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EP-4739929-A1 - A DISCONNECT MODULE

EP4739929A1EP 4739929 A1EP4739929 A1EP 4739929A1EP-4739929-A1

Abstract

A disconnect module (60) for a vehicle (1) is provided. The disconnect module comprises a connection sleeve (61) comprising a first end (62) being configured to be free to rotate relative an input shaft (23, 24) and a second end (65) being rotationally connected to an output shaft (4b, 7b), and a shift sleeve (68) having a first end (69) being rotationally connected to the input shaft (23, 24), wherein the shift sleeve (68) is axially moveable to rotationally connect or disconnect the shift sleeve (68) to/from the connection sleeve (61).

Inventors

  • WENDT, HENRIK
  • WILSON, KARL

Assignees

  • BorgWarner Sweden AB

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20240703

Claims (10)

  1. 1. A disconnect module (60) for a vehicle (1), comprising a connection sleeve (61) comprising a first end (62) being configured to be free to rotate relative an input shaft (23, 24) and a second end (65) being rotationally connected to an output shaft (4b, 7b), and a shift sleeve (68) having a first end (69) being rotationally connected to the input shaft (23, 24), wherein the shift sleeve (68) is axially moveable to rotationally connect or disconnect the shift sleeve (68) to/from the connection sleeve (61).
  2. 2. The disconnect module (60) according to claim 1, further comprising two bearings (64, 66) supporting the first and second ends (62, 65) of the connection sleeve (61), respectively.
  3. 3. The disconnect module (60) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a bearing support ring (63) being rotationally connected to the input shaft (23, 24) and supporting the first end (62) of the connection sleeve (61).
  4. 4. The disconnect module (60) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the shift sleeve (68) comprises at least one row of internal splines (71), and wherein the connection sleeve (61) comprises the same number of rows of external splines (72).
  5. 5. The disconnect module (60) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an electric actuator (80) configured to control the axial position of the shift sleeve (68).
  6. 6. The disconnect module (60) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the shift sleeve (68) is arranged radially outside the connection sleeve (61).
  7. 7. A vehicle axle (3, 6) comprising a disconnect module (60) according to any of the preceding claims.
  8. 8. The vehicle axle (3, 6) according to claim 7, further comprising a differential (20) and a wheel shaft (4b, 7b), wherein said disconnect module (60) is arranged to disconnect the wheel shaft (4b, 7b) from the differential (20).
  9. 9. The vehicle axle (3, 6) according to claim 8, wherein the differential (20) comprises a side gear (23) forming the input shaft (23, 24) for the disconnect module (60).
  10. 10. The vehicle axle (3, 6) according to claim 9, wherein the side gear (23) extends into a hollow shaft (24), and wherein the shift sleeve (68) is rotationally connected to said hollow shaft (24).

Description

A DISCONNECT MODULE Technical Field The present invention relates a disconnect module. In particular, the present invention relates to a disconnect module configured to disconnect a vehicle driveline from an associated wheel of the vehicle. Background In the automotive industry there is a need for improving energy efficiency. Especially with modern vehicles, energy consumption is a major concern and there is a desire to be able to disconnect certain components when driving torque is not needed in order to minimize losses in the drivetrain. Yet further, devices for enabling disconnect should preferably be kept as small as possible in order to fit within the available space, which is normally very limited. When addressing these two objects, there is also a desire for the disconnect device to be of a modular design such that it can be added to the topology of the drivetrain without requiring significant design modifications. A solution addressing these issues in combination has so far not been suggested, and in view of the above problems of the prior art, there is a need for an improved disconnect device. Summary In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a disconnect module which is compact, robust, and simple and that can be added easily to a driveline of a vehicle. Yet further, an object is to provide a disconnect module which is configured to disconnect a wheel axle from a differential output. According to a first aspect, a disconnect module for a vehicle is provided. The disconnect module comprises a connection sleeve comprising a first end being configured to be free to rotate relative an input shaft and a second end being rotationally connected to an output shaft. The disconnect module further comprises a shift sleeve having a first end being rotationally connected to the input shaft, wherein the shift sleeve is axially moveable to rotationally connect or disconnect the shift sleeve to/from the connection sleeve. The disconnect module may further comprise two bearings supporting the first and second ends of the connection sleeve, respectively. The disconnect module may further comprise a bearing support ring being rotationally connected to the input shaft and supporting the first end of the connection sleeve. The shift sleeve may comprise at least one row of internal splines, and the connection sleeve comprises the same number of rows of external splines. Preferably, the number of splines is three. The disconnect module may further comprise an electric actuator configured to control the axial position of the shift sleeve. The shift sleeve may be arranged radially outside the connection sleeve. According to a second aspect, a vehicle or vehicle axle is provided. The vehicle or vehicle axle comprises a disconnect module according to the first aspect. The vehicle or vehicle axle may further comprise a differential and a wheel shaft, wherein said disconnect module may be arranged to disconnect the wheel shaft from the differential. The differential may comprise a side gear forming the input shaft for the disconnect module. The side gear may extend into a hollow shaft, and the shift sleeve may be rotationally connected to said hollow shaft. Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will be described in further details below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a vehicle according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a disconnect module mounted to a differential according to an embodiment. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a disconnect module in a connected state. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a disconnect module in a disconnected state. Figs. 5a-b are schematic cross-sectional views of a vehicle drive axle according to an embodiment, comprising a disconnect module in connected and disconnected state. Detailed Description In Fig. 1 a vehicle 1 is schematically shown. The vehicle 1 is only shown as an example, and various configuration could be possible for the concepts described herein. The vehicle 1 comprises a front axle 3 and a rear axle 6. The front axle 3 is provided with two front axle wheel shafts 4a, 4b, each supporting a respective left and right front wheel 5a, 5b. The rear axle 6 is provided with two rear axle wheel shafts 7a, 7b, each supporting a respective left and right rear wheel 8a, 8b. The front axle 3 may be a driven axle. For this purpose the front axle 3 is driven by a torque source, such as an electrical traction motor 10. The electrical traction motor 10 supplies drive torque to a differential 20, which in turn is connected to the respective left and right front wheel shafts 4a, 4b in order to drive the front wheels 5a, 5b. The rear axle 6 may be a driven axle. For this purpose the rear axle 6 is driven by a torque source, such as an electrical traction motor 30. The electrical traction motor 30 supplies drive torque to a differential 20 arranged at the rear axle 6,