Drive train assembly for use in powered vehicles or trailers

• US 7,093,681 B2
• Filed: 12/05/2001
• Issued: 08/22/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James W. Cooper
• Original Assignee: James W. Cooper
• Inventors: Strain, Stuart
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FREEDMAN, LAURA
• Application Number:
  US10/182,017
• Publication Number:
  US 20040089495A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,721 Days
• Field of Search: 180/14.2, 180/14.3, 180/14.4, 180/24.11, 180/24.12, 180/247, 180/348, 180/355, 180/356, 180/361, 180/363, 180/371, 180/372, 180383-385
• US Class Current: 180/14.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/36 for driving tandem wheels
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 1/112 the interengaging parts comprising torque-transmitting surfaces, e.g. bayonet joints

Abstract

A drive train assembly for use in powered vehicles or trailers having at least one axle of driving wheels. The assembly includes a coupling mechanism coupling the engine of the vehicle and the driving wheels. The coupling mechanism is activatable between a first and a second state, wherein in the first state the engine and driving wheels are mechanically uncoupled and in the second state the engine is mechanically coupled to the driving wheels. When the driving wheels are rotated by the vehicle or trailer being towed and the engine turned off the coupling mechanism ensures that no parts of the drive train assembly do not rotate and are therefore damaged due to lack of lubrication. Two embodiments are disclosed, one with the coupling (138) in the transfer box (110), and in the second embodiment the coupling is in the wheel hub assembly. Also disclosed is an oil pump assembly driven by the wheels rather than the drive train to provide some lubrication when the wheels are rotating and the engine is off.

Claims

1. A drive train assembly for use in powered vehicles or trailers, said drive train assembly adapted to provide power to a first wheel assembly, said drive train assembly comprising:

an input shaft having a fixed gear assembly, said input shaft adapted to be rotatably coupled to a source of motive power, said fixed gear assembly being rotatable with the input shaft;

a helical drive adapted to rotate about said input shaft and having a first side gear and a second side gear located on opposite sides thereof, said first side gear being located adjacent said fixed gear assembly;

a drive disconnect gear assembly adapted to rotate about said input shaft and including two gear discs fixed to each other and extending in opposite directions, one said gear disc adapted to engage said second side gear and the other gear disc adapted to engage a thru-shaft gear to provide power to a second wheel assembly;

a clutch collar slidable from a first to a second position, wherein in said first position said clutch collar engages said fixed gear assembly and wherein in said second position said clutch collar engages both said fixed gear assembly and said first side gear;

wherein when said clutch collar is in said first position said input shaft is decoupled from said first wheel assembly; and

wherein when in the second position said clutch collar thereby causes any rotational motion of said input shaft and said fixed gear assembly to be transferred to said drive disconnect gear assembly and to said first wheel assembly.

2. The drive train assembly of claim 1, including a third wheel assembly that is provided power through said thru-shaft gear.

3. The drive train assembly of claim 1, wherein said source of motive power comprises an internal combustion engine.

4. The drive train assembly of claim 1, wherein said clutch collar includes a biasing mechanism adapted to keep said collar in said first position.

5. The drive train assembly of claim 4, wherein said biasing mechanism comprises a spring.

6. The drive train assembly of claim 1, wherein said clutch collar sliding motion is achieved by the use of a solenoid.

7. A drive train assembly for use in powered vehicles or trailers, said drive train assembly adapted to provide power to a first wheel assembly, said drive train assembly comprising:

an input shaft having a fixed gear assembly, said input shaft adapted to be rotatably coupled to a source of motive power, said input shaft being rotatably coupled to said source of motive power through a gear box, said fixed gear assembly being rotatable with said input shaft;

a helical drive adapted to rotate about said input shaft and having a first side gear and a second side gear located on opposite sides thereof, said first side gear being located adjacent said fixed gear assembly;

a drive disconnect gear assembly adapted to rotate about said input shaft and including two gear discs fixed to each other and extending in opposite directions, one said gear disc adapted to engage said second side gear and the other gear disc adapted to engage a thru-shaft gear to provide power to a second wheel assembly;

a clutch collar slidable from a first to a second position, wherein in said first position said clutch collar engages said fixed gear assembly and wherein in said second position said clutch collar engages both said fixed gear assembly and said first side gear;

wherein when said clutch collar is in the first position the input shaft is decoupled from the wheel assembly; and

wherein when in the second position the clutch collar thereby causes any rotational motion of the input shaft and the fixed gear assembly to be transferred to the drive disconnect gear assembly and to the wheel assembly.

