# US 10,479,199 B2 · Disconnectable power transfer unit

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- Number: US 10,479,199 B2
- Document ID: US10479199B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/921,729
- Filed: 2018-03-15
- Published: 2018-07-19
- Granted: 2019-11-19
- Earliest claimed: 2015-11-10
- Assignees: GKN Driveline Japan Ltd.
- Applicants: GKN Driveline Japan Ltd
- Inventors: Satoshi Niimura; Masashi Aikawa
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10479199B2

## CPC

- 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 17/02: characterised by arrangement, location, or kind of clutch
- B60K 17/344: having a transfer gear
- B60K 23/0808: {for varying torque distribution between driven axles, e.g. by transfer clutch}
- F16D 11/14: with clutching members movable only axially (F16D11/02, F16D11/08 take precedence)
- F16D 13/52: Clutches with multiple lamellae {; Clutches in which three or more axially moveable members are fixed alternately to the shafts to be coupled and are pressed from one side towards an axially-located member (F16D13/385 takes precedence)}
- F16D 28/00: Electrically-actuated clutches (arrangements for synchronisation F16D23/02; clutches actuated directly by means of an electromagnet F16D27/00; automatic clutches F16D43/00 - F16D45/00; external control F16D48/00)
- F16D 2023/123: {Clutch actuation by cams, ramps or ball-screw mechanisms}
- F16H 1/32: in which the central axis of the gearing lies inside the periphery of an orbital gear
- F16H 2001/325: {comprising a carrier with pins guiding at least one orbital gear with circular holes}
- 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
- F16H: GEARING

## Abstract

A power transfer unit is comprised of: a hollow input shaft rotatable about the first axis; an intermediate shaft rotatable about the first axis; an output shaft in mesh with the intermediate shaft and rotatable about the second axis; a clutch coupling the input shaft with the intermediate shaft; an input member rotatable about the first axis and including an eccentric shaft eccentric from the first axis; a fixed member immovable about the first axis; an intermediate member fitting on the eccentric shaft to make an eccentric motion and meshing with the fixed member to make a rotary motion about the eccentric shaft; an output member engaging with and following the intermediate member; and a cam mechanism interposed between the output member and the clutch and converting the rotary motion of the output member into an axial motion.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A power transfer unit intermissively transferring torque about a first axis toward a second axis different from the first axis, comprising:
a hollow input shaft rotatable about the first axis and so dimensioned as to allow penetration of an axle along the first axis;
an intermediate shaft rotatable independently from the input shaft about the first axis;
an output shaft in mesh with the intermediate shaft and rotatable about the second axis;
a clutch disconnectably and drivingly coupling the input shaft with the intermediate shaft;
a motor including a rotor rotating about the first shaft;
an input member coupled with the rotor to be rotatable about the first axis and including an eccentric shaft eccentric from the first axis;
a fixed member immovable about the first axis;
an intermediate member fitting on the eccentric shaft to make an eccentric motion and meshing with the fixed member to make a rotary motion about the eccentric shaft;
an output member rotatable about the first axis and engaging with and following the intermediate member; and
a cam mechanism interposed between the output member and the clutch and converting the rotary motion of the output member into a motion in a direction of the first axis.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The power transfer unit of claim 1, wherein the clutch comprises a first clutch member movable in the direction of the first axis and coupled with the input shaft, and a second clutch member coupled with the intermediate shaft, the first clutch member being so exposed to the cam mechanism as to be pressed by the cam mechanism to connect with the second clutch member.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The power transfer unit of claim 2, wherein the first clutch member comprises a key extending in the direction of the first axis and directly coupling the first clutch member with the input shaft.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The power transfer unit of claim 1, further comprising:
a casing;
a sub-casing detachably fixed to the casing and supporting at least the clutch and the cam mechanism; and
a thrust bearing interposed between the clutch and the sub-casing to receive a thrust force by the cam mechanism.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The power transfer unit of claim 1, wherein the fixed member comprises an internal gear having a first tooth number, and the intermediate member comprises an external gear in mesh with the internal gear and having a second tooth number smaller than the first tooth number, whereby the intermediate member is in mesh with the fixed member.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The power transfer unit of claim 1, wherein the cam mechanism comprises:
a cam stator coupled with or forming a unitary body with the fixed member; and
a cam rotor axially movable and engaging and rotating with the output member, the cam rotor being pressed by the cam stator to make a motion in the direction of the first axis and press the clutch.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The power transfer unit of claim 6, where any one or both of the cam rotor and the cam stator comprise a cam projection, or a cam member is interposed between the cam rotor and the cam stator, so that the cam mechanism converts the rotary motion of the output member into the motion in the direction of the first axis.