Torque vectoring unit

Abstract

A torque vectoring unit for use with a motor vehicle including a differential unit, a gear arrangement and a clutch system. The gear arrangement is connected to the differential unit and includes a first gear set, a second gear set, a third gear set and a common shaft. The clutch system is selectively connected to the gear arrangement and includes a concentric inner clutch and a concentric outer clutch drivingly to an actuator. The actuator actuates each clutch independently. The first gear set includes an external gear supported on the common shaft and an internal gear selectively in engagement with the outer clutch. The second gear set includes an external gear supported on the common shaft and an internal gear selectively in engagement with the inner clutch. The third gear set includes an external gear coupled to the common shaft and an internal gear coupled to a differential case.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A torque vectoring unit, comprising:
 a first shaft having a first clutch and a second clutch connected thereto; and   at least one gear arrangement at least partially supported on a second shaft, wherein each of the first clutch and the second clutch is selectively in driving engagement with the at least one gear arrangement.   
     
     
         2 . The torque vectoring unit of  claim 1 , further comprising a third shaft, wherein the second shaft is at least one of eccentrically aligned with and disposed about the third shaft. 
     
     
         3 . The torque vectoring unit of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one gear arrangement includes a first gear set, a second gear set, and a third gear set. 
     
     
         4 . The torque vectoring unit of  claim 3 , wherein the first clutch is selectively in driving engagement with the second gear set. 
     
     
         5 . The torque vectoring unit of  claim 3 , wherein the second clutch is selectively in driving engagement with the first gear set. 
     
     
         6 . The torque vectoring unit of  claim 3 , further comprising a differential unit drivingly connected to the at least one gear arrangement, wherein the third gear set is rotatably coupled to the differential unit. 
     
     
         7 . A torque vectoring unit, comprising:
 a first shaft connected to a first clutch; and   a second shaft disposed about a third shaft, the second shaft having a gear arrangement at least partially supported thereon.   
     
     
         8 . The torque vectoring unit of  claim 7 , further comprising a differential unit in driving engagement with the gear arrangement. 
     
     
         9 . The torque vectoring unit of  claim 7 , further comprising a fourth shaft, wherein at least one of the third shaft and the fourth shaft is coupled to the differential unit. 
     
     
         10 . The torque vectoring unit of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the third shaft and the fourth shaft is disposed in eccentric alignment with the second shaft. 
     
     
         11 . The torque vectoring unit of  claim 9 , wherein the second shaft is disposed about at least one of the third shaft and the fourth shaft. 
     
     
         12 . The torque vectoring unit of  claim 9 , wherein the first shaft is connected to a second clutch, where the second clutch is at least one of coaxially aligned with and concentrically disposed about the first clutch. 
     
     
         13 . The torque vectoring unit of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the first clutch and the second clutch is selectively in driving engagement with the gear arrangement. 
     
     
         14 . The torque vectoring unit of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the third shaft and the fourth shaft is drivingly connected to at least one of the first clutch and the second clutch. 
     
     
         15 . A torque vectoring unit, comprising:
 a first clutch connected to a first shaft;   a second clutch connected to the first shaft and concentrically disposed about the first clutch;   at least one gear arrangement at least partially supported on a second shaft, wherein each of the first clutch and the second clutch is selectively in driving engagement with the at least one gear arrangement; and   a differential unit in driving engagement with the at least one gear arrangement, wherein the differential unit includes a third shaft and a fourth shaft coupled thereto, wherein one of the third shaft and the fourth shaft is selectively connected to at least one of the first clutch and the second clutch.   
     
     
         16 . The torque vectoring unit of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one gear arrangement includes a first gear set having a first gear reduction ratio, a second gear set having a second gear reduction ratio, and a third gear set, and wherein the first gear reduction ratio is less than the second gear reduction ratio. 
     
     
         17 . The torque vectoring unit of  claim 15 , wherein an engagement of the first clutch generates an oversteer yaw moment when a rotational speed of the one of the third and fourth shafts which is selectively connected to the at least one of the first and second clutches is greater than a rotational speed of a remaining one of the third and fourth shafts. 
     
     
         18 . The torque vectoring unit of  claim 15 , wherein an engagement of the second clutch generates an understeer yaw moment when a rotational speed of the one of the third and fourth shafts which is selectively connected to the at least one of the first and second clutches is greater than a rotational speed of a remaining one of the third and fourth shafts. 
     
     
         19 . The torque vectoring unit of  claim 15 , wherein an engagement of the first clutch generates an understeer yaw moment when a rotational speed of the one of the third and fourth shafts which is selectively connected to the at least one of the first and second clutches is less than a rotational speed of a remaining one of the third and fourth shafts. 
     
     
         20 . The torque vectoring unit of  claim 15 , wherein an engagement of the second clutch generates an oversteer yaw moment when a rotational speed of the one of the third and fourth shafts which is selectively connected to the at least one of the first and second clutches is less than a rotational speed of a remaining one of the third and fourth shafts.