# US 10,245,946 B2 · Platform heavy duty transfer case

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- Number: US 10,245,946 B2
- Document ID: US10245946B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/058,362
- Filed: 2016-03-02
- Published: 2016-11-10
- Granted: 2019-04-02
- Earliest claimed: 2015-05-05
- Assignees: Magna Powertrain of America, Inc.
- Applicants: Magna Powertrain of America, Inc.
- Inventors: Joseph McNally
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10245946B2

## CPC

- B60K 17/3467: {combined with a change speed gearing, e.g. range gear}
- B60K 17/344: having a transfer gear
- B60K 17/35: including arrangements for suppressing or influencing the power transfer, e.g. viscous clutches
- B60K 23/08: for changing number of driven wheels {, for switching from driving one axle to driving two or more axles (B60K17/3515 takes precedence)}
- B60K 23/0808: {for varying torque distribution between driven axles, e.g. by transfer clutch}
- F16D 23/12: Mechanical clutch-actuating mechanisms arranged outside the clutch as such (specific for combined clutches F16D21/00; mechanisms specific for synchronisation F16D23/02)
- B60K 2023/0825: {for adding torque to the front wheels}
- B60K 2023/0858: {with electric means, e.g. electro-hydraulic means}
- B60W 2720/403: between front and rear axle
- B60Y 2400/405: Electric motors actuators
- F16H 2048/02: {Transfer gears for influencing drive between outputs}
- F16H 2048/04: {having unequal torque transfer between two outputs}
- B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- F16D: COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
- B60W: CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
- B60Y: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY
- F16H: GEARING

## Abstract

A two-speed transfer case configured for use in heavy-duty four-wheel drive vehicles and which is equipped with a low-torque power transfer arrangement and a high-torque power transfer arrangement.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A transfer case for use in a motor vehicle having a powertrain and front and rear drivelines, the transfer case comprising:
a mainshaft adapted to receive drive torque from the powertrain;
a rear output shaft adapted to be connected to the rear driveline;
a front output shaft adapted to be connected to the front driveline;
a transfer mechanism having a first transfer component rotatably supported on said mainshaft and a second transfer component rotatably supported on said front output shaft, said first and second transfer components being drivingly interconnected for common rotation;
a mode clutch operable in a first mode to disconnect said first transfer component from said mainshaft and in a second mode to connect said first transfer component to said mainshaft;
a mode actuator for controlling shifting of said mode clutch between its first and second modes;
a rear planetary gearset having a first component driven directly by said mainshaft and a second component driven at a reduced speed relative to said mainshaft;
a rear range collar drivingly connected to said rear output shaft and moveable between first and second range positions relative to said rear planetary gearset, said rear range collar operable in its first range position to establish a drive connection between said first component of said rear planetary gearset and said rear output shaft and is further operable in its second range position to establish a drive connection between said second component of said rear planetary gearset and said rear output shaft;
a front planetary gearset having a first component driven directly by said second transfer component and a second component driven at a reduced speed relative to said second transfer component;
a front range collar drivingly connected to said front output shaft and moveable between first and second range positions relative to said front planetary gearset, said first range collar operable in its first range position to establish a drive connection between said first component of said front planetary gearset and said front output shaft and is further operable in its second range position to establish a drive connection between said second component of said front planetary gearset and said front output shaft; and
a range actuator operable for controlling coordinated movement of said rear range collar and said front range collar between their respective first and second range positions.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The transfer case of claim 1 wherein said range actuator is a single power-operated mechanism configured to cause coordinated movement of said front range collar and said rear range collar between their respective first and second range positions.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The transfer case of claim 1 wherein said range actuator includes a front range actuator for controlling movement of said front range collar and a rear range actuator for controlling movement of said rear range collar.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The transfer case of claim 1 wherein said mode clutch is a multi-plate friction clutch operably disposed between said mainshaft and said first transfer component, and wherein said mode actuator is a power-operated device configured to control variable engagement of said friction clutch.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The transfer case of claim 1 wherein said mode clutch is a dog clutch operably disposed between said mainshaft and said first transfer component, and wherein said mode actuator operates to move said dog clutch between a first position disconnecting said first transfer component from said mainshaft and a second position connecting said first transfer component for rotation with said mainshaft.