Auxiliary drive device

Abstract

The invention provides an auxiliary drive device, and the auxiliary drive device (2) includes: a drive unit (20) that has an electric motor (3); a meshing clutch (5) that has a first meshing member (51) and a second meshing member (52); an actuator (6) that moves the second meshing member (52); and a control unit (10) that controls the electric motor (3) and the actuator (6). The actuator (6) moves the second meshing member (52) among a separation position, at which the second meshing member (52) is not meshed with the first meshing member (51), an abutment position, at which first meshing teeth and second meshing teeth possibly abut against each other, and a meshing position, at which the first meshing teeth and the second meshing teeth are meshed with each other. The control unit makes acurrent supplied to the electric motor when the second meshing member (52) is located between the abutment position and the meshing position smaller than a current required to maintain the rotationalspeed of the electric motor (3).

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to auxiliary drives for vehicles. Background technique [0002] Conventional four-wheel drive vehicles have a configuration in which main drive wheels are driven by driving force of an engine shifted by a transmission, and auxiliary drive wheels are driven by an auxiliary drive device having an electric motor. For example, refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-80962. [0003] In such a four-wheel drive vehicle, a clutch is provided on the drive force transmission path of the electric motor in the auxiliary drive device. When a large drive force is required in the low-to-middle speed range of the vehicle speed, the clutch is in a connected state so that the main drive wheels and the auxiliary drive wheels are equal to each other. Driven 4WD state. On the other hand, in the high-speed range, or when a large drive force is not required even though it is in the middle-low speed range, the motor stops and th...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, in the structure described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-80962, it takes time until the electromagnetic clutch is connected and the ball cam mechanism is operated, and the multi-plate clutch is pressed by the thrust of the cam to generate friction between the clutch plates. The operation delay time from the switching of the wheel drive state until the auxiliary drive wheel is driven becomes longer

[0006] Therefore, the present inventors have considered the situation that the meshing clutch that transmits the driving force through the meshing of the meshing teeth is provided on the driving force transmission path of the motor, but when the meshing teeth are meshed, a large vibration or sound will be generated, which may be disturbing to the driver. discomfort to passengers or fellow passengers

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