Transaxle having a differential mechanism and on-demand transfer clutch
First Claim
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1. A powertrain for transmitting power to the drive wheels of a vehicle, comprising:
- a transaxle case;
a transaxle drive mechanism located in the transaxle case including an input and an output, for producing variable ratios of a speed of the output and a speed of the input;
a differential mechanism secured to the output and located in the transaxle case, for transmitting power between the output and a first set of drive wheels; and
a transfer clutch located in the transaxle case, secured to the output, for transmitting power between the output and the wheels of a second set of drive wheels; and
a control system located in the transaxle case for hydraulically actuating the transfer clutch and including a source of hydraulic feed pressure;
pressure regulator valve for producing a source of regulated hydraulic pressure in response to the hydraulic feed pressure;
a first solenoid-operated valve communicating with the source of regulated hydraulic pressure, for alternately opening and closing communication between a high-low pressure output and the source of rcgulated hydraulic pressure;
a second solenoid-operated valve communicating with the source of regulated hydraulic pressure, for producing a variable pressure output;
a transfer gain control valve communicating with the high-low pressure output and variable pressure output, for outputting a relatively low pressure when the first solenoid-operated valve is closed and a variable pressure when the first solenoid-operated valve is open; and
a clutch pressure regulator valve communicating with the output of the transfer gain control valve, the variable pressure output produced by the second solenoid-operated valve, and the source of hydraulic feed pressure for regulating clutch pressure.
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Abstract
A powertrain for transmitting power to the drive wheels of a vehicle includes a transaxle case containing a transaxle drive mechanism for producing variable ratios of a speed of its output and a speed of its input, a differential mechanism for transmitting power between the output and the wheels of a first set of drive wheel, a transfer clutch secured to the output for transmitting power between the output and the wheels of a second set of drive wheels, and a control system for hydraulically actuating the transfer clutch.
32 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A powertrain for transmitting power to the drive wheels of a vehicle, comprising:
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a transaxle case; a transaxle drive mechanism located in the transaxle case including an input and an output, for producing variable ratios of a speed of the output and a speed of the input; a differential mechanism secured to the output and located in the transaxle case, for transmitting power between the output and a first set of drive wheels; and a transfer clutch located in the transaxle case, secured to the output, for transmitting power between the output and the wheels of a second set of drive wheels; and a control system located in the transaxle case for hydraulically actuating the transfer clutch and including a source of hydraulic feed pressure;
pressure regulator valve for producing a source of regulated hydraulic pressure in response to the hydraulic feed pressure;
a first solenoid-operated valve communicating with the source of regulated hydraulic pressure, for alternately opening and closing communication between a high-low pressure output and the source of rcgulated hydraulic pressure;
a second solenoid-operated valve communicating with the source of regulated hydraulic pressure, for producing a variable pressure output;
a transfer gain control valve communicating with the high-low pressure output and variable pressure output, for outputting a relatively low pressure when the first solenoid-operated valve is closed and a variable pressure when the first solenoid-operated valve is open; and
a clutch pressure regulator valve communicating with the output of the transfer gain control valve, the variable pressure output produced by the second solenoid-operated valve, and the source of hydraulic feed pressure for regulating clutch pressure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A powertrain for transmitting power to the drive wheels of a vehicle, comprising:
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a transaxle case; a first shaft driveably connected to a first drive wheel; a second shaft driveably connected to a second drive wheel; and a transaxle drive mechanism located in the transaxle case including an input and an output, for producing variable ratios of a speed of the output and a speed of the input; a differential mechanism located in the transaxle case, including a ring gear driveably secured to the output, a sun gear driveably connected to the first shaft, a pinion carrier driveably connected to the second shaft, and a set of planet pinions rotatably supported on the carrier and in meshing engagement with the sun gear and ring gear, for transmitting torque from the output to a first set of drive wheels; a transaxle clutch located in the transaxle case, secured to the output, for transmitting power between the output and the wheels of a second set of drive wheels; and a control system located in the transaxle case for hydraulically actuating the transfer clutch and including a source of hydraulic feed pressure;
pressure regulator valve producing a source of regulated hydraulic pressure in response to the hydraulic pressure;
a first solenoid-operated valve communicating with the source of regulated hydraulic pressure, for alternately opening and closing communication between a high-low pressure output and the source of regulated hydraulic pressure;
a second solenoid-operated valve communicating with the source of regulated hydraulic pressure, for producing a variable pressure output;
a transfer gain control valve communicating with the high-low pressure output and variable pressure output, for outputting a relatively low pressure when the first solenoid-operated valve is closed and a variable pressure when the first solenoid-operated valve is open; and
a clutch pressure regulator valve communicating with an output of the transfer gain control valve, the variable pressure output produced by the second solenoid-operated valve, and the source of hydraulic feed pressure, for regulating clutch pressure. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification