Full-time double offset transfer case
First Claim
1. A power transfer apparatus for transferring drive torque from a vehicular drivetrain to first and second drivelines, comprising:
- a first input shaft rotatably driven by the drivetrain about a first rotary axis;
a second input shaft supported for rotation about a second rotary axis that is angled relative to said first rotary axis;
a constant velocity universal joint interconnecting said second input shaft for rotation with said first input shaft;
first and second output shafts respectively interconnected to the first and second drivelines, at least one of said first and second output shafts being supported for rotation about a third rotary axis that is offset from said second rotary axis;
an interaxle differential interconnecting said first and second output shafts for permitting speed differentiation therebetween so as to establish a Full-Time four-wheel drive mode; and
a torque transfer mechanism interconnecting said interaxle differential to said second input member for transferring drive torque to said first and second output shafts.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A power transfer system for a four-wheel drive vehicle having a full-time transfer case with its input angled relative to its outputs by means of a constant velocity (CV) universal joint. More specifically, the transfer case input includes a first rotary member adapted to be rotatably driven about the rotary axis of the transmission output shaft, a second rotary member supported for rotation about a second rotary axis that is angled relative to the first rotary axis, and a CV joint interconnecting the first and second rotary members. The transfer case outputs include a pair of rotary output members supported for relative rotation about a common third rotary axis that is offset from the second rotary axis. A torque transfer arrangement is provided for transferring torque from the transfer case input to its outputs. The CV joint allows the transfer case to be angulated so that reduced departure angles are achieved with respect to the prop shaft connections. The full-time transfer case includes a two-speed reduction apparatus, and interaxle differential, a lock-out clutch, and a shift arrangement for permitting the vehicle operator to select operation in various drive modes.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A power transfer apparatus for transferring drive torque from a vehicular drivetrain to first and second drivelines, comprising:
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a first input shaft rotatably driven by the drivetrain about a first rotary axis; a second input shaft supported for rotation about a second rotary axis that is angled relative to said first rotary axis; a constant velocity universal joint interconnecting said second input shaft for rotation with said first input shaft; first and second output shafts respectively interconnected to the first and second drivelines, at least one of said first and second output shafts being supported for rotation about a third rotary axis that is offset from said second rotary axis; an interaxle differential interconnecting said first and second output shafts for permitting speed differentiation therebetween so as to establish a Full-Time four-wheel drive mode; and a torque transfer mechanism interconnecting said interaxle differential to said second input member for transferring drive torque to said first and second output shafts. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A power transfer apparatus for transferring drive torque from a vehicular drivetrain to first and second drivelines, comprising:
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a first input shaft rotatably driven by the drivetrain about a first rotary axis; a second input shaft supported for rotation by the second rotary axis that is angled relative to said first rotary axis; a constant velocity universal joint interconnecting said second input shaft for rotation with said first input shaft; first and second output shafts respectively interconnected to the first and second drivelines, at least one of said first and second output shafts being supported for rotation about a third rotary axis is offset from said second rotary axis; an interaxle differential interconnecting said first and second output shafts, said interaxle differential including an input, a first output selectively coupled for rotation with said first output shaft, a second output coupled for rotation with said second output shaft, and gear means for transferring drive torque from said input to said first and second outputs; a torque transfer mechanism interconnecting said input of said interaxle differential to said second input shaft; and a lock-out clutch that is operable in a first position whereat said first output of said interaxle differential is coupled to said first output shaft for establishing a Full-Time four-wheel drive mode permitting speed differentiation between said first and second output shafts, said lock-out clutch being operable in a second position whereat said input and said first output of said interaxle differential are coupled for common rotation with said first output shaft for establishing a Part-Time four-wheel mode inhibiting speed differentiation between said first and second output shafts, and wherein said lock-out clutch is operable in a third position whereat said first output of said interaxle differential is uncoupled from said first output shaft and said input of said interaxle differential is coupled to said first output shaft for establishing a Two-Wheel drive mode; and a shift mechanism for moving said lock-out clutch between said first, second and third positions. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A power transfer apparatus for transferring drive torque from a vehicular drivetrain to first and second drivelines, comprising:
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a first input shaft adapted to be rotatably driven by the drivetrain about a first rotary axis; a second input shaft supported for rotation about a second rotary axis that is angled relative to said first rotary axis; a constant velocity universal joint interconnecting said second input shaft for rotation with said first input shaft; first and second output shafts adapted to be respectively interconnected to the first and second drivelines, at least one of said first and second output shafts being supported for rotation about a third rotary axis that is offset from said second rotary axis; an interaxle differential interconnecting said first and second output shafts, said interaxle differential including an input, a first output adapted to be selectively coupled for rotation with said first output shaft, a second output fixed for rotation with said second output shaft, and gear means for transferring drive torque from said input to said first and second outputs; a lock-out clutch that is operable in a first position for directly coupling said first output of said interaxle differential to said first output shaft for establishing a Full-Time four-wheel drive mode, and in a second position for coupling said input and first output of said interaxle differential for common rotation with said first output shaft so as to establish a Part-Time four-wheel drive mode; a speed reduction apparatus for establishing a high-range speed ratio connection and a reduced low-range speed ratio connection between said second input shaft and said input of said interaxle differential; a range clutch that is movable between a high-range position whereat said high-range connection is established and a low-range position whereat said low-range connection is established; and a shift mechanism controlling movement of said lock-out clutch and said range clutch for establishing a Full-Time four-wheel high-range drive mode, whereat said lock-out clutch is in said first position and said range clutch is in said high-range position, and a Part-Time four-wheel low-range drive mode whereat said lock-out clutch is in said second position and said range clutch is in said low-range position. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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Specification