Patent · US Expired

Torque vectoring device having an electric motor/brake actuator and friction clutch

US7175557B2 · kind B2 · utility

25Cited by
22References
40Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 30, 2004
Grant dateFeb 13, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 22, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF16H2048/343
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

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.

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