Automatic-manual hub lock system

• US 5,908,080 A
• Filed: 12/17/1996
• Issued: 06/01/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Warn Industries Incorporated (LKQ Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Warn Industries Incorporated (LKQ Corporation)
• Inventors: Bigley, Jon A., Began, Ronald E., Paulson, Jeffrey E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hurley, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US08/767,867
• Time in Patent Office: 896 Days
• Field of Search: 180/233, 180/244, 180/245, 180/246, 180/247, 192/69.4, 192/69.41, 192/69.43
• US Class Current: 180/247
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/3515 with a clutch adjacent to traction wheel, e.g. automatic wheel hub
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 11/14 with clutching members movable only axially F16D11/02, F16D11/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2011/008 characterised by the form of the teeth forming the inter-engaging parts; Details of shape or structure of these teeth

Abstract

A hub locking system for a part-time four-wheel drive vehicle including a wheel hub, drive axle, and clutch meaner and an automatic actuator remotely operable by an operator to induce movement of the clutch member axially inwardly and a biasing means acting against the clutch member opposing operation of the automatic actuator to urge movement of the clutch member outwardly. A manual override allows manual operation when the automatic actuator is not actuated and includes a first member mounted for shifting axially inwardly and outwardly in the system and when shifted inwardly urges the clutch member against the force of the biasing means. A second member is mounted contiguous the first member and is manually rotatable. A ramp shaped cam is interposed between the first and second members and when the second member is rotated, it directly urges the first member to shift axially to actuate the clutch member.

Claims

1. A hub locking system for a part-time four-wheel drive vehicle comprising

a wheel hub, a drive axle, and a clutch member, each mounted for rotation about a drive axis, the clutch member being movable axially inwardly and outwardly relative to the wheel hub and drive axle between first and second positions for relative rotative interlocking and unlocking of the wheel hub to the drive axle,

an automatic actuator remotely operable by a vehicle operator to induce movement of the clutch member axially inwardly from the one position to the other position, and biasing means acting against the clutch member and opposing the operation of the automatic actuator to urge movement of the clutch member axially outwardly, said biasing means generating less force than the automatic actuator when actuated whereby operation of the actuator overcomes the opposing force of the biasing means, and

a manual override that allows manual operation when the automatic actuator is not actuated comprising a first member mounted for shifting axially inwardly and outwardly in the system, and when shifted inwardly to urge the clutch member to move axially inwardly against the force of the biasing means, and a second member mounted axially outwardly on the wheel hub contiguous said first member, said second member being manually rotatable about said axis and remaining in a selected axial position relative to the wheel hub upon rotation, with at least one ramp-shaped cam on one of said members interposed between the first and second members whereby upon rotation of the second member in one direction the cam urges the first member to shift axially inwardly and upon rotation in the opposite direction said first member is allowed to shift axially outwardly.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said first member is substantially disk-shaped and has a face surface which engages said second member when shifted axially outwardly.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said second member has a face directed toward said first member and said cam is mounted thereon and projects axially outwardly from remainder portions of said second member.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein a second ramp-shaped cam is mounted on said face of the second member and is spaced circumferentially from said first-mentioned cam.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein said cam has an arcuate configuration when viewed axially of the second member.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein said cam has a bearing surface directed toward said first member which progresses axially inwardly of the system on progressing circumferentially in one direction.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said cam has a stop formed adjacent its axially innermost portion to restrict relative rotation between said first and second members to a pre-selected degree.

8. The system of claim 3, wherein said first member has a cam follower portion operatively engaging said cam.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said first member is coupled to said hub whereby it is restrained against rotation about said axis but is shiftable axially relative to the hub.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said actuator is operated by reduced air pressure and comprises a substantially air-tight chamber, one side of which chamber is closed by a flexible diaphragm coupled to the clutch member, and said biasing means comprises a spring positioned to urge the clutch member and diaphragm axially outwardly.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said first member engages an axially outwardly facing surface of the diaphragm.

12. A combination automatic-manual hub lock system for providing driving connection/disconnection between an axle and a wheel on a vehicle comprising

a hub lock housing,

a clutch member mounted for rotation with and shiftable axially inwardly and outwardly relative to the hub lock housing to provide driving connection and disconnection between the axle and hub lock housing,

an automatic actuator remotely operable by a vehicle operator to induce movement of the clutch member axially inwardly from the one position to the other position, and biasing means acting against the clutch member and opposing the operation of the automatic actuator to urge movement of the clutch member axially outwardly, said biasing means generating less force than the automatic actuator when actuated whereby operation of the actuator overcomes the opposing force of the biasing means,

a manual override that allows manual operation when the automatic actuator is not actuated comprising a first member movable axially in the hub lock housing between inner and outer positions and coupled to said clutch member whereby shifting of the first member inwardly urges the clutch member to move against the urging of the biasing means toward its other position, and a second member mounted on the hub lock housing with a portion thereof exposed for manual rotation about the axis of the hub lock housing while remaining in a selected axial position upon rotation, and a ramp-shaped cam structure interposed between said first and second members whereby upon rotation of said second member said first member is urged to move away from a non-actuating position contiguous said second member axially inwardly toward an actuating position.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said first member is coupled to said hub lock housing to permit axial movement of the second member but to restrain it against rotation.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein one of said members has a ramp-shaped cam formed thereon facing the other member and said other member has a cam follower portion which engages said cam, said cam and cam follower cooperating to urge said first member to move axially inwardly upon rotation of the second member in one direction.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said cam is formed on and projects outwardly from a face of said second member, said first member has a slot formed therein for receiving said cam as the second member is rotated, and said cam follower is formed on said first member.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said cam projects through said slot in said first member, and said cam follower is supported on an axially directed bearing surface of said cam.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said cam and slot have complementary arcuate configurations as viewed axially.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein said first member comprises a disk, the cam and slot are disposed nearer the peripheral edges of said first and second members than to the centers thereof, with a portion of said cam projecting through the slot and beyond the side of said disk opposite said second member, and a central region of said first member provides an engaging portion to act against said clutch member.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein said actuator is operated by reduced air pressure and comprises a substantially air-tight chamber, one side of which chamber is closed by a flexible diaphragm coupled to the clutch member, a central portion of which diaphragm is shifted axially under the influence of changing air pressure in the chamber, and said central portion is disposed radially inwardly from said cam.

