(19) TZZ Z__T

(11) EP 2 069 156 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Date of publication and mention (51) Int Cl.: of the grant of the patent: B60G 21/05 (2006.01) 19.11.2014 Bulletin 2014/47 (86) International application number: (21) Application number: 07811469.1 PCT/US2007/018547

(22) Date of filing: 22.08.2007 (87) International publication number: WO 2008/033204 (20.03.2008 Gazette 2008/12)

(54) LIVE TWIST BEAM ASSEMBLY ANTRIEBSKOPPELLENKERACHSANORDNUNG ENSEMBLE ESSIEU DIRECT A POUTRE TORSADEE

(84) Designated Contracting States: (74) Representative: Schaumburg, Thoenes, Thurn, AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR Landskron, Eckert HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL PL PT RO SE Patentanwälte SI SK TR Postfach 86 07 48 81634 München (DE) (30) Priority: 11.09.2006 US 519167 (56) References cited: (43) Date of publication of application: DE-A1- 2 447 831 DE-A1- 3 218 831 17.06.2009 Bulletin 2009/25 FR-A1- 2 582 587 JP-A- H11 170 835 US-A- 5 046 579 US-A- 5 520 407 (73) Proprietor: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. US-A1- 2004 262 070 US-B1- 6 533 300 Detroit, MI 48211-1198 (US) US-B1- 6 702 057 US-B2- 6 523 841

(72) Inventor: WORMAN, William E., JR. Washington Township Michigan 48094 (US)

Note: Within nine months of the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent in the European Patent Bulletin, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to that patent, in accordance with the Implementing Regulations. Notice of opposition shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention). EP 2 069 156 B1

