DE112016005907T5 - System for providing a four-wheel drive in a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

A system is provided for providing four-wheel drive in a vehicle, the system comprising; a transmission means comprising a plurality of gears, the transmission means being arranged to be coupled via a propeller shaft to a motor and arranged to drive two primary wheels; a power transmitting means arranged to be coupled to a motor and configured to drive two secondary wheels; wherein the power transmitting means comprises a gear assembly and at least one clutch positioned between the engine and the gear assembly; wherein the gear assembly and the at least one clutch are configured to allow the power transmitting means to provide output power at a plurality of different speeds such that when the transmission means is in a first subgroup of gears, the power transmitting means provides output power at a first speed, and when the transmission means is in a second, different subset of gears, the power transmitting means provides an output at a second different speed.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present disclosure relates to a system for providing four-wheel drive in a vehicle. In particular, but not exclusively, it relates to a system for providing four-wheel drive in a rear transaxle vehicle.

Aspects of the invention relate to a system, a power transmission means and a vehicle.

STATE OF THE ART

In vehicles with a rear transaxle transmission, in which the engine is mounted on the front of the vehicle and the transmission is mounted in the rear, a propeller shaft is provided to connect the engine to the transmission. It is necessary to connect the front wheels to the transmission to provide power to enable four-wheel drive. This requires a second propeller shaft to couple the transmission to the front axles. This additional propeller shaft is undesirable because it reduces the efficiency of the vehicle and also increases the cost and weight of the vehicle.

It is an object of the present invention to address drawbacks associated with such systems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide systems, transfer cases, and vehicles according to the appended claims.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for providing four-wheel drive in a vehicle, the system comprising: a power transmitting means arranged to receive an input power of an engine and arranged to input power from the engine via a first output power Driving two wheels to transmit on a first axis; wherein the input power of the motor is additionally provided as a second output power of the power transmitting means to a transmission means via the hinge shaft; wherein the transmission means is arranged to transmit power from the engine for driving two wheels on a second axis.

Since the power transmission means is arranged to be coupled to the engine rather than the transmission means, the need for a second transmission shaft between the transmission means and the two wheels on the first axle is removed. This can increase the efficiency of the vehicle. It can also reduce the cost and weight of the vehicle.

By arranging the power transmission means to be coupled to the engine instead of to the transmission means, the power transmission means is allowed to be provided to the front of the vehicle. This can improve the design freedom for the floor of the vehicle. It can provide an increased space for foot wells in the vehicle. It may also allow a generic floor design to be used in both four wheel drive vehicles and rear wheel drive vehicles. This could also reduce the cost of the vehicle.

The power transmitting means may include a gear assembly and at least one clutch positioned between the engine and the gear assembly. The gear assembly and the at least one clutch may be configured to allow the power transmitting means to provide the first output power at a plurality of different first output power speeds for driving the two wheels on the first axle. The transmission means may include a plurality of gears and the gears may be arranged to provide a transmission input at a plurality of different transmission drive speeds for driving the two wheels on the second axle.

Since the power transmitting means allows the two wheels on the first axle to be operated at different speeds, this may allow four-wheel drive of the vehicle to be provided in different gears of the transmission means. This may allow four-wheel drive of the vehicle in high gears of the transmission means as well as in low gears of the transmission means.

The transmission means may be a transmission and the power transmission means may be a transfer case.

The gear assembly and the one or more clutches may be arranged such that the plurality of different output power speeds of the power transmitting means are correlated with the plurality of different transmission output speeds of the transmission means. The correlation of the multiple first output power speeds of the power transmitting means and the plurality Transmission output speeds of the transmission means may allow the first output speed of the power transmission means to coincide with the transmission output speed of the transmission means.

The power transmitting means may be provided such that when the transmission means is in a first subgroup of gears, the power transmitting means provides the first output speed at a first speed and, when the transmission means is in a second, different subset of gears, the power transmitting means provides first output power speed at a second, different speed.

The gear assembly and at least one clutch may be configured such that when the transmission means is in a third, different subset of gears, the power transmitting means provides the first output power speed at a third, different speed.

