HIERARCHICAL CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A TANDEM AXLE DRIVE SYSTEM

摘要

A hierarchical control system and method for a tandem axle assembly (102) for a vehicle is provided. The hierarchical control system includes a controller at vehicle level, an actuator (104), a shift controller (124), and a sensor. The shift controller (124) is capable of placing the tandem axle assembly (102) in at least a first operating condition and a second operating condition using the actuator (104). In response to the sensor and an operating condition of at least one of a power source (108) and a transmission of a driveline (100) of the vehicle, the shift controller adjusts a manner of placing the tandem axle assembly (102) in at least one of the first operating condition and the second operating condition. The hierarchical control system facilitates performing a shifting procedure in an automatic manner or as desired by an operator of the vehicle without excessively increasing a cost and a complexity of the tandem axle assembly.