Printed by Jouve, 75001 PARIS (FR) 1 EP 2 069 156 B1 2

Description Figure 1 is a schematic illustrating the drive train of a motor vehicle equipped with a live twist beam axle BACKGROUND assembly of the present disclosure; Figure 2 is schematic showing a top view of a motor [0001] The present disclosure generally relates to rear 5 vehicle with a live twist beam axle assembly of the drivelines and suspensions for use in motor vehi- present disclosure; cles. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional top view of a live a twist beam rear axle and suspension assembly oper- twist beam axle assembly of the present disclosure; able to transmit torque to the rear of a vehicle. Figure 3A is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of [0002] Presently, a relatively high consumer demand 10 the live twist beam axle assembly; for all-wheel drive vehicles exists. Manufacturers desire Figure 4A is an exemplary spiral bevel gear drive to quickly and cost effectively respond to this demand. incorporated with a live twist beam axle assembly of To meet this goal, vehicle manufacturers have attempted the present disclosure; to convert production front wheel drive vehicles into all- Figure 4B is an exemplary helical gear drive incor- wheel drive vehicles. Driveline component packaging is 15 porated with a live twist beam axle assembly of the a major challenge. Specifically, a mechanical connection present disclosure; and between the vehicle’s existing front wheel drive power- Figure 4C is an exemplary belt or incor- train and its rear wheels is often times blocked by existing porated with a live twist beam axle assembly of the underbody components. Furthermore, the location of the present disclosure. spare and the well limits available driveline 20 space. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EM- [0003] Because the increase in demand for all-wheel BODIMENT drive vehicles has been great, various design strategies have been implemented to effectuate this conversion. [0006] The present disclosure is directed to a live twist Typical solutions include implementing alternate suspen- 25 beam axle assembly for use in a part or full-time all- sion systems to accommodate conventional rear drive- wheel-drive motor vehicle equipped with a transversely line components. Other attempts include creating more mounted engine and . complex powertrain components or reconfiguring and re- [0007] With particular reference to Figure 1, a sche- tooling the floorpan and . While such strategies matic of a motor vehicle 10 is shown to include a trans- may work in a satisfactory manner, a need for a less30 versely mounted engine 12 and a transmission 14 adapt- complex and costly solution exists. Document JP H11 ed to deliver motive power (i.e., drive torque) to a front 170835 A discloses a drive axle and suspension assem- differential 15 and the input of a power take-off unit 16. bly having a rear axle housing, a twist element fixed to Power take-off unit 16 is shown as a full time all-wheel the axle housing, a first output shaft adapted to receive drive system and is operable to transfer drive torque to a drive torque from the engine and a second output shaft 35 a front driveline 18 and a rear driveline 20. However, adapted to receive drive torque from the engine. power take-off unit 16 may be adapted for use in a part- time four-wheel drive system. Front driveline 18 includes SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION a first output or left half-shaft 22 and a second output or right half-shaft 24 coupled to front differential 15. Half- [0004] The present disclosure provides a drive axle 40 shafts 22 & 24 are connected to a first or front pair of and suspension assembly for a vehicle having a power ground-engaging wheels 26. Components of front drive- source and wheels including a torsionally compliant twist line 18 are located to provide clearance for a front sus- beam suspension and a driveline assembly. The twist pension cross member 30. beam suspension includes a twist element defining a first [0008] Rear driveline 20 includes a forward propshaft lateral axis and arm portions adapted to rotatably support 45 40, a center support 42, a rearward propshaft 44 and a the wheels of the vehicle along a second axis extending live twist beam axle assembly 46. Axle assembly 46 in- substantially parallel to the first axis. The driveline as- cludes a rear drive module (RDM) 48 and a twist beam sembly is adapted to receive torque from the power suspension 49. One end of forward propshaft 40 is driv- source and drive the wheels. The driveline assembly in- ingly coupled to power take-off unit 16. The opposite end cludes a plurality of power transmission rotatably sup- 50 of forward propshaft 40 is drivingly coupled to one end ported by arm portions. of rearward propshaft 44 which is supported by vehicle structure via center support 42. The opposite end of rear- BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS ward propshaft 44 is drivingly coupled to a differential 50 of RDM 48. RDM 48 includes a plurality of shafts de- [0005] The disclosure will now be described, by way 55 scribed in detail herein that drivingly connect differential of example, with reference to the accompanying draw- 50 to a secondor rear pair of ground-engaging wheels 58. ings in which: [0009] In the exemplary vehicle described, a tunnel section 64 of floorpan 66 is formed to at least partially

