Patent · US Expired

Differential control system for four-wheel drive vehicle

US5197566A · kind A · utility

17Cited by
11References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 18, 1991
Grant dateMar 30, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 18, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60K23/0808
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A four-wheel drive vehicle has a center differential which transmits the output torque of a power plant to both front and rear wheels in such a manner as to permit the front and rear wheels to rotate at different speeds. A differential control system has a differential rotation limit member which acts on the center differential to limit differential rotation of the front and rear wheels to a degree which is increased as the difference in rotational speed between the front and rear wheels increases. The degree of limitation on the differential rotation of the front and rear wheels is changed according to a predetermined characteristics which nullifies the degree of limitation in a range where the difference in rotational speed is relatively small and provides a gain in a range where the difference in rotational speed is relatively large. The gain is changed according to a factor which governs the running condition of the vehicle.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.