Having at least three different speeds provides a multi-stage power transfer means that can provide output powers at several different speeds. This may allow the speed of the power transmission means to match the speed of the transmission means for a large number of gears. This can enable four-wheel drive of the vehicle both in low gears and in higher gears of the transmission means.

The input power to the power transmitting means may rotate at the motor power speed.

By arranging the power transmitting means to be coupled to the engine rather than to the transmission means, the input power to the power transmitting means is allowed to be supplied to the engine output speed instead of the transmission average power speed. This may allow the power transmitting means to provide output when the transmission means is in a higher gear.

The power transmitting means may include a plurality of clutches configured to allow different gear arrangements to be connected.

Having multiple couplings may allow one or more gear assemblies to be connected and / or disconnected. This enables a plurality of different first output power speeds to be provided by the power transmitting means, thus enabling matching with multiple subgroups of gears by the transmission means.

At least one of the clutches may separate the gear assembly from the input power from the engine and the two wheels on the first axle such that the two wheels on the first axle are coupled to the input power from the engine.

This enables one-to-one switching between the input power of the motor and the first output power of the power transmitting means. This may allow the first output speed of the power transmitting means to exactly match the transmission output of the transmission means when the transmission means is in higher gears.

The couplings may include slippable couplings.

The slidable clutches may be arranged such that the first output speed of the power transmitting means may be adjusted to more than one gear of the transmission means when the gear assembly is connected. This allows the power transmitting means to use fewer gears than the transmission means because a single gear of the power transmitting means can be adapted to the transmission means.

The gears in the gear assembly include planetary gears.

The planetary gears may be arranged such that connecting different stages of the planetary gears enables different first output power speeds to be provided by the power transmitting means.

The system may include a controller configured to determine the current gear of the transmission means and provide a control signal to the power transmitting means indicative of the current gear of the transmission means.

This allows the speed of the power transmission means to be adjusted to the speed of the gear of the transmission means. Using the current gear of the transmission means, a simple input power for controlling the output power of the Power transmission means are provided. This can be simpler than monitoring multiple input powers from multiple sensors.

The vehicle may be a rear transaxle vehicle.

With the engine at the front and the transmission means at the rear, good weight distribution in the vehicle can be provided.

The power transmission means may be arranged to be coupled to the rear of the engine.

This provides an improved weight distribution since this adds the weight behind the engine rather than at the front of the vehicle. This can prevent the vehicle from becoming too heavy at the front.

The power transmitting means may include an electric motor configured to control the position of a clutch.

The electric motor may provide variable control for the output power speeds of the transfer case. This may allow the speed of the first output of the transfer case to be adjusted to the different transmission output speeds of the transmission.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising a system as described in the preceding paragraphs.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a power transmitting means arranged to receive an input power of an engine and to transmit power from the engine via a first output power to drive two wheels on a first axis; wherein the input power from the engine is additionally provided as a second output from the power transmission means to a transmission means via a propeller shaft.

The power transmission means may include: a gear assembly; and at least one clutch arranged to be positioned in use between the engine and the gear assembly; wherein the gear assembly and at least one clutch are configured to enable the transfer case to provide the first output at a plurality of different speeds such that when a transmission means is in a first subgroup of gears, the power transfer means provides the first output speed at a first speed and when a transmission means is in a second, different subset of gears, the power transmission means provides the first output power speed at a second, different speed.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for providing four-wheel drive in a vehicle, the system comprising; a transmission comprising a plurality of gears, wherein the transmission is arranged to be coupled via a propeller shaft to a motor and arranged to drive two primary wheels; a transfer case arranged to be coupled to the engine and arranged to drive two secondary wheels; wherein the transfer case comprises a gear assembly and at least one clutch positioned between the engine and the gear assembly; wherein the gear assembly and the at least one clutch are configured to enable the transfer case to provide output at a plurality of different speeds such that when the transfer case is in a first subset of gears, the transfer case provides output at a first speed, and if the transmission is in a second, different subset of gears, the transfer case provides output power at a second, different speed.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a control system for controlling a four-wheel drive vehicle, comprising: means for receiving one or more signals indicative of a current gear of a transmission; a means for controlling the output power of a transfer case by providing a control signal to the transfer case, the control signal being dependent on the current gear of the transmission.

