# US 10,766,362 B2 · Locking transfer case > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,766,362 B2 - Document ID: US10766362B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/438,818 - Filed: 2017-02-22 - Published: 2017-08-24 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2016-02-22 - Assignees: BorgWarner Inc. - Applicants: BorgWarner Inc. - Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard; Thaddeus R. Kopp, Jr.; Branden L. Reeves; Philip J. Francis; Joseph D. Mastie - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10766362B2 ## CPC - B60K 17/344: having a transfer gear - B60K 17/3467: {combined with a change speed gearing, e.g. range gear} - 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)} - F16D 11/14: with clutching members movable only axially (F16D11/02, F16D11/08 take precedence) - 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) - 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 47/00: Systems of clutches, or clutches and couplings, comprising devices of types grouped under at least two of the following sets of groups: F16D1/00 - F16D9/00, F16D11/00 - F16D23/00, F16D25/00 - F16D29/00, F16D31/00 - F16D39/00, F16D41/00 - F16D45/00 (freewheels combined with a clutch to lock the driving and driven members of the freewheel F16D41/04, F16D41/26) - F16H 37/065: {with a plurality of driving or driven shafts (F16H37/0806 takes precedence)} - B60K 5/02: with the engine main axis, e.g. crankshaft axis, substantially in or parallel to the longitudinal centre line of the vehicle - B60K 2023/0825: {for adding torque to the front wheels} - B60Y 2400/405: Electric motors actuators - B60Y 2400/424: Friction clutches - 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 2023/123: {Clutch actuation by cams, ramps or ball-screw mechanisms} - F16H 2200/0034: the gear ratios comprising two forward speeds - 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 - B60Y: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY ## Abstract A transfer case comprises a primary output shaft, and a secondary output shaft selectively coupleable to the primary output shaft with a plate clutch to transfer torque therebetween. The plate clutch includes a housing, a plurality of interleaved plates that are engaged alternatingly with the primary output shaft and the housing to rotate therewith, and an apply plate non-selectively coupled to the primary output shaft to rotate therewith. The apply plate is moveable axially along the primary output shaft into a first configuration in which the apply plate is positively coupled to the housing to rotate therewith, a second configuration in which the apply plate rotates independent of the housing, and a third configuration in which the apply plate compresses the interleaved plates to form a friction coupling between the primary output shaft and the housing. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A transfer case comprising: a primary output shaft; a secondary output shaft; and a clutch for selectively transferring torque between the primary shaft and the secondary output shaft, the clutch comprising: an apply plate coupled to the primary output shaft to rotate therewith; a housing coupled to the secondary shaft to rotate therewith; and interleaved plates that are alternatingly coupled to the primary shaft and the housing to rotate therewith; wherein the apply plate selectively positively couples to the housing to form a positive coupling between the primary output shaft and the secondary output shaft to transfer torque therebetween, and the apply plate selectively compresses the interleaved plates to form a friction coupling between the primary output shaft and the secondary output shaft to transfer torque therebetween. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The transfer case according to claim 1, wherein the positive coupling is formed with the apply plate in a first configuration, the friction coupling is formed with the apply plate in a second configuration, and the positive coupling and the friction coupling are not formed when the apply plate is in a third configuration. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The transfer case according to claim 2, wherein the apply plate is in a first position in the first configuration, is in a second position in the second configuration, and is in a third position in the third configuration, the third position being axially between the first position and the second position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The transfer case according to claim 3, wherein a spring presses the apply plate axially away from the interleaved plates. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The transfer case according to claim 2, wherein the apply plate includes an annular member coupled thereto that slides axially relative thereto, wherein the annular member is in a first position in the first configuration, is in a second position in the second configuration, and is in a third position in the third configuration, the third position being axially between the first position and the second position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The transfer case according to claim 5, wherein in the second position, the annular member axially engages the apply plate to compress the interleaved plates to form the friction coupling. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The transfer case according to claim 6, wherein a spring is compressed axially between the apply plate and the annular member and biases the annular member away from the apply plate. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The transfer case according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a collar coupled thereto, and wherein the apply plate selectively positively couples to the collar to form the positive coupling. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The transfer case according to claim 8, wherein the housing is annular with an inner periphery, and the collar protrudes radially inward from the inner periphery of the housing. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The transfer case according to claim 8, wherein the apply plate selectively forms a splined connection with the collar to positively couple the apply plate to the collar. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The transfer case according to claim 10, wherein the collar has an inner periphery, and the apply plate has an outer periphery that is complementary to the inner periphery of the collar to selectively form the splined connection. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The transfer case according to claim 1, further comprising an actuation system having different stages of rotation to form the positive coupling and to form the friction coupling. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The transfer case according to claim 12, wherein the actuation system includes additional stages of rotation for selecting different drive ratios of the transfer case. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The transfer case according to claim 1, further comprising an actuation system having different stages of rotation to form the positive coupling and to form the friction coupling; wherein the positive coupling is formed with the apply plate in a first configuration, the friction coupling is formed with the apply plate in a second configuration, and the positive coupling and the friction coupling are not formed when the apply plate is in a third configuration; wherein the housing includes a collar coupled thereto, and the apply plate selectively positively couples to the collar to form the positive coupling in the first configuration; wherein the housing is annular with an inner housing periphery, and the collar protrudes radially inward from the inner housing periphery of the housing; wherein the apply plate selectively forms a splined connection with the collar to positively couple the apply plate to the collar; and wherein the collar has an inner collar periphery, and the apply plate has an outer periphery that is complementary to the inner collar periphery to selectively form the splined connection. ### Claim 15 A clutch for selectively transferring torque between a primary shaft and a secondary shaft of a transfer case, the clutch comprising: an apply plate; a housing; and interleaved plates; wherein the apply plate is selectively coupleable to the housing to positively couple the primary shaft to the secondary shaft to transfer torque therebetween, and selectively compresses the interleaved plates to frictionally couple the primary shaft to the secondary shaft. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The clutch according to claim 15, wherein the housing includes a collar that is selectively engageable by the apply plate to positively couple the apply plate to the housing. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The clutch according to claim 16, wherein the apply plate is engaged with the collar in a first configuration, is disengaged with the apply plate in a second configuration in which the primary shaft and the secondary shaft are frictionally coupled and is disengaged with the apply plate in a third configuration in which the primary shaft and the secondary shaft are not frictionally coupled. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The clutch according to claim 17, wherein the apply plate is in a first position in the first configuration, in a second position in the second configuration, and in a third position in the third configuration, the third position being axially between the first position and the second position. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The clutch according to claim 17, wherein the apply plate further includes an annular member that engages the collar, and wherein the annular member is in a first position in the first configuration, in a second position in the second configuration, and in a third position in the third configuration, the third position being axially between the first position and the second position.