STEUEREINRICHTUNG FUER EIN VIERRADGETRIEBENES FAHRZEUG MIT MITTENDIFFERENTIAL.

摘要

A control apparatus is provided for a four-wheel drive vehicle having a center differential mechanism which allows a difference in rotating speed between front and rear wheels so as to absorb a difference in turning radius developed between the front and rear wheels when the vehicle is cornering, and a center differential clutch for limiting differential action of the center differential mechanism. The control apparatus has front-wheel torque sensing means (58, 59, 6l, 62) provided on a front wheel drive shaft (46, 47, 48). When a negative torque is sensed on the front-wheel side while the vehicle is traveling with a restraint placed upon the differential action of the center differential mechanism, the restraint is reduced or removed automatically. This prevents occurrence of a tight corner braking phenomenon and permits the function of the center differential mechanism to fully manifest itself. The vehicle is kept in a stable and safe traveling condition in which driving force is fully utilized.