The control signal may include information indicating the current gear of the transmission.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control system for controlling a four-wheel drive vehicle as described above, wherein; the means for receiving one or more signals indicative of the current gear of a transmission comprises an electronic processor having an electrical input for receiving the one or more signals indicative of the current gear of a transmission; and an electronic storage device electrically coupled to the electronic processor and having instructions stored therein; the means for controlling the output speed of a transfer case by providing a control signal to the transfer case comprises that the processor is configured to access the storage device and execute the instructions stored therein so as to be operable to adjust the output speed of a transfer case by providing a control signal to the transfer case To control transfer case.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for providing four-wheel drive in a vehicle, the system comprising; a transmission means comprising a plurality of gears, wherein the transmission means is arranged to be coupled via a propeller shaft to a motor and arranged to drive two primary wheels; a power transmitting means arranged to be coupled to a motor and configured to drive two secondary wheels; wherein the power transmitting means comprises a first clutch configured to connect a gear order between the propeller shaft and the secondary wheels and a second clutch configured to disconnect the gear assembly such that when the transmission means is in a first subgroup of gears is, the gear arrangement is connected such that the power transmission means provides an output power at a first speed, and when the transmission means is in a second, different subset of gears, the gear arrangement is separated such that the power transmission means an output power at a second, different speed provides.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for providing four-wheel drive in a vehicle, the system comprising; a transmission means comprising a plurality of gears, wherein the transmission means is arranged to be coupled via a propeller shaft to a motor and arranged to drive two primary wheels; a power transmitting means arranged to be coupled to a motor and configured to drive two secondary wheels; wherein the power transmitting means is arranged to provide output power at a plurality of different speeds such that when the transmission means is in a first subgroup of gears, the power transmitting means provides output power at a first speed, and if the transmission means is in a second, different subset of gears, the power transmitting means provides an output power at a second different speed.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for providing four-wheel drive in a vehicle, the system comprising; a transmission means comprising a plurality of gears, wherein the transmission means is arranged to be coupled via a propeller shaft to a motor and arranged to drive two primary wheels; a power transmission means arranged to be coupled to an electric motor and configured to drive two secondary wheels; wherein the power transmitting means comprises a gear assembly and at least one clutch positioned between the electric motor and the gear assembly; wherein the gear assembly and the at least one clutch are configured to allow the power transmitting means to provide output power at a plurality of different speeds such that when the transmission means is in a first subgroup of gears, the power transmitting means provides output power at a first speed, and when the transmission means is in a second, different subset of gears, the power transmission means provides an output at a second, different speed.

It is expressly intended, within the scope of this application, that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives presented in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and / or in the following description and drawings, and in particular, their individual features, be independent of each other or in any combination. This means that all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment can be combined in any manner and / or in any combination, provided that these features are not incompatible. The Applicant reserves the right to change any original claim or submission of any new claim, including the right to change any originally filed claim to depend on and / or integrate any feature of any other claim although it has not been claimed in this way before.

list of figures

• Fig. 1ein beispielhaftes Fahrzeug, das erfindungsgemäße Ausführungsformen umfassen kann;
• 2 ein beispielhaftes System;
• 3 einen Teil eines beispielhaften Systems;
• 4 ein beispielhaftes Verteilergetriebe;
• 5 schematisch eine Ganganordnung und eine oder mehrere Kupplungen;
• 6 schematisch eine weitere Ganganordnung und eine oder mehrere Kupplungen; und
• 7 eine Steuervorrichtung.

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

• 1 is an exemplary vehicle that may include embodiments of the invention;
• 2 an exemplary system;
• 3 a part of an exemplary system;
• 4 an exemplary transfer case;
• 5 schematically a gear arrangement and one or more clutches;
• 6 schematically a further gear arrangement and one or more clutches; and
• 7 a control device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Examples of the present disclosure relate to systems that may be used to drive a four-wheel drive in a vehicle 1 to control. For example, some examples relate to systems that may be used to drive a four-wheel drive in a vehicle 1 to control with rear transaxle transmission.

