The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 10, 2012
Filed:
Aug. 30, 2007
Brian E. Beechie, Armada, MI (US);
Daniel L. Brown, Ortonville, MI (US);
Donald R. Hughes, Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Charles Bienenstein, Chesterfield, MI (US);
James C. Savage, Lake Orion, MI (US);
Mark C. Azzaretti, Shelby Township, MI (US);
Donald F. Schmanski, Howell, MI (US);
Brian E. Beechie, Armada, MI (US);
Daniel L. Brown, Ortonville, MI (US);
Donald R. Hughes, Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Charles Bienenstein, Chesterfield, MI (US);
James C. Savage, Lake Orion, MI (US);
Mark C. Azzaretti, Shelby Township, MI (US);
Donald F. Schmanski, Howell, MI (US);
Chrysler Group LLC, Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Abstract
Methods and systems are described to automatically lock and unlock a front axle disconnect mechanism in an all-wheel drive (AWD) system responsive to driving conditions to reduce parasitic losses and increase fuel efficiency. A control algorithm is described which automatically determines whether the front axle disconnect mechanism should lock or unlock responsive to various sensor readings throughout the vehicle. The sensor readings relate to the driving conditions. Advantageously, the present disclosure automatically decides the best mode for optimum fuel economy while safely responding to driving conditions, and therefore removes the requirement for a driver to select the operating mode.