US 12,448,041 B2
Tank steer system for vehicle
Chad J Vermeulen, Windsor (CA); Pradeep R Attibele, Ann Arbor, MI (US); and Mark A Levine, White Lake, MI (US)
Assigned to FCA US LLC, Auburn Hills, MI (US)
Filed by FCA US LLC, Auburn Hills, MI (US)
Filed on Oct. 31, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/498,503.
Prior Publication US 2025/0136179 A1, May 1, 2025
Int. Cl. B62D 11/12 (2006.01); B60K 17/16 (2006.01); F16H 37/08 (2006.01); F16H 48/08 (2006.01); F16H 48/24 (2006.01)
CPC B62D 11/12 (2013.01) [B60K 17/165 (2013.01); F16H 37/082 (2013.01); F16H 48/08 (2013.01); F16H 48/24 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A drivetrain assembly for a vehicle having a propulsion system configured to drive first and second half shafts, the drivetrain assembly comprising:
a gearbox assembly configured to couple to the propulsion system;
a planetary gear set selectively coupled to an output of the gearbox assembly; and
a differential having a differential case, the differential configured to operably couple to the first and second half shafts;
wherein the drivetrain assembly is selectively operable in a tank steer mode that rotates one or more wheels on a first side of the vehicle in a first direction, and rotates one or more wheels on an opposite second side of the vehicle in a second direction opposite the first direction to thereby rotate the vehicle, and
wherein the drivetrain assembly operates in the tank steer mode by selectively grounding the differential case and connecting the output of the gearbox assembly to the first half shaft via the planetary gear set, such that the propulsion system rotates the first half shaft in the first direction and, via the differential, rotates the second half shaft in the opposite second direction.