Integrated disconnect for drive unit
AssigneeRivian IP Holdings, LLC
InventorsMason Verbridge, George Zalanca, Cameron P. Williams
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods are presented herein for providing an integrated disconnect. The integrated disconnect may be used within a drive unit. The integrated disconnect comprises an output gear having a cavity. A torque transfer adapter is arranged within the cavity. A clutch body is also arranged within the cavity. The clutch is actuatable through the output gear by an actuator to engage and disengage the clutch with the torque transfer adaptor. The actuator is located external to the cavity.
Claims20
An integrated disconnect arranged within a housing, comprising:
- an output gear having an angled surface that at least partially defines a cavity;
- a torque transfer adapter, arranged within the cavity, that is configured to receive a half shaft;
- a clutch body arranged within the cavity, wherein the clutch body is actuatable through the output gear by a solenoid, located external to the cavity, coupled to a clutch arm that extends from the clutch body through the angled surface, wherein the solenoid is configured to translate the clutch body to an engaged position relative to the torque transfer adaptor;
- and
- a return mechanism affixed to the clutch body, wherein the return mechanism is configured to translate the clutch body into a disengaged position such that the clutch body is separated from the torque transfer adapter.
A vehicle powertrain, comprising:
- a motor;
- and
- an integrated disconnect arranged within a housing, wherein the integrated disconnect interfaces with the motor through a drive unit, the integrated disconnect comprising:
- an output gear having an angled surface that at least partially defines a cavity;
- a torque transfer adapter, arranged within the cavity, that is configured to receive a half shaft;
- a clutch body arranged within the cavity, wherein the clutch body is actuatable through the output gear by a solenoid, located external to the cavity, coupled to a clutch arm that extends from the clutch body through the angled surface, wherein the solenoid is configured to translate the clutch body to an engaged position relative to the torque transfer adaptor;
- and
- a return mechanism affixed to the clutch body, wherein the return mechanism is configured to translate the clutch body into a disengaged position such that the clutch body is separated from the torque transfer adapter.
A dual integrated disconnect, comprising:
- a first output gear having a first angled surface that at least partially defines a first cavity;
- a first torque transfer adapter, arranged within the first cavity, that is configured to receive a first half shaft;
- a second output gear having a second angled surface that at least partially defines a second cavity that opposes the first cavity;
- a second torque transfer adapter arranged within the second cavity;
- a clutch assembly arranged within the first cavity and the second cavity, wherein the clutch assembly is actuatable by at least one solenoid, located external to one or more of the first cavity or the second cavity, to an engaged position relative to one or more of the first torque transfer adaptor or the second torque transfer adapter, wherein the at least one solenoid is coupled to at least one clutch arm that extends from the clutch assembly through one or more of the first angled surface or the second angled surface;
- and
- a return mechanism configured to modify the clutch assembly into a disengaged position such that the clutch assembly is separated from the first torque transfer adapter and the second torque transfer adapter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.