第一和第二可旋转鼓构件之间。 第一和第二环形可充气构件与控制系统连通，以使第一环形可充气构件的膨胀能够阻止第一可旋转鼓构件的旋转，并且当第一环形可充气构件 使第一可旋转鼓构件与第二可旋转滚筒一致地旋转。

公开(公告)号：US5337867A

公开(公告)日：1994-08-16

申请号：US3891

申请日：1993-01-13

申请人： Malcolm E. Kirkwood

发明人： Malcolm E. Kirkwood

IPC分类号： F16H45/02 ,  F16D33/00

CPC分类号： F16H45/02 ,  F16H2045/0226 ,  F16H2045/0278 ,  F16H2045/0294

摘要： A torque converter has a continuous slip bypass clutch with multiple friction plates one of which is directly coupled to the inside diameter of the front cover of the torque converter and another of which is directly coupled to a hub connected to the output shaft of the converter and wherein the bypass clutch is activated when there is excessive torque converter slip so as to engage plural friction surfaces on the multiple friction plates for providing a heat resistant slip connection between the front cover and the output shaft.

摘要翻译： 变矩器具有连续滑动旁路离合器，其具有多个摩擦板，其中一个摩擦片直接连接到变矩器的前盖的内径，另一个直接联接到连接到转换器的输出轴的轮毂， 其中，当存在过大的变矩器滑移时，所述旁路离合器被激活，从而与所述多个摩擦板上的多个摩擦面接合，以提供所述前盖和所述输出轴之间的耐热滑动连接。

公开(公告)号：US5070974A

公开(公告)日：1991-12-10

申请号：US585414

申请日：1990-09-19

申请人： Malcolm E. Kirkwood

发明人： Malcolm E. Kirkwood

IPC分类号： F16D3/14 ,  F16F15/121 ,  F16F15/16 ,  F16H45/02

CPC分类号： F16F15/1215 ,  F16F15/16 ,  F16H45/02 ,  F16H2045/0294

摘要： A torsion damper (10) for damping vibration between the input member and put member of a hydrodynamic converter (12) includes a lock-up plate (30) which is axially moveable in response to differential hydraulic pressure thereacross to be directly coupled to or released from the input member; a variable volume liquid filled damping chamber (62) is connected to the inboard surface of the lock-up plate and is comprised of three separate, slidably supported rings (40) for forming part of the damping chamber. A cam ring (48) is directly connected to the output member and a stopper ring (42) is connected to the lock-up plate; a follower ring (50) includes cam followers that engage cam surfaces on the cam ring and further includes lock segments thereon that engage a spring diaphragm (60) which seals the damping chamber and which is shifted by the follower ring upon relative rotation between the input member and the output member to vary the volume of the variable volume chamber; the torsion damper includes orifices (68) and a relief valve (72) on the lock-up plate for controlling flow into and from the damping chamber to impose a vibration damping force between the input and output member partly in accordance with the size of the orifices; partly in accordance with the shape of the cam surface on the cam ring and partly in accordance with the spring rate of the spring diaphragm any one of which can be adjusted for tuning the torsional damping rates of the torsion damper.