1 represents an exemplary vehicle 1 that is a system 3 according to examples of the present disclosure. It should be noted that the vehicle 1 out 1 is provided as an example and that examples of disclosure in any vehicle 1 can be provided with four-wheel drive.

2 represents an exemplary system 3 dar. The system 3 out 2 can be used in a vehicle 1 be arranged with rear transaxle in which the engine 15 at the front of the vehicle 1 is stored and the gearbox 7 is stored in the rear. It should be noted that other systems 3 in other types of a vehicle 1 can be used.

3 and 4 make a part of the exemplary system 3 out 2 Corresponding reference numerals are used for corresponding features. 3 represents a transfer case 5 That's the engine 15 is coupled. 4 represents the same transfer case 5 with the engine 15 is removed.

The exemplary system 3 comprises a power transmission means 5 and a transmission means 7 , The power transmission means may be a transfer case 5 include and the transmission means may be a transmission 7 include. The system 3 is arranged to with a motor 15 to be connected in such a way that the transmission 7 Power from the engine 15 to the two primary wheels of the vehicle 1 can provide and the transfer case 5 Power from the engine 15 to the two secondary wheels of the vehicle 1 can provide. A drive shaft 31 can be between the transfer case 5 and the front axle 13 to be provided. A differential gear 41 can be provided between the wheels.

In the exemplary system 3 the primary wheels are the rear wheels 19 of the vehicle 1 , The gear 7 is on the rear axle 9 stored. The gear 7 is with the rear axle 9 connected so that the transmission 7 is arranged, the two rear wheels 19 drive.

The gear 7 is at the engine 15 via a propeller shaft 18 coupled. The PTO shaft 18 can in a push tube 17 to be provided. The PTO shaft 18 is arranged to the engine 15 to the gearbox 7 to couple that power from the engine 15 to the gearbox 7 can be provided. The PTO shaft 18 can be at the same speed as the engine 15 rotate. Thus, the input power speed in the transmission 7 same as the output speed of the motor 15 be.

In the example system 2 is the engine 15 on the gearbox 7 opposite axis 13 stored. The motor 15 is on the front axle 13 stored while the gearbox 7 on the rear axle 9 is stored. Because the engine 15 and the gearbox 7 on different axes 9 . 13 are stored, the propeller shaft extends 18 in the torque tube 17 along the length of the vehicle 1 ,

The gear 7 includes several courses. The gears allow the output power of the transmission 7 one to that of the engine 15 provided input power has different speed. The gear 7 may have any suitable number of gears. In some examples, the transmission may 7 have five courses. In other examples, the transmission may 7 have more than five courses. For example, the gear could 7 six or eight courses or any other suitable number.

The exemplary system 3 can also be a transfer case 5 include. The transfer case 5 may provide a power transmission means. The transfer case 5 Can be arranged to power the engine 15 to the front axle 13 transferred to. This may allow the transfer case 5 driving the two secondary wheels. In the exemplary system 3 out 2 the secondary wheels are the front wheels 11 (as in 1 shown).

The transfer case 5 is arranged to connect to the engine 15 to be coupled. In some examples, the transfer case 5 directly to the engine 15 be coupled without engaging components. The transfer case 5 can be so on the engine 15 be coupled, that the input power to the transfer case 5 at the same speed as the engine 15 provided.

In the example system 2 is the transfer case 5 behind the engine 15 positioned. The transfer case 5 is between the engine 15 and the transmission 7 positioned. The transfer case 5 can be near the front axle 13 to be provided. This can be the length of a required drive shaft between the transfer case 5 and the front axle 13 reduce.

The transfer case 5 includes a power transmission means that allows the transfer case 5 provides an output at a different speed from the input power. In some examples, the transfer case 5 one or more couplings 53 . 55 and a gear arrangement 51 which may be arranged to provide an output at a different speed from the input power.

The one or more couplings 53 . 55 and a gear arrangement 51 can be arranged such that the several different output speeds of the transfer case 5 can be correlated with the different output speeds of the transmission 7 (see for example 5 ). The correlation between the speeds of the transfer case 5 with the speeds of the transmission 7 may allow the output speeds of the transfer case 5 the output power speeds of the transmission 7 are similar or the same. For example, if the gearbox 7 is in a low gear, the one or more clutches 53, 55 and a gear arrangement 51 be arranged to provide a first output speed, which may be a low speed, and when the transmission 7 is in a higher gear, the one or more clutches 53, 55 and a gear arrangement 51 be arranged to provide a second output speed, which may be a higher speed.