2 3 EP 2 069 156 B1 4 receive forward and rearward propshafts 40, 44 along housing 174 and the chassis of motor vehicle 10. with a substantial portion of an exhaust system 68. Fur- 102 and 104 are also coupled to arm 96 thermore, a muffler 70 of exhaust system 68, a spare tire at one end and the vehicle chassis at their opposite ends. tub 72 and a fuel tank 74 are affixed to vehicle 10. Other [0015] Wheel interface assembly 98 includes a hollow vehicle component packaging may exist without preclud- 5 support member 220 rotatably supporting an output shaft ing use of the live twist beam axle assembly. 222. An output gear 224 is fixed for rotation with or inte- [0010] With particular reference to Figures 2 through grally formed on one end of output shaft 222. A wheel 4 of the drawings, twist beam suspension 49 of axle as- hub 226 is fixed for rotation with or integrally formed on sembly 46 is shown to include a first or right portion 90 the opposite end of output shaft 222. Output shaft 222 is and a substantially similar second or left portion 92. Like 10 rotatably supported in housing 174 by a bearing 228 and elements are identified with similar reference numerals in support member 220 by bearings 230, 232 for rotation including a "prime" suffix. Due to the similarity of the first about an axis X2. Support member 220 includes a body and second portions 90, 92, only portion 90 will be de- portion 234 and a flange portion 236. Flange portion 236 scribed in detail. includes a face 238 abutting a face 240 of second shoul- [0011] Portion 90 includes a twist element 94, an arm 15 der portion 182 of housing 174. Support member 220 is 96, a wheel interface assembly 98, a spring 102 and a fixed to housing 174 via fasteners (not shown). When shock absorber 104. Twist element 94 includes a torsion- functioning as a suspension in receipt of road load input, ally compliant "L"-shaped element 128, a first flange 130 live twist beam axle assembly 46 rotates about an axis and a second flange 132. As shown in Figure 3A, element X3 that is offset from axes X 1 and X2. 128 includes a first substantially planar leg 133 intersect- 20 [0016] As shown in Figure 3, RDM 48 includes an out- ing a second substantially planar leg 135 at approximate- put shaft 242 drivingly connected to an intermediate shaft ly 90 degrees. First leg 133 and second leg 135 extend 244 which, in turn, is drivingly connected to output shaft between first flange 130 and second flange 132. Element 222. Output shaft 242 includes a body 246, a first gear 128 includes a plurality of oval shaped apertures 134 248 and a second gear 250. First and second gears 248, extending therethrough. Apertures 134 are evenly dis- 25 250 may be drivingly connected to or integrally formed tributed and axially spaced apart from one another. Ap- on body 246. First gear 248 functions as a side gear of ertures 134 are sized and positioned to provide mass differential 50. Second gear 250 is drivingly engaged with reduction. a third gear 252 drivingly connected to one end of inter- [0012] First flange 130 is shaped as a substantially flat mediate shaft 244. Output shaft 242 extends through ap- plate radially outwardly extending beyond and welded to 30 erture 140, adjacent to element 128, and through aper- element 128. First flange 130 includes an outer surface ture 154 of twist element 94. Output shaft 242 is rotatably 136, an inner surface 138 and an aperture 140. Outer supported in housing 174 of arm 96 by a bearing 254. surface136 engages acase or axle housing142 rotatably Output shaft 242 is at least partially positioned within a supporting differential 50. Second flange 132 is substan- pocket 255 defined by first leg 133 and second leg 135 tially similar to first flange 130 and is plateshaped having 35 of element 128. As such, output shaft 242 is partially en- an outer surface 150, an inner surface 152 and an aper- compassed by element 128. ture 154. First and second flanges 130, 132 are fixed to [0017] Intermediate shaft 244 includes third gear 252, element 128. Flanges 130 and 132 are parallel to each a body 256 and a fourth gear 258. Third and fourth gears other and perpendicular to an axis X 1 laterally extending 252, 258 may be fixed for rotation with or integrally formed through element 128. First flange 130 is mounted to case 40 on body 256. Fourth gear 258 is drivingly engaged with 142 by fasteners 156. Second flange 132 is fixed to arm output gear 224 of wheel interface assembly 98. Inter- 96 by fasteners 158. mediate shaft 244 is rotatably supported in housing 174 [0013] Arm 96 includes a substantially hollow housing by bearings 260 and 262. While bevel gears are depicted 174 having a first shoulder portion 178, a main portion in Figure 3, it should be noted that the torque transmitting 180, and a second shoulder portion 182. First shoulder 45 elements of arm 96 may also include, but are not limited portion 178 includes a flange 184 substantially similar to to, bevel gears 264 as shown in Figure 4A, helical gears second flange 132 of twist element 94. An outer face 186 266 depicted in Figure 4B or belt or chain drives 268 of flange184 is fixed to outersurface 150 of second flange shown in Figure 4C. 132. An aperture 188 extends through first shoulder por- [0018] Manufacturing and packaging the components tion 178 and is aligned with aperture 154. First shoulder 50 of axle assembly 46 as stated eliminates the need to portion 178 further includes a first access panel 190 re- replace a twist beam suspension with an alternative sus- movably fixed to housing 174 enclosing an aperture 191. pension design to allow for packaging space for typical Second shoulder portion 182 also includes a second ac- driveline components. Furthermore, the need for inte- cess panel 192 removably fixed to housing 174 enclosing grating more complex and costly drive components is an aperture 194. 55 also eliminated. Axle assembly 46 contains a portion of [0014] A boss 196 is formed on arm 96 in communica- thedesired mechanical connection between thevehicle’s tion with a body mount bushing 200. Body mount bushing existing powertrain and rear wheel hubs 226, 226’ by 200 is located between and coupled to both boss 196 of making use of existing packaging space within the twist

