| 摘要 |
A drive axle assembly, such as a tandem axle, is provided for transmitting torque from a main drive shaft to at least one of a first drive axle and a second drive axle. An input shaft is driven by the main drive shaft and has a helical gear in fixed engagement therewith, and in driving engagement with the first drive axle. An output shaft is disposed coaxially with the input drive shaft and includes clutch means in fixed engagement with the output shaft. The clutch means includes a set of clutch teeth which, when the clutch means is shifted into operative position, engages a mating set of clutch teeth on the helical gear. Thus, under normal operating conditions such as on dry pavement, all of the torque from the main drive shaft is transmitted to the first drive axle, but under abnormal, slippery conditions the clutch means may be shifted into engagement with the helical gear so that the torque from the main drive shaft is divided between the first and second drive axles, minimizing the likelihood of wheel "spin out." There may be included sensors for sensing the rotational speed of each of the drive axles, as well as an actuator which shifts the clutch into engagement with the helical gear in response to an indication that the sensors have sensed a rotational speed difference between the drive axles which is in excess of a predetermined limit. If such an automatic actuating arrangement is utilized, it is preferable to include a time delay arrangement so that the clutch will remain in its operative condition for a predetermined period of time after the input shaft and output shaft have been locked and the rotational speed difference reduced to zero. |