8. A drive train assembly for use in powered vehicles or trailers, said drive train assembly adapted to provide power to a first wheel assembly, said drive train assembly comprising:

an input shaft having a fixed gear assembly, said input shaft adapted to be rotatably coupled to a source of motive power, said fixed gear assembly being rotatable with said input shaft;

a helical drive adapted to rotate about said input shaft and having a first side gear and a second side gear located on opposite sides thereof, said first side gear being located adjacent said fixed gear assembly;

a drive disconnect gear assembly adapted to rotate about said input shaft and including two gear discs, said gear discs being similar in construction, said gear discs being fixed to each other and extending in opposite directions, one said gear disc adapted to engage said second side gear and the other gear disc adapted to engage a thru-shaft gear to provide power to a second wheel assembly;

a clutch collar slidable from a first to a second position, wherein in said first position said clutch collar engages said fixed gear assembly and wherein in said second position said clutch collar engages both said fixed gear assembly and said first side gear;

wherein when said clutch collar is in the first position the input shaft is decoupled from the wheel assembly; and

wherein when in the second position the clutch collar thereby causes any rotational motion of the input shaft and the fixed gear assembly to be transferred to the drive disconnect gear assembly and to the wheel assembly.

9. A drive train assembly for use in powered vehicles or trailers, said drive train assembly adapted to provide power to a first wheel assembly, said drive train assembly comprising:

an input shaft having a fixed gear assembly, said input shaft adapted to be rotatably coupled to a source of motive power, said fixed gear assembly being rotatable with said input shaft;

an oil pump assembly rotationally coupled to said first wheel assembly to pump oil within said first wheel assembly independent of the rotation of said input shaft;

a helical drive adapted to rotate about said input shaft and having a first side gear and a second side gear located on opposite sides thereof, said first side gear being located adjacent said fixed gear assembly;

a drive disconnect gear assembly adapted to rotate about said input shaft and including two gear discs, said gear discs being fixed to each other and extending in opposite directions, one said gear disc adapted to engage said second side gear and the other gear disc adapted to engage a thru-shaft gear to provide power to a second wheel assembly;

a clutch collar slidable from a first to a second position, wherein in said first position said clutch collar engages said fixed gear assembly and wherein in said second position said clutch collar engages both said fixed gear assembly and said first side gear;

wherein when said clutch collar is in the first position the input shaft is decoupled from the wheel assembly;

wherein when in the second position the clutch collar thereby causes any rotational motion of the input shaft and the fixed gear assembly to be transferred to the drive disconnect gear assembly and to the wheel assembly.

10. A drive train assembly for use in powered vehicles or trailers, said drive train assembly adapted to provide power to a first wheel assembly, said first wheel assembly including a crown wheel, said drive train assembly comprising:

an input shaft having a fixed gear assembly, said input shaft adapted to be rotatably coupled to a source of motive power, said fixed gear assembly being rotatable with said input shaft;

an oil pump assembly rotationally coupled to said first wheel assembly to pump oil within said first wheel assembly independent of the rotation of said input shaft, said oil pump including a drive shaft mechanically coupled to said crown wheel;

a helical drive adapted to rotate about said input shaft and having a first side gear and a second side gear located on opposite sides thereof, said first side gear being located adjacent said fixed gear assembly;

a drive disconnect gear assembly adapted to rotate about said input shaft and including two gear discs, said gear discs being fixed to each other and extending in opposite directions, one said gear disc adapted to engage said second side gear and the other gear disc adapted to engage a thru-shaft gear to provide power to a second wheel assembly;

a clutch collar slidable from a first to a second position, wherein in said first position said clutch collar engages said fixed gear assembly and wherein in said second position said clutch collar engages both said fixed gear assembly and said first side gear;

wherein when said clutch collar is in the first position the input shaft is decoupled from the wheel assembly;

wherein when in the second position the clutch collar thereby causes any rotational motion of the input shaft and the fixed gear assembly to be transferred to the drive disconnect gear assembly and to the wheel assembly.