The one or more couplings 53 . 55 and a gear arrangement 51 may be arranged such that when the transmission 7 in a first subgroup of aisles is the transfer case 5 provides output power at a first speed, and when the transmission 7 in a second, different subgroup of aisles is the transfer case 5 provides an output at a second, different speed. In some examples, the transfer case represents 5 when the transmission 7 in a third, different subgroup of gears, an output power at a third, different speed is ready.

It should be noted that the transfer case 5 could have any number of output power speeds configured to match any number of subgroups of gears of the transmission 7 match. The subgroups of the gears of the transmission 7 could include one or more courses. In examples where a subset includes more than one gear, the one or more couplings may 53 . 55 and a gear arrangement 51 be arranged to allow the speed of the transfer case a range of through the transmission 7 covered speeds. Different subgroups may include a different number of courses.

5 and 6 provide exemplary gear arrangements 51 and couplings 53 . 55 . 63 schematically, in the transfer case 5 can be provided.

5 makes a gear arrangement 51 and one or more couplings 53 . 55 schematically, in a transfer case 5 can be provided in some examples of the disclosure. The transfer case 5 can be between the engine 15 and the transmission 7 be provided in 2 to 4 is pictured.

In the example off 5 receives the transfer case 5 an input power 52 from the engine 15. The input power 52 from the engine 15 can be at the same speed as the engine 15 to be provided. The input power 52 from the engine 15 can as well as an output power 54 to the gearbox 7 over the propeller shaft 18 to be provided. The gear arrangement 51 and the one or more couplings 53 . 55 are between the input power 52 from the engine 15 and the front axle 13 provided.

The output power 56 of the transfer case 5 gets to the front axle 13 provided to the front wheels 11 drive. The gear arrangement 51 and the one or more clutches 53, 55 control the speed of the output speed power 56 , The gear assembly 51 and the one or more clutches 53 . 55 are arranged to the output speed of the transfer case 5 with the output speed of the transmission 7 to interrelate. In some examples, the gear arrangement 51 and the one or more couplings 53 . 55 be arranged to allow the output power speed of the transfer case 5 with the output speed performance of the transmission 7 matches.

The transfer case 5 includes a first clutch 53 and a second clutch 55 , In other examples, more than two couplings could 53 . 55 to be provided. Having more than two clutches 53 . 55 could allow several different gear arrangements 51 with the input power 52 from the engine 15 be connected, and allow a greater number of different output speeds through the transfer case 5 can be provided.

The first clutch 53 is on a gear arrangement 51 coupled. The first clutch 53 allows the gear arrangement 51 between the input power from the motor 15 and the output power of the front axle 13 can be connected.

In the example off 5 includes the gear arrangement 51 two planetary gears. The planetary gears comprise a first planetary stage 57 and a second planetary stage 59 , The two-stage gear arrangement 51 may allow two different switching ratios to be provided. This allows for multiple output power speeds through the gear assembly 51 to be provided.

The second clutch 55 is not the gear arrangement 51 coupled. The second clutch 55 allows the gear arrangement 51 between the input power 52 from the engine 15 and the output power 56 the front axle 13 can be separated. The second clutch 55 allows the input power 52 from the engine 15 with the output power 56 with the front axle 13 can be connected.

The exemplary transfer case 5 has three speeds due to different gear arrangement configurations 51 and the couplings 53 . 55 to be provided. The first speed can be provided when the first clutch 53 is closed and the first planetary stage 57 the gear arrangement 51 is held firmly. The second speed may be provided when the first clutch 53 is closed and the first planetary stage 57 the gear arrangement 51 is engaged with the carrier of the planetary gear. The third speed can be provided by the first clutch 53 is opened and the second clutch 55 is closed. This separates the gear arrangement 51 from the input power 52 from the engine 15 and allows the output power 56 to the front axle 13 with the input power 52 from the engine 15 can be connected. The third speed can be one-to-one switching with the input power 52 from the engine 15 and the propeller shaft 18 enable.