3 5 EP 2 069 156 B1 6 beam suspension design. This strategy effectively over- 4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein another gear of the comes the costly packaging and re-tooling barriers men- differential gear assembly (50) is fixed for rotation tioned earlier requiring far less change to the basic ve- with the second output shaft (242). hicle design. [0019] RDM 48 of axle assembly 46 functions as a 5 5. The assembly of claim 4 further including first and torque transfer mechanism between rearward propshaft secondsprings (102, 102’) as well as first and second 44 and wheels 58. In addition, twist beam suspension 49 shock absorbers (104, 104’) coupled to the drive axle of axle assembly 46 functions to isolate and otherwise and suspension assembly (46). account for road load input forces applied to wheels 58 during vehicle operation. These forces are transmitted 10 6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the first and second from support members 220, 220’ through arms 174, 174’ twist elements (94, 94’) each include a plurality of to body mount bushings 200, 200’. Individual wheel in- apertures (134, 134’) extending therethrough. puts differing from side to side apply both torsion and moment loads on twist elements 94, 94’. Twist elements 7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the first twist ele- 94, 94’ are designed to torsionally deflect or "wrap-up" 15 ment (94) includes an "L"-shaped cross-section. acting as springs. Shock absorbers 104 and springs 102 function to further isolate motor vehicle 10 from the input 8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the first output shaft forces. (242) is at least partially positioned within a pocket (255) defined by the first twist element (94). 20 Claims 9. The assembly of claim 1 further including first and second output shafts (222), each output shaft (222) 1. A drive axle and suspension assembly (46) for an drivingly coupled to respective first and second all-wheel-drive vehicle (10) having an engine (12), transfer shafts (244), each output shaft (244) being front wheels (26) and rear wheels (58), the axle and 25 fixed for rotation with a wheel hub (226, 226’). suspension assembly (46) comprising: 10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein each of the first a rear axle housing (142); and second shafts (242), the first and second trans- a first twist element (94) fixed to the axle housing fer shafts (244) and the first and second output shafts (142); 30 (222) have gears (224, 240, 250, 252, 258) fixed for a first output shaft (242) adapted to receive drive rotation therewith. torque from the engine (12); a second output shaft (242) adapted to receive 11. The assembly of claim 9 wherein the first input shaft drive torque from the engine (12),character- (242) is fixed for rotation with a first gear (250) in ized in that 35 meshing engagement with a second gear (252) fixed a second twist element (94’) fixed to the axle for rotation with the first transfer shaft (244), the as- housing (142) is provided; sembly further including a third gear (250) fixed for the first output shaft (242) is rotatably positioned rotation with the first transfer shaft (244) and in adjacent the first twist element (94); meshed engagement with a fourth gear (224) fixed the second output shaft is rotatably positioned 40 for rotation with the first output shaft (222). adjacent the second twist element (94’); and first and second transfer shafts (244) are provided 12. The assembly of claim 1 comprising: each drivingly coupled to the respective first and second output shafts (242), each transfer shaft the torsionally compliant twist elements (94, 94’) (244) being adapted to transfer torque to one of 45 defining a first lateral axis (X1); arm portions (96, the rear wheels (58), wherein the first and sec- 96’) fixed to the twist elements (94, 94’) and ond twist elements (94, 94’) form part of the ve- adapted to rotatably support two of the wheels hicle suspension (49), each twist element (94, (58) of the vehicle (10) along a second axis (X2) 94’) being operable to store and release energy extending substantially parallel to the first axis as a . 50 (X1); and a driveline assembly (20) adapted to receive 2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the rear axle hous- torque from the engine (12) and drive the wheels ing (142) rotatably supports a differential gear as- (58), the driveline assembly (20) including a plu- sembly (50). rality of power transmission components (222, 55 242, 244) rotatably supported by the arm por- 3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein a gear (248) of the tions (96, 96’). differential gear assembly (50) is fixed for rotation with the first output shaft (242). 13. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the assembly is

