Transfer case for four wheel drive vehicles
First Claim
1. A transfer case for delivering drive torque to a primary drive line and a secondary drive line comprising, in combination,an input shaft,a primary output coupled to such primary drive line,a secondary output coupled to such secondary drive line,modulating clutch means for selectively transferring torque between said input shaft and said secondary output,a planetary gear assembly having a sun gear coupled to said input shaft and a planet carrier having at least one planet gear engaging said sun gear,primary clutch means for selectively transferring torque from said input shaft or said planet carrier to said primary output, andsecondary clutch means for selectively transferring torque between said planet carrier and said secondary output.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A transfer case for a part-time four wheel drive vehicle includes a planetary gear speed reduction assembly driven by the transfer case input shaft for providing high and low speed range outputs. The planetary gear assembly is disposed between and is selectively engaged by primary and secondary clutch collars, the primary clutch driving the rear (primary) output shaft in either the high or low speed ranges. The secondary clutch drives the front (secondary) output shaft through a chain drive in the low range. The clutch collars are controlled by a single (common) clutch operator. An electromagnetic clutch assembly driven by the input shaft selectively drives the front output shaft chain drive. The electromagnetic clutch functions both as a synchronizer and torque delivery device. The transfer case may be combined with a control which facilitates direct selection of vehicle drive mode.
36 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A transfer case for delivering drive torque to a primary drive line and a secondary drive line comprising, in combination,
an input shaft, a primary output coupled to such primary drive line, a secondary output coupled to such secondary drive line, modulating clutch means for selectively transferring torque between said input shaft and said secondary output, a planetary gear assembly having a sun gear coupled to said input shaft and a planet carrier having at least one planet gear engaging said sun gear, primary clutch means for selectively transferring torque from said input shaft or said planet carrier to said primary output, and secondary clutch means for selectively transferring torque between said planet carrier and said secondary output.
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13. A transfer case for delivering drive torque to a primary drive line and a secondary drive line comprising, in combination,
an input shaft, a primary output adapted to drive such primary drive line, a secondary output adapted to drive such secondary drive line, disc pack clutch means for selectively transferring torque between said input shaft and said secondary output, a planetary gear assembly having a sun gear coupled to said input shaft, a stationary ring gear and a planet carrier having at least one planet gear engaging said sun gear and said carrier, primary clutch means for selectively transferring torque from said input shaft or said planet carrier to said primary output, and secondary clutch means for selectively transferring torque between said planet carrier and said secondary output.
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19. A power transfer assembly for delivering torque to a primary drive line and a secondary drive line comprising, in combination,
an input member, a primary output member for delivering torque to such primary drive line, a secondary output member for delivering torque to such secondary drive line, modulating clutch means having an input coupled to said input member and an output driving said secondary output member, a planetary gear assembly having an input coupled to said input member, an output, and speed reducing gearing operably disposed between said input and said output, primary clutch means having an output driving said primary output member and selectively engageable with said input member or said output of said planetary gear assembly, and secondary clutch means having an output driving said secondary output member for selectively engaging said planetary gear output with said secondary output member.
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26. A vehicle drive assembly for delivering torque to a primary drive line and secondary drive line comprising, in combination,
a transfer case having an input member, a primary output member for delivering torque to such primary drive line, a secondary output member for delivering torque to such secondary drive line, a planetary gear assembly having an input coupled to said input member, an output, and speed reducing gearing operably disposed between said input and said output, primary clutch means having an output driving said primary output member and selectively engageable with said input member or said output of said planetary gear assembly, secondary clutch means having an output driving said secondary output member and selectively engageable with said input member or said output member of said planetary gear assembly, means for actuating said primary and secondary clutch means, control means operably connected to said means for actuating for directly selecting one of three drive modes, said three drive modes including two wheel drive; - four wheel drive, high gear and four wheel drive, low gear.
- View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
Specification