VEHICLE AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING A VEHICLE

摘要

Embodiments of the invention provide a vehicle comprising: prime mover means; at least first and second groups of one or more wheels; and a driveline to connect the prime mover means to the first and second groups of one or more wheels such that the first group of one or more wheels is driven by the prime mover means when the driveline is in a first mode of operation and the second group of one or more wheels is additionally driven by the prime mover means when the driveline is in a second mode of operation, the driveline including an auxiliary driveline comprising an auxiliary driveshaft and drive means between the auxiliary driveshaft and the second group of one or more wheels, the drive means being operable to connect the second group of one or more wheels to the auxiliary driveshaft when the driveline transitions between the first mode and the second mode, the drive means having an input portion, an output portion and first and second releasable torque transmitting means coupled in series therebetween, the first releasable torque transmitting means having an input portion and an output portion, the first releasable torque transmitting means being operable to allow slip between the respective portions thereby to modulate an amount of torque transmitted from the input to the output portion, the second releasable torque transmitting means also having an input portion and an output portion, the second releasable torque transmitting means being operable between a first condition in which the input portion is isolated from the output portion and a second condition in which the input and output portions are directly coupled such that torque applied to the input portion is transmitted substantially directly to the output portion.

主权项

1. A vehicle comprising:
prime mover means; at least first and second groups of one or more wheels; and a driveline to connect the prime mover means to the first and second groups of one or more wheels such that the first group of one or more wheels may be driven by the prime mover means when the driveline is in a first mode of operation and the second group of one or more wheels may additionally be driven by the prime mover means when the driveline is in a second mode of operation, the driveline including an auxiliary portion for connecting the second group of one or more wheels comprising an auxiliary driveshaft and drive means between the auxiliary driveshaft and the second group of one or more wheels, the drive means having:
an input portion;an output portion; andfirst and second releasable torque transmitting means coupled in series between the input portion and the output portion, the first releasable torque transmitting means having an input portion and an output portion, the first releasable torque transmitting means being operable to allow slip between its input and output portions thereby to modulate an amount of torque transmitted from the input portion to the output portion, the second releasable torque transmitting means also having an input portion and an output portion, the second releasable torque transmitting means being operable between a first condition in which its input portion is substantially isolated from its output portion and a second condition in which its input and output portions are directly coupled such that torque applied to the input portion is transmitted substantially directly to the output portion.