The clutch and gear assembly may be arranged such that the output speeds of the transfer case 5 with the output powers of the gearbox 7 to match. If the speeds are adjusted, they could be the same or similar to the speed of the transmission 7 be. In some examples, the first speed of the transfer case 5 with the lower gears of the transmission 7 to match. The lower gears could be the first and second gears of the transmission 7 be. The second speed of the transfer case 5 could be with the middle gears of the transmission 7 to match. The middle gears could be the third and the fourth gear. The third speed of the transfer case 5 could be with the higher gears of the transmission 7 to match. The higher gears of the transmission 7 could be the fifth and / or higher gears.

As an example, the first speed of the transfer case 5 the second speed may have a gear ratio of 1.9: 1 and the third speed may have a ratio of 1: 1. It should be understood that other gear ratios could be provided in other examples of the disclosure.

The transfer case 5 Could be configured to provide a control signal indicating the current gear of the transmission 7 indicates to receive. In response to receiving the control signal, the transfer case 5 be arranged to the couplings 53 . 55 and the gear arrangement 51 to control the current gear of the transmission 7 provide appropriate output power speed.

In the example off 5 has the gearbox 7 five speeds, the transfer case 5 however, it only has three. Because the gear 7 more speeds than the transfer case 5 have, are the gear arrangement 51 and the couplings 53 . 55 of the transfer case 5 arranged such that the one configuration of the transfer case 5 more than one speed of the transmission 7 can overlap. In the example off 5 This can be achieved by having slippery couplings. The slidable clutches may be arranged such that in some gear configurations of the transmission 7 and the transfer case 5 the couplings 53 . 55 can be arranged to slip under torque at a fixed speed, to allow the correct wheel speed through both the front wheels 11 as well as the rear wheels 19 provided. The slidable clutches may be arranged to slip in gear configurations in which the ratio of engine speed to wheel speed for the rear wheels 19 not with the ratio of engine speed to wheel speed for the front wheels 11 matches. Other suitable means may be used in other examples of the disclosure.

If both of the couplings 53 . 55 are disconnected, then the input power 52 from the engine 15 not with the transfer case 5 connected. The four-wheel drive is switched off because no power from the transfer case 5 to the front wheels 19 provided.

6 represents another gear arrangement 51 and a clutch 63 schematically, in a transfer case 5 can be provided in some examples of the disclosure.

The transfer case 5 out 6 includes a gear arrangement 51 and a clutch 63 and an electric motor 61 , The electric motor 61 Can be configured to power to the front wheels 11 about the gear arrangement 51 provide. The electric motor 61 can provide a secondary engine. The position of the coupling 63 can be controlled by an electro-mechanical or hydraulic actuator. This can control the torque through the gear assembly 51. The by the electric motor 61 provided power and / or the position of the clutch 63 can be arranged such that the output power of the transfer case 5 with the output speed of the gearbox 7 can be correlated.

The by the electric motor 61 provided power and / or the position of the clutch 63 can be controlled in response to an input control signal. The electric motor 61 can be a the current gear of the transmission 7 receive the indicating control signal. In response to the control signal, the electric motor 61 by the electric motor 61 provided power and / or the position of the clutch 63 Taxes.

The coupling 63 can be arranged in an open configuration that allows the electric motor 61 from the front wheels 11 is disconnected. In such arrangements, no output power 56 from the transfer case 5 to the front axle 13 provided.

In examples of the disclosure, the configuration of the gear assembly 51 and the couplings 53 , 55, 63 in the transfer case 5 depending on the current gear of the transmission 7 , A control device 71 can be provided to allow the arrangement of the transfer case 5 can be controlled to the current gear of the transmission 7 with the output speed of the transfer case 5 to correlate. The control device 71 can be configured to have an input power that reflects the current gear of the transmission 7 indicates and receive an output control signal to the transfer case 5 to provide the output speed of the transfer case 5 to control.

An exemplary control device 71 is in 7 shown and described below. In other examples, the control device could 71 a hydraulic and / or mechanical system or any other means.