20. A manual actuator for a combination automatic-manual hub lock system operable to provide driving interconnection/disconnection between an axle and at wheel on a vehicle comprising

a wheel hub provided for said wheel and a clutch ring engaged with one of said axle and wheel hub and movable axially inwardly relative to said wheel hub for engagement with the other of said axle and wheel hub, and an automatic actuator inducing movement of said clutch ring for automatic engagement and disengagement,

a disk-shaped first member adapted to be mounted for movement axially in the wheel hub,

a second member adapted to be mounted for manual rotation in such wheel hub contiguous said first member,

a ramp-shaped cam on one of said members directed toward the other of said members and a cam follower on the other of said members adapted to rest against and be moved by an axially directed bearing surface of said cam, whereby rotation of said second member is operable to shift said first member axially inward and away from said second member.

21. The actuator of claim 20, wherein said cam is connected to and projects axially outwardly from said second member toward said first member, said first member has an arcuate slot formed therein for receiving said cam, and said cam follower is formed on said first member adjacent said slot.

22. The actuator of claim 21, wherein said cam when viewed axially of said second member has an arcuate configuration complementary to said arcuate slot.

23. The actuator of claim 20, wherein said first member has at least one tab projecting from its peripheral edge which is adapted to engage an axially disposed recess in a hub housing to permit axial movement of the first member, but to restrain rotation thereof.

24. The actuator of claim 20, wherein said second member has retaining portions thereon adapted to engage holding means on a hub housing to permit rotation of the second member, but to restrain axial movement thereof.

25. The actuator of claim 20, wherein said second member has a gripping portion adapted to be externally exposed when installed on a hub housing to permit manual rotation of said second member.

26. The actuator of claim 20, wherein said cam has a detent formed in its bearing surface adjacent its axially innermost region adapted to receive said cam follower to releasably hold said cam follower and its associated member.

27. The actuator of claim 26, wherein said cam has a stop potion adjacent said detent to prevent relative rotation beyond a pre-selected position between said first and second members.

28. A hub locking system for a part-time four-wheel drive vehicle comprising

a wheel hub, a drive axle, and a clutch member, each mounted for rotation about a drive axis, the clutch member being movable axially inwardly and outwardly relative to the wheel hub and drive axle between first and second positions for relative rotative interlocking and unlocking of the wheel hub to the drive axle, and a biasing member biasing the clutch member outwardly,

a first member mounted for shifting axially inwardly and outwardly in the system, and when shifted inwardly to urge the clutch member to move axially inwardly against the force of the biasing member, and a second member mounted axially outwardly on the wheel hub contiguous said first member, said second member being manually rotatable about said axis and remaining in a selected axial position relative to the wheel hub upon rotation, with at least one ramp-shaped cam on one of said members interposed between the first and second members whereby upon rotation of the second member in one direction the cam urges the first member to shift axially inwardly and upon rotation in the opposite direction said first member is allowed to shift axially outwardly,

said wheel hub defining a cylindrical cavity encompassing substantially the entire outer end of the wheel hub as structurally permitted by the surrounding wall of the wheel hub, said second member including an outwardly facing cup-shaped element defining a cupped cavity extending laterally substantially the width of the cylindrical cavity, and a gripping portion spanning the cavity of the cupped cavity to provide maximum leverage for manual rotation of said second member.

29. A hub locking system for a part-time four-wheel drive vehicle comprising

a wheel hub, a drive axle, and a clutch member, each mounted for rotation about a drive axis, the clutch member being movable axially inwardly and outwardly relative to the wheel hub and drive axle between first and second positions for relative rotative interlocking and unlocking of the wheel hub to the drive axle,

an automatic actuator remotely operable by a vehicle operator to induce movement of the clutch member axially inwardly from the one position to the other position, said automatic actuator being air operated and having an expandable air chamber including a movable wall, and biasing means acting against the clutch member and opposing the operation of the automatic actuator to urge movement of the clutch member axially outwardly, said biasing means generating less force than the automatic actuator when actuated whereby operation of the actuator overcomes the opposing force of the biasing member, and

a manual override that allows manual operation when the automatic actuator is not actuated comprising a first member mounted for shifting axially inwardly and outwardly in the system, and when shifted inwardly to urge the clutch member to move axially inwardly against the force of the biasing member, and a second member mounted axially outwardly on the wheel hub contiguous said first member, said second member being manually rotatable about said axis and remaining in a selected axial position relative to the wheel hub upon rotation, with at least one ramp-shaped cam on one of said members interposed between the first and second members whereby upon rotation of the second member in one direction the cam urges the first member to shift axially inwardly and upon rotation in the opposite direction said first member is allowed to shift axially outwardly,

said wheel hub defining a cylindrical cavity at its outer end and outside the air chamber, said second member including an outwardly facing cup-shaped element defining a cavity and a gripping portion spanning the cavity of the cup-shaped element for manual rotation of said second member, and said gripping portion provided with a filter providing air passage to the cylindrical cavity that provides ambient pressure in the cavity of the wheel hub outside the chamber.