US 12,459,569 B2
Tank steer system for vehicle
Pradeep R Attibele, Ann Arbor, MI (US); Sandeep Makam, Rochester Hills, MI (US); Mark A Levine, White Lake, MI (US); Raffaele Fregonese, Monteu Roero (IT); and Robert S Smyczynski, Clarkston, MI (US)
Assigned to FCA US LLC
Filed by FCA US LLC, Auburn Hills, MI (US)
Filed on Jan. 23, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/158,143.
Prior Publication US 2024/0246607 A1, Jul. 25, 2024
Int. Cl. B62D 11/10 (2006.01); B60K 17/02 (2006.01); B60K 17/16 (2006.01); B60K 17/354 (2006.01); F16H 37/08 (2006.01); F16H 48/08 (2006.01); B60K 1/00 (2006.01); B60K 17/356 (2006.01); F16H 48/24 (2006.01); F16H 61/00 (2006.01)
CPC B62D 11/10 (2013.01) [B60K 17/02 (2013.01); B60K 17/165 (2013.01); B60K 17/354 (2013.01); F16H 37/082 (2013.01); F16H 48/08 (2013.01); B60K 2001/001 (2013.01); B60K 17/356 (2013.01); F16H 48/24 (2013.01); F16H 61/0059 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A vehicle configured to perform a tank steer operation, comprising:
a differential having a differential case;
first and second half shafts operably coupled to the differential;
a drive unit configured to drive the vehicle; and
a gearbox assembly coupled to the drive unit;
wherein the vehicle 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,
wherein the vehicle operates in the tank steer mode by selectively grounding the differential case and connecting an output of the gearbox assembly to the first half shaft, such that the drive unit rotates the first half shaft in the first direction and, via the differential, rotates the second half shaft in the opposite second direction.