Power transmission device having torque transfer mechanism with power-operated clutch actuator
First Claim
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1. A power transmission device comprising:
- a first rotary member;
a second rotary member;
a transfer clutch operably disposed between said first and second rotary members;
a clutch actuator for controlling engagement of said transfer clutch, said clutch actuator including an electric motor driving a first gearset, a second gearset driven by said first gearset, a rotary drive member with gear teeth driven by said second gearset and having followers engaging a cam surface on a non-rotary cam member; and
a control system for actuating said electric motor to control the direction and amount of rotary movement of said drive member which controls the directions and amount of translational movement of said cam member relative to said transfer clutch.
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Abstract
A torque transfer mechanism is provided for controlling the magnitude of a clutch engagement force exerted on a multi-plate clutch assembly that is operably disposed between a first rotary and a second rotary member. The torque transfer mechanism includes a clutch actuator for generating and applying a clutch engagement force on the clutch assembly.
26 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A power transmission device comprising:
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a first rotary member;
a second rotary member;
a transfer clutch operably disposed between said first and second rotary members;
a clutch actuator for controlling engagement of said transfer clutch, said clutch actuator including an electric motor driving a first gearset, a second gearset driven by said first gearset, a rotary drive member with gear teeth driven by said second gearset and having followers engaging a cam surface on a non-rotary cam member; and
a control system for actuating said electric motor to control the direction and amount of rotary movement of said drive member which controls the directions and amount of translational movement of said cam member relative to said transfer clutch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A torque transfer mechanism for transferring drive torque from a first rotary member to a second rotary member, comprising:
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a friction clutch operably disposed between the first and second rotary members;
a pressure plate moveable between a first position whereat a minimum clutch engagement force is exerted on said friction clutch and a second position whereat a maximum clutch engagement force is exerted on said friction clutch;
a clutch actuator for moving said pressure plate between its first and second positions, said clutch actuator including an electric motor, a rotary drive member having rollers and a gear segment driven by said electric motor, and a non-rotary cam member having a cam surface engaging said rollers and which is operable for causing said pressure plate to move between its first and second positions; and
a control system for actuating said electric motor so as to control rotary movement of said drive member between a first rotary position and a second rotary position, said cam member being located in a first position when said drive member is in its first position so as to cause said pressure plate to be located in its first position, and said cam member is located in a second position when said drive member is rotated to its second position so as to cause said pressure plate to move to its second position. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A power transfer unit for use in a four-wheel drive vehicle having a powertrain and first and second drivelines, comprising:
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a first rotary member driven by the powertrain and adapted for connection to the first driveline;
a second rotary member adapted for connection to the second driveline;
a friction clutch operably disposed between said first and second rotary members; and
a clutch actuator for generating a clutch engagement force to be applied to said friction clutch, said clutch actuator including a rotary drive member, having rollers and a gear segment, a non-rotary cam member having a cam surface in engagement with said rollers, a thrust member disposed between said cam member and said friction clutch, a gear reduction unit meshed with said gear segment of said drive member, and an electric motor driving said gear reduction unit. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. A power transfer unit for use in a four-wheel drive vehicle having a powertrain and first and second drivelines, comprising:
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a differential having an input driven by the powertrain and first and second outputs driving the first and second drivelines;
a friction clutch operably disposed between any two of said input and said first and second outputs of said differential;
a clutch actuator for generating a clutch engagement force to be applied to said friction clutch, said clutch actuator including a rotary drive member having rollers and a toothed sector, a non-rotary cam member having a cam surface in engagement with said rollers, a gearset meshed with said toothed sector of said drive member, and an electric motor driving said gearset; and
a control system for actuating said electric motor to control bi-directional rotation of said drive member and corresponding bi-directional translational movement of said cam member for controlling the magnitude of said clutch engagement force applied to said friction clutch.
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Specification