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pivotable relative to the vehicle chassis (66) about a 4. Anordnung nach Anspruch 3, wobei ein anderes third axis (X3) offset from the first and second axes Zahnrad der Differentialgetriebe-Anordnung (50) (X1, X2). zum Drehen mit der zweiten Ausgangswelle (242) befestigt ist. 14. The assembly of claim 13 wherein the driveline (20) 5 includes a differential gear assembly (50). 5. Anordnung nach Anspruch 4, die ferner erste und zweite Federn (102, 102’) sowie erste und zweite 15. The assembly of claim 14 wherein the differential Stoßdämpfer (104, 104’) aufweist, die an die An- gear assembly (50) includes a side gear (248) fixed triebsachs- und Aufhängungsanordnung (46) ge- for rotation with one of the power transmission com- 10 koppelt sind. ponents (242). 6. Anordnung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die ersten und zweiten Verdrehelemente (94, 94’) jeweils eine Viel- Patentansprüche zahl von Durchgangsöffnungen (134, 134’) aufwei- 15 sen. 1. Antriebsachs- und Aufhängungsanordnung (46) für ein Allradfahrzeug (10) mit einem Motor (12), Vor- 7. Anordnung nach Anspruch 1, wobei das erste Ver- derrädern (26) und Hinterrädern (58), wobei die drehelement (94) einen "L"-förmigen Querschnitt Achs- und Aufhängungsanordnung (46) umfasst: aufweist. 20 ein Hinterachsgehäuse (142); 8. Anordnung nach Anspruch 7, wobei die erste Aus- ein erstes Verdrehelement (94), das an dem gangswelle (242) zumindest teilweise innerhalb ei- Achsgehäuse (142) befestigt ist; ner Aussparung (255) angeordnet ist, die von dem eine erste Ausgangswelle (242), die angepasst ersten Verdrehelement (94) definiert wird. ist, Antriebsdrehmoment von dem Motor (12) 25 aufzunehmen; 9. Anordnung nach Anspruch 1, die ferner erste und eine zweite Ausgangswelle (242), die ange- zweite Ausgangswellen (222) aufweist, wobei jede passt ist, Antriebsdrehmoment von dem Motor Ausgangswelle (222) antriebsmäßig an die jeweilige (12) aufzunehmen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, erste und zweite Übertragungswelle (244) gekoppelt dass ein zweites Verdrehelement (94’), das an 30 ist, wobei jede Ausgangswelle (244) zum Drehen mit dem Achsgehäuse (142) befestigt ist, vorgese- einer Radnabe (226, 226’) befestigt ist. hen ist; die erste Ausgangswelle (242) drehbar angren- 10. Anordnung nach Anspruch 9, wobei die erste und zend an das erste Verdrehelement (94) ange- die zweite Welle (242), die erste und die zweite Über- ordnet ist; 35 tragungswelle (244) und die erste und die zweite die zweite Ausgangswelle drehbar angrenzend Ausgangswelle (222) jeweils Zahnräder (224, 240, an das zweite Verdrehelement (94’) angeordnet 250, 252, 258) haben, die drehfest an der jeweiligen ist; und erste und zweite Übertragungswellen Welle befestigt sind. (244) vorgesehen sind, die jeweils antriebsmä- ßig an die jeweilige erste und zweite Ausgangs- 40 11. Anordnung nach Anspruch 9, wobei die erste Ein- welle (242) gekoppelt sind, wobei jede Übertra- gangswelle (242) zum Drehen mit einem ersten gungswelle (244) angepasst ist, Drehmoment Zahnrad (250) befestigt ist, das in Eingriff mit einem an eines der Hinterräder (58) zu übertragen, wo- zweiten Zahnrad (252) ist, das zum Drehen mit der bei die ersten und zweiten Verdrehelemente ersten Übertragungswelle (244) befestigt ist, wobei (94, 94’) einen Teil der Fahrzeugaufhängung 45 die Anordnung ferner ein drittes Zahnrad (250) auf- (49) bilden, wobei jedes Verdrehelement (94, weist, das zum Drehen mit der ersten Übertragungs- 94’) betätigbar ist, um als Torsionsfeder Energie welle (244) befestigt ist und in Eingriff mit einem vier- zu speichern und freizusetzen. ten Zahnrad (224) ist, das zum Drehen mit der ersten Ausgangswelle (222) befestigt ist. 2. Anordnung nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Hinterachs- 50 gehäuse (142) drehbar eine Differentialgetriebe-An- 12. Anordnung nach Anspruch 1, umfassend: ordnung (50) hält. die torsionskonformen Verdrehelemente (94, 3. Anordnung nach Anspruch 2, wobei ein Zahnrad 94’), die eine erste Querachse (X1) definieren; (248) der Differentialgetriebe-Anordnung (50) zum 55 Armabschnitte (96, 96’), die an den Verdrehe- Drehenmit derersten Ausgangswelle(242) befestigt lementen (94, 94’) befestigt und angepasst sind, ist. zwei der Räder (58) des Fahrzeugs (10) entlang einer sich im Wesentlichen parallel zu der ersten

