Transfer case with disconnectable transfer clutch
First Claim
1. A transfer case for use in motor vehicles for transferring drive torque from a powertrain to first and second drivelines, said transfer case comprising:
- a first output shaft adapted to transmit drive torque from the powertrain to the first driveline;
a second output shaft adapted to transmit drive torque to the second driveline;
a transfer clutch for transferring drive torque from said first output shaft to said second output shaft, said transfer clutch including a first clutch member supported on said first output shaft, a second clutch member coupled for rotation with said second output shaft, and a clutch pack having a first plate coupled for rotation with said first clutch member and a second plate coupled for rotation with said second clutch member, said transfer clutch further including an apply plate coupled for rotation with said first output shaft and sliding movement relative thereto, and a spring acting between said first and second clutch members; and
an actuator for moving said apply plate to establish one of a two-wheel drive mode and a four-wheel drive mode, said actuator is operable to locate said apply plate in a first position disengaged from said clutch pack such that said spring biases said first clutch member to a disconnect position whereat said first clutch plate is uncoupled from said first output shaft for establishing said two-wheel drive mode, and said actuator is operable to locate said apply plate in a second position engaged with said clutch pack such that said first clutch member is located in a connect position whereat said first clutch member is coupled for rotation with said first output shaft for establishing said four-wheel drive mode.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A transfer case having a primary output shaft, a secondary output shaft, and a transfer clutch disposed therebetween. The transfer clutch includes an inner drum journalled on the primary output shaft and which has clutch teeth that are selectively engageable with clutch teeth on the primary output shaft, an outer drum rotatably supported on the primary output shaft and which is fixed for rotation with the secondary output shaft, and a clutch pack operably interconnected between the inner and outer drums. The transfer clutch also includes an apply plate that is coupled for rotation with the primary output shaft and which is moveable for exerting a compressive clutch engagement force on the clutch pack, a primary spring which acts between the inner and outer drums for biasing the inner drum toward a "disconnect" position whereat its clutch teeth are disengaged from the clutch teeth on the primary output shaft, and a secondary spring which acts between the inner drum and the apply plate for biasing the apply plate toward a "released" position whereat it is disengaged from the clutch pack. The transfer case further includes a power-operated actuator assembly for causing movement of the apply plate, sensors for detecting vehicle conditions and generating sensor signals, a mode selector for permitting a vehicle operator to select a desired drive mode and generate a corresponding mode signal, and a controller for controlling actuation of the actuator assembly in response to the sensor and mode signals.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A transfer case for use in motor vehicles for transferring drive torque from a powertrain to first and second drivelines, said transfer case comprising:
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a first output shaft adapted to transmit drive torque from the powertrain to the first driveline; a second output shaft adapted to transmit drive torque to the second driveline; a transfer clutch for transferring drive torque from said first output shaft to said second output shaft, said transfer clutch including a first clutch member supported on said first output shaft, a second clutch member coupled for rotation with said second output shaft, and a clutch pack having a first plate coupled for rotation with said first clutch member and a second plate coupled for rotation with said second clutch member, said transfer clutch further including an apply plate coupled for rotation with said first output shaft and sliding movement relative thereto, and a spring acting between said first and second clutch members; and an actuator for moving said apply plate to establish one of a two-wheel drive mode and a four-wheel drive mode, said actuator is operable to locate said apply plate in a first position disengaged from said clutch pack such that said spring biases said first clutch member to a disconnect position whereat said first clutch plate is uncoupled from said first output shaft for establishing said two-wheel drive mode, and said actuator is operable to locate said apply plate in a second position engaged with said clutch pack such that said first clutch member is located in a connect position whereat said first clutch member is coupled for rotation with said first output shaft for establishing said four-wheel drive mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A clutch assembly for transferring rotary power from a first shaft to a second shaft, comprising:
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a first clutch member adapted to be supported on the first shaft; a second clutch member adapted to be coupled for rotation with the second shaft; a clutch pack having a first plate coupled for rotation with said first clutch member and a second plate coupled for rotation with said second clutch member; an apply plate adapted to be coupled for rotation with the first shaft and sliding movement relative thereto; a spring acting between said first and second clutch members; and an actuator for moving said apply plate to establish one of a first drive mode and a second drive mode, said actuator is operable to locate said apply plate in a first position disengaged from said clutch pack such that said spring biases said first clutch member to a disconnect position whereat said first clutch plate is uncoupled from the first shaft for establishing said first drive mode, and said actuator is operable to locate said apply plate in a second position engaged with said clutch pack such that said first clutch member is located in a connect position whereat said first clutch member is coupled for rotation with the first shaft for establishing said second drive mode. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification