Driveline disconnect device
First Claim
1. A disconnect assembly for a driveline component, comprising:
- an input shaft rotated about an axis;
a disconnect shaft selectively rotated by the input shaft;
a first gear coupled to the disconnect shaft for rotation with the disconnect shaft;
an output shaft;
a second gear coupled to the output shaft and to the first gear so that the output shaft rotates when the disconnect shaft rotates; and
a connection feature that is movable between an engaged position in which the input shaft and disconnect shaft are coupled for co-rotation and a disengaged position in which the input shaft rotates relative to the disconnect shaft, the connection feature including a first part carried by the first gear for rotation with the first gear and a second part movable relative to the first part and carried by the input shaft for rotation with the input shaft, wherein the connection feature is driven to the disengaged position and releasably held in the disengaged position and the connection feature is biased to the engaged position so that the connection feature remains in the engaged position absent a stronger force applied to the connection feature.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In at least some implementations, a disconnect assembly for a driveline component, such as a power transfer unit, may include an input shaft, a disconnect shaft selectively rotated by the input shaft and an output shaft coupled to the disconnect shaft. A first gear is coupled to the disconnect shaft and a second gear is coupled to the output shaft and to the first gear so that the output shaft rotates when the disconnect shaft rotates. A connection feature is movable between an engaged position in which the input shaft and disconnect shaft are coupled and a disengaged position in which the input shaft rotates relative to the disconnect shaft. The connection feature includes a first part carried by the gear for rotation therewith and a second part movable relative to the first part and carried by the input shaft for rotation with the input shaft.
12 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A disconnect assembly for a driveline component, comprising:
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an input shaft rotated about an axis; a disconnect shaft selectively rotated by the input shaft; a first gear coupled to the disconnect shaft for rotation with the disconnect shaft; an output shaft; a second gear coupled to the output shaft and to the first gear so that the output shaft rotates when the disconnect shaft rotates; and a connection feature that is movable between an engaged position in which the input shaft and disconnect shaft are coupled for co-rotation and a disengaged position in which the input shaft rotates relative to the disconnect shaft, the connection feature including a first part carried by the first gear for rotation with the first gear and a second part movable relative to the first part and carried by the input shaft for rotation with the input shaft, wherein the connection feature is driven to the disengaged position and releasably held in the disengaged position and the connection feature is biased to the engaged position so that the connection feature remains in the engaged position absent a stronger force applied to the connection feature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 17, 18)
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7. A driveline component for a vehicle, comprising:
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an input shaft rotated about an axis; a disconnect shaft selectively rotated by the input shaft; an output shaft coupled to the disconnect shaft to rotate when the disconnect shaft rotates; and a disconnect device that selectively couples together the input shaft and the disconnect shaft so that the output shaft is selectively rotated, the disconnect device includes a connection feature that is movable between an engaged position in which the input shaft and disconnect shaft are coupled and a disengaged position in which the input shaft rotates relative to the disconnect shaft, the disconnect device includes an actuator that causes movement of the connection feature from at least one of the engaged position and the disengaged position to the other of the engaged position or disengaged position, and the disconnect device includes a retention feature that releasably retains the connection feature in at least one of the engaged position or disengaged position;
wherein the actuator includes a drive, a cam driven by the drive and a follower responsive to at least some movement of the cam, and wherein the retention feature selectively engages the follower to at least inhibit movement of the follower and retain the connection feature in either its engaged position or disengaged position. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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19. A driveline component for a vehicle, comprising:
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an input shaft rotated about an axis; a disconnect shaft selectively rotated by the input shaft; an output shaft coupled to the disconnect shaft to rotate when the disconnect shaft rotates; and a disconnect device that selectively couples together the input shaft and the disconnect shaft so that the output shaft is selectively rotated, the disconnect device includes a connection feature that is movable between an engaged position in which the input shaft and disconnect shaft are coupled and a disengaged position in which the input shaft rotates relative to the disconnect shaft, the disconnect device includes a drive that causes movement of the connection feature from at least one of the engaged position and the disengaged position to the other of the engaged position or disengaged position, and the disconnect device includes a retention feature that releasably retains the connection feature in at least one of the engaged position or disengaged position, wherein the drive includes a coil that generates a magnetic field when energized and a plunger that is driven in at least one direction by the generated magnetic field, and wherein the connection feature includes a first part carried by the disconnect shaft and a second part carried by the input shaft and the second part of the connection feature is movable relative to the first part by the plunger to move the connection feature to its engaged position, and wherein the coil is energized to move the plunger in a first direction to cause the connection feature to move from the engaged position to the disengaged position and the coil is energized to move the plunger in the first direction to cause the connection feature to move from the disengaged position to the engaged position.
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Specification