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Achse (X1) erstreckenden zweiten Achse (X2) de torsion (94, 94’) pouvant fonctionner pour drehbar zu halten; und emmagasiner et libérer l’énergie comme un res- eine Kraftübertragungsanordnung (20), die an- sort de torsion. gepasst ist, Drehmoment von dem Motor (12) aufzunehmen und die Räder (58) anzutreiben, 5 2. Ensemble selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le wobei die Kraftübertragungsanordnung (20) ei- carter d’essieu (142) arrière supporte, en rotation, ne Vielzahl von Kraftübertragungselementen un ensemble d’engrenage différentiel (50). (222, 242, 244) aufweist, die drehbar von den Armabschnitten (96, 96’) gehalten werden. 3. Ensemble selon la revendication 2, dans lequel un 10 engrenage (248) de l’ensemble d’engrenage diffé- 13. Anordnung nach Anspruch 12, wobei die Anordnung rentiel (50) est fixé, pour tourner, sur le premier arbre relativ zu dem Fahrzeuggestell (66) um eine dritte de sortie (242). Achse (X3), die zu den ersten und zweiten Achsen (X1, X2) versetzt ist, schwenkbar ist. 4. Ensemble selon la revendication 3, dans lequel un 15 autre engrenage de l’ensemble d’engrenage diffé- 14. Anordnung nach Anspruch 13, wobei die Kraftüber- rentiel (50) est fixé, pour tourner, sur le deuxième tragungsanordnung (20) eine Differentialgetriebe- arbre de sortie (242). Anordnung (50) aufweist. 5. Ensemble selon la revendication 4, comprenant en 15. Anordnung nach Anspruch 14, wobei die Differenti- 20 outre des premier et deuxième ressorts (102, 102’), algetriebe-Anordnung (50) ein Kegelrad (248) auf- ainsi que des premier et deuxième amortisseurs weist, das zum Drehen mit einer der Kraftübertra- (104, 104’) couplés à l’ensemble d’essieu moteur et gungselemente (242) befestigt ist. de suspension (46).

