System for Controlling Torque Distribution

Abstract

A torque distribution control system comprises a torsion unit for detecting traction on wheels of a primary driving axle that is continuously engaged with a drive source or a source of torque power. The amount of traction detected is converted to a signal with variable signal strength, the signal strength correlating to the amount of traction detected by the torsion unit. The signal strength capable of being adjusted automatically based on select parameters and/or manually based on a driver's input. And, in response to the signal, actuators engage and control operations of the vehicle such as the drive source, a braking system, and/or an axle clutch, with the level of engagement dependent upon the signal strength.

1 . A system for controlling torque distribution, comprising:
 a shaft powered by a drive source, the shaft separated into a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion, with the first shaft portion connected to the second shaft portion by an elastic element;   a primary driving axle that is mechanically connected to the shaft and is continuously engaged by the drive source;   a secondary driving axle not continuously engaged by the drive source;   an axle clutch capable of engaging the secondary driving axle; and   at least one actuator capable of controlling operation of the drive source, a braking system, and/or the axle clutch;   wherein the elastic element deforms when the first shaft portion rotates at a different speed than the second shaft portion.   
     
     
         2 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a housing partially or fully enclosing the elastic element;   a hollow rotary component attached to the housing, the hollow rotary component having at least one dimple;   a disk with at least one protruding stem having a rounded end, the disk attached to the shaft by a spline joint; and   a control lever suspended on a stationary pivot, the control lever connected to the actuator on one side of the pivot and connected to the disk on the other side of the pivot;   wherein the dimple is capable of interacting with the protruding stem.   
     
     
         3 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a clutch line with an engagement device at one end and connected to the control lever at the other end; and   a clutch adjuster installed on the clutch line;   wherein the control lever is capable of engaging the axle clutch through the clutch line.   
     
     
         4 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a brake line connected to the control lever at one end and to the braking system at the other end; and   a brake adjuster installed on the brake line.   
     
     
         5 . A system for controlling torque distribution, comprising:
 a shaft rotatable by a drive source when a primary clutch is engaged, the shaft separated into a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion;   an elastic element capable of differentiating between a first rotational speed of the first shaft portion and a second rotational speed of the second shaft portion;   a primary driving axle that is connected to the shaft and is continuously engaged by the drive source when the primary clutch is engaged;   a secondary driving axle not continuously engaged by the drive source when the primary clutch is engaged;   an axle clutch capable of engaging the secondary driving axle; and   a control device capable of controlling operation of the drive source, a transmission, a braking system, and/or the axle clutch;   wherein the control device sends signals depending on the difference in rotational speed between the first rotational speed and the speed rotational speed.   
     
     
         6 . A system as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the signals are of variable strengths and the control device sends stronger signals as the difference in rotational speed between the first rotational speed and the speed rotational speed increases. 
     
     
         7 . A system as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the axle clutch will engage the secondary driving axle if the strength of the signals fall below a threshold. 
     
     
         8 . A system as claimed in  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a housing partially or completely enclosing the elastic element;   a rotary component attached to the housing, the rotary component having at least one dimple; and   a disk connected to the shaft with a spline joint, the disk having at least one protrusion with a rounded end, the rounded end being capable of interacting with the dimple;   wherein the rounded end interacts with the dimple depending on the difference in rotational speed between the first rotational speed and the speed rotational speed, and the disk slides along the spline joint depending on the interaction between the rounded end and the dimple.   
     
     
         9 . A system as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the difference in rotational speed between the first rotational speed and the speed rotational speed causes the elastic element to deform, which causes the dimple and the rounded end to rotate at different speeds about a longitudinal axis of the shaft, forcing the rounded end out of the dimple. 
     
     
         10 . A system as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the control device is a control lever suspended about a pivot, the control lever connected to the disk on one side of the pivot, the control lever connected to at least one actuator on the other side of the pivot, the actuator capable of controlling operation of the drive source, a braking system, and/or the axle clutch. 
     
     
         11 . A system as claimed in  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a housing partially or completely enclosing the elastic element;   two spline joints, one on each end of the first shaft portion, with one of the spline joints connected to the housing; and   a disk rotatably mounted on the first shaft portion between the two spline joints, the disk connected to the control device.   
     
     
         12 . A system as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the elastic element is a spring. 
     
     
         13 . A torque distribution control system, comprising:
 means for detecting traction on wheels of a primary driving axle that is continuously engaged with a drive source or a source of torque power;   means for converting the amount of traction detected to a signal with a variable signal strength, the signal strength correlating to the amount of traction detected by the detection means;   means for adjusting the signal strength, said adjustment means making signal strength adjustments automatically based on select parameters and/or manually based on a driver's input; and   in response to the signal, means for engaging mechanisms and other systems, with the level of engagement dependent upon the signal strength.   
     
     
         14 . A system as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said engagement means engages a clutch of a secondary driving axle.