7 illustrates an exemplary controller 71 The control device 71 can be a chip or a chipset. The control device 71 can be part of one or more systems in the vehicle 1 are included, train. The control device 71 can be configured to the four-wheel drive of the vehicle 1 to control.

The installation of a control device 71 can be done as a control device circuit. The control device 71 may be hardware-only, may include certain aspects of software, including firmware alone, or may be a combination of hardware and software (including firmware).

As in 7 illustrated, the control device 71 using instructions that include hardware functionality, for example, using executable instructions of a computer program 77 in a general purpose processor or in a special processor 73 which may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium (floppy disk, memory, etc.) to pass through such a processor 73 to be executed.

The processor 73 is configured to the memory 75 to read and describe this. The processor 73 may also have an output interface over which data and / or commands are provided by the processor 73 and include an input interface via which data and / or instructions are sent to the processor 73 be entered.

The memory 75 saves a computer program 73 , the computer program instructions 79 (Computer program code), which is the operation of the control device 71 controls when it is in the processor 73 is loaded. The computer program instructions 79 of the computer program 77 provide the logic and routines that enable the controller 71 the output power of the transfer case 5 controls. The processor 73 is by reading the memory 75 capable of the computer program 77 to load and execute.

The control device 71 therefore comprises at least one processor 73 ; and at least one memory 75 including computer program code, wherein the at least one memory 75 and the computer program code is configured with the at least one processor 73 to cause the control device 71 at least: receiving one or more current gear of a transmission 7 indicating signals and controlling the output speed of a transfer case 5 by providing a control signal to the transfer case 5 , wherein the control signal depends on the current gear of the transmission 7 is.

As in 7 represented, the computer program can 77 at the control device 71 via any suitable delivery mechanism 81 Arrive. The delivery mechanism 81 For example, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, a computer program product, a storage device, a recording medium such as a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), or a digital versatile disc (DVD) may be a manufactured product containing the computer program 77 tangibly embodied. The delivery mechanism may be a signal configured to the computer program 77 reliable transfer. The control device 71 can the computer program 77 as a computer data signal multiply or transmit.

Although the memory 75 shown as a single component / circuit, it may be implemented as one or more discrete components / circuits, some or all of which may be built-in / removable and / or a permanent / semi-permanent / dynamic / Cache memory.

Although the processor 73 As a single component / circuit, it may be implemented as one or more discrete components / circuitry, some or all of which may be incorporated / removable. The processor 10 may be a single core or multi-core processor.

For purposes of this disclosure, it is to be understood that the controller (s) described herein may each include a controller or computing device having one or more electronic processors. A vehicle and / or a system thereof may comprise a single control unit or an electronic control device or, alternatively, different functions of the control device (s) may be embodied or incorporated into various control units or control devices. A set of instructions could be provided which, when executed, cause the controller (s) or controller (s) to implement the control techniques described herein (including the described method (s)). The set of instructions may be embedded in one or more electronic processors, or alternatively, the set of instructions could be provided as software executed by one or more electronic processors. For example, a first controller may be implemented in software running on one or more electronic processors, and one or more other controllers may also be implemented in software running on one or more electronic processors, optionally the same or a plurality of processors as those first control device. It should be understood, however, that other arrangements are also useful, and thus, the present disclosure is not intended to limit a particular arrangement. In any event, the embodiments described above may be embedded in a computer-readable storage medium (eg, a non-volatile storage medium) that includes any mechanism for storing information in a form readable by a machine or electronic processor / computing device, including, but without limitation: a magnetic storage medium (eg, a floppy disk); an optical storage medium (eg, CD-ROM); a magnetic optical storage medium; a read-only memory (ROM); a random access memory (RAM); an erasable storable memory (eg EPROM ad EEPROM); a flash memory; or electrical or other types of media for storing such information / instructions.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be understood that modifications of the examples given may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. In the examples described above, there is provided a rear transaxle vehicle in which the engine is mounted at the front of the vehicle and the transmission is at the rear. In other examples, the engine could be mounted at the rear of the vehicle and the transmission could be stored at the front.

Features described in the foregoing description may be used in combinations other than those expressly described.

Although functions related to certain features have been described, these functions are performable by other functions, described or not.

