Multi-mode tandem axle function selection apparatus and method

摘要

A drive axle system (10) and a method for adapting a shift schedule of a drive axle system (10) based on an input is provided. The drive axle system (10) comprises a first shaft (18), a first axle assembly (14), a second axle assembly (16), a clutching device (28), a controller (55), and a plurality of sensors (75). The plurality of sensors (75) are in communication with the controller (55) for sensing at least one of an environmental condition and at least one operating condition the drive axle system (10). Based on the information from the plurality of sensors (75) the controller (55) selects one of a plurality of shift schedules and places the clutching device (28) in one of a first position and a second position.

主权项

1. A method of shifting a drive axle system for a vehicle from a first operating state to a second operating state, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a controller; providing a plurality of sensors in communication with the controller; drivingly engaging a first axle assembly with a first output of the drive axle system; drivingly engaging a second axle assembly with a second output of the drive axle system; drivingly engaging an input of the drive axle system with an output of a power source, the drive axle system including an inter-axle differential, the first output, the second output, and a first clutching device having a first position and a second position, the first clutching device in the first position locking the inter-axle differential, engaging the first output with the input of the drive axle system, and disengaging the second output from the inter-axle differential, the first clutching device in the second position unlocking the inter-axle differential and engaging the first output and the second output with the inter-axle differential; sensing at least one of an environmental condition and at least one operating condition of at least one of the first axle assembly, the second axle assembly, and the power source; communicating information from the plurality of sensors to the controller; selecting one of a plurality of shift schedules using the controller based on the information from the plurality of sensors; placing the first clutching device in one of the first position and the second position according to one of the shift schedules; applying a rotational force to the input of the drive axle system; adjusting the rotational force transferred to the drive axle system to facilitate moving the first clutching device; moving the first clutching device from one of the first position and the second position to a third position, the first clutching device in the third position neither locking the inter-axle differential nor engaging the second output with the inter-axle differential; adjusting a rotational speed of the input of the drive axle system to facilitate moving the first clutching device from the third position; moving the first clutching device from the third position to one of the first and second positions according to one of the shift schedules; and adjusting the rotational force transferred to the drive axle system.