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US 10,724,580 B2Granted
Motorized disconnect system and operation methods
AssigneeWarn Automotive, LLC
InventorsBryan Averill, Oliver Heravi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for a motorized disconnect operable to selectively engage and disengage two rotating components of a vehicle drivetrain. As one example, a motorized disconnect system is provided that operates via an electric motor and includes a shifter assembly with an oscillating gear track and cam profile for rotating the shifter assembly while moving it in an axial direction to selectively couple two rotating components.
Claims14
A motorized disconnect assembly, comprising:
- a motor;
- a worm gear coupled with the motor and adapted to be driven in a single direction by the motor;
- and
- a shifter assembly including:
- a first gear including a gear track with a plurality of teeth that are continuous around an outer circumference of the first gear, the gear track in contact with the worm gear;
- and
- a clutch ring positioned on an inner surface of the first gear and adapted to translate via input from the first gear to selectively couple and uncouple a first shaft and a second shaft.
4 more elements
A motorized disconnect assembly, comprising:
- a motor;
- a worm gear coupled with the motor and adapted to be driven in a single direction by the motor;
- and
- a shifter assembly including:
- a first gear including a gear track with a plurality of teeth that are continuous around an outer circumference of the first gear, the gear track in contact with the worm gear;
- and
- a clutch ring adapted to translate via input from the first gear to selectively couple and uncouple a first shaft and a second shaft,
- wherein the clutch ring includes an inner surface including a first set of teeth, a second set of teeth, and a non-toothed section separating the first set of teeth and the second set of teeth.
5 more elements
A method for selectively engaging two shafts, comprising:
- during a first mode, holding a clutch ring of a shifter assembly in a first position where the clutch ring is engaged only with a first shaft via a worm gear driven by a motor adapted to rotate the worm gear in only a first direction;
- upon receiving a command to shift to a second mode, driving the worm gear into contact with a gear track on a first gear of the shifter assembly, the gear track including a plurality of teeth that are continuous around an outer circumference of the first gear, and moving the clutch ring in a first axial direction and into a second position where the clutch ring is engaged with both the first shaft and a second shaft;
- and
- upon receiving a command to shift back to the first mode, driving the worm gear in the first axial direction, and moving the clutch ring in a second axial direction until the shifter assembly reaches the first position, the second axial direction opposite the first axial direction.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.