25 6. Ensemble selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les Revendications premier et deuxième éléments de torsion (94, 94’) comprennent, chacun, une pluralité d’ouvertures 1. Ensemble d’essieu moteur et de suspension (46) (134, 134’) qui s’étendent à travers ceux-ci. pour un véhicule à traction intégrale (10) possédant un moteur (12), des roues avant (26) et des roues 30 7. Ensemble selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le arrière (58), l’ensemble d’essieu moteur et de sus- premier élément de torsion (94) comprend une sec- pension (46) comprenant : tion transversale en forme de « L ».

un carter d’essieu arrière (142) ; 8. Ensemble selon la revendication 7, dans lequel le un premier élément de torsion (94) fixé sur le 35 premier arbre de sortie (242) est au moins en partie carter d’essieu (142) ; placé à l’intérieur d’une poche (255) définie par le un premier arbre de sortie (242) conçu pour re- premier élément de torsion (94). cevoir le couple d’entraînement provenant du moteur (12) ; 9. Ensemble selon la revendication 1, comportant en un deuxième arbre de sortie (242) conçu pour 40 outre des premier et deuxième arbres de sortie recevoir le couple d’entraînement provenant du (222), chaque arbre de sortie (222) étant couplé en moteur (12), caractérisé en ce que entraînement aux premier et deuxième arbres de un deuxième élément de torsion (94’) fixé sur le transmission (244) respectivement, chaque arbre de carter d’essieu (142) est fourni ; sortie (244) étant fixé, pour tourner, sur un moyeu le premier arbre de sortie (242) est placé, pour 45 de roue (226, 226’). tourner, adjacent au premier élément de torsion (94) ; 10. Ensemble selon la revendication 9, dans lequel cha- le deuxième arbre de sortie est placé, pour tour- cun des premier et deuxième arbres de sortie (242), ner, adjacent au deuxième élément de torsion des premier et deuxième arbres de transmission (94’) ; et des premier et deuxième arbres de50 (244) et des premier et deuxième arbres de sortie transmission (244) sont fournis et chacun est (222) possèdent des engrenages (224, 240, 250, couplé, en entraînement, aux premier et deuxiè- 252, 258) fixés sur ceux-ci, pour tourner. me arbres de sortie (242) respectivement, cha- que arbre de transmission (244) étant conçu 11. Ensemble selon la revendication 9, dans lequel le pour transmettre le couple à l’une des roues ar- 55 premier arbre de sortie (242) est fixé, pour tourner, rière (58), dans lequel les premier et deuxième sur un premier engrenage (250) engrené grâce à éléments de torsion (94, 94’) font partie de la des roues dentées sur un deuxième engrenage suspension du véhicule (49), chaque élément (252) fixé, pour tourner, sur le premier arbre de trans-

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mission (244), l’ensemble comprenant en outre un troisième engrenage (250) fixé pour tourner sur le premier arbre de transmission (244) et engrené grâ- ce à des roues dentées sur un quatrième engrenage (224) fixé, pour tourner, sur le premier arbre de sortie 5 (222).

12. Ensemble selon la revendication 1, comprenant :

les éléments de torsion (94, 94’) compatibles en 10 torsion définissant un premier axe latéral (X1) ; des parties de bras (96, 96’) fixés sur les élé- ments de torsion (94, 94’) et conçus pour sup- porter, en rotation, deux des roues (58) du vé- hicule (10) le long d’un deuxième axe (X2) qui 15 s’étend sensiblement parallèlement au premier axe (X1) ; et un ensemble d’organes de transmission (20) conçu pour recevoir le couple provenant du mo- teur (12) et entrainer les roues (58), l’ensemble 20 d’organes de transmission (20) comportant une pluralité de composants de transmission de puissance (222, 242, 244) supportés pour tour- ner par les parties de bras (96, 96’). 25 13. Ensemble selon la revendication 12, dans lequel l’ensemble peut pivoter par rapport au châssis du véhicule (66) autour d’un troisième axe (X3) décalé par rapport aux premier et deuxième axes (X1, X2). 30 14. Ensemble selon la revendication 13, dans lequel l’ensemble d’organes de transmission comprend un ensemble d’engrenage différentiel (50).

15. Ensemble selon la revendication 14, dans lequel 35 l’ensemble d’engrenage différentiel (50) comprend un engrenage latéral (248) fixé pour tourner sur l’un des composants de la transmission de puissance (242). 40

45

50

55

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REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader’s convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

Patent documents cited in the description

• JP H11170835 A [0003]

12