Although features have been described with reference to particular embodiments, these features may be present in other embodiments, whether described or not.

While seeking to draw attention in the above specification to these inventive features, which are believed to be of particular importance, it is to be understood that Applicant, by reference to each patentable feature or patentable combination of features, is directed to the present invention / which has been referred to above and / or that shown in the drawings, whether a particular focus has been placed on it or not, claims protection.

Claims (25)

A system for providing four-wheel drive in a vehicle, the system comprising; a power transmitting means arranged to receive an input from an engine and arranged to transmit power from the engine via a first output power to drive two wheels on a first axis; wherein the input from the engine is additionally provided as a second output from the power transmission means to a transmission means via a propeller shaft; wherein the transmission means is arranged to transmit power from the engine to drive two wheels on a second axis. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transmission means is a transmission and the power transmission means is a transfer case. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the power transmitting means comprises a gear assembly and at least one clutch disposed between the engine and the gear assembly. System after Claim 3 wherein the gear assembly and the at least one clutch are configured to enable the power transmitting means to provide the first output power at a plurality of different first output power speeds for driving the two wheels on the first axle; and wherein the transmission means comprises a plurality of gears, the gears being arranged to provide a transmission drive at a plurality of different transmission drive speeds for driving the two wheels on the second axle. System after Claim 4 wherein the gear assembly and the at least one clutch are arranged such that the plurality of different first output power speeds of the power transmitting means may be correlated with the plurality of different transmission output speeds of the transmission means. System after Claim 5 wherein the interrelation of the plurality of first output power speeds of the power transmitting means and the plurality of transmission output power speeds of the transmission means enables the first output speed of the power transmitting means to coincide with the transmission output speed of the transmission means. System according to one of Claims 4 - 6 wherein, when the transmission means is in a first subset of gears, the power transmitting means provides the first output speed at a first speed and, when the transmission means is in a second, different subset of gears, the power transmitting means sets the first output speed at a second speed; different speed provides. System after Claim 7 wherein the gear assembly and the at least one clutch are configured such that when the transmission means is in a third different subset of gears, the power transmitting means provides the first output power speed at a third, different speed. System according to one of Claims 3 to 8th wherein the power transmitting means comprises a plurality of clutches configured to allow different gear arrangements to be connected. System according to one of Claims 3 to 9 wherein one or more of the at least one clutch disconnects the gear assembly from the input of the engine and the two wheels on the first axle and couples the two wheels on the first axle to the input from the engine. System after Claim 10 wherein the one or more of the at least one clutch, which separates the gear arrangement, enabling one-to-one switching between the input from the motor and the first output power of the power transmitting means. System according to one of Claims 3 to 11 wherein one or more of the at least one clutch comprises a slidable clutch. System according to one of Claims 3 to 12 wherein the gears in the gear assembly comprise planetary gears. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the input to the power transfer means is rotating at engine output power speed. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a controller configured to determine a current gear of the transmission means and to provide a control signal to the power transmission means indicating the current gear of the transmission means. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle is a rear transaxle vehicle. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the power transmitting means is arranged to be coupled to the rear of the engine. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the power transmitting means is coupled to an electric motor that provides power to the power transmitting means. A vehicle comprising a system according to any one of the preceding claims. Power transmitting means arranged to receive an input from an engine and to transmit power from the engine via a first output power to drive two wheels on a first axis; wherein the input from the engine is additionally provided as a second output from the power transmitting means to a transmission means via a propeller shaft. Power transmission means according to Claim 20 wherein the power transmission means comprises: a gear assembly; and at least one clutch arranged to be positioned in use between the engine and the gear assembly; wherein the gear assembly and the at least one clutch are configured to enable the power transmitting means to provide the first output power at a plurality of different first output power speeds such that when the transmission means is in a first subgroup of gears, the power transmitting means is the first output power speed at a first one Provides speed, and when a transmission means is in a second, different subset of gears, the power transmitting means provides the first output power speed at a second, different speed. Power transmission means according to Claim 20 or 21 wherein the transmission means is a transmission and the power transmission means is a transfer case. System, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings and / or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. A vehicle substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings and / or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Transfer case, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings and / or as shown in the accompanying drawings.

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