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US 2003/0148848 A1Published application
On-demand transfer case with integrated sprocket and bi-directional clutch assembly
AssigneeNew Venture Gear, Inc.
InventorRandolph C. Williams
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An on-demand two-speed transfer case is equipped with a planetary gearset assembly and a range shift mechanism to provide high-range and low-range drive connections. The transfer case is also equipped with a dual-mode bi-directional overrunning clutch and a mode shift mechanism to establish on-demand and part-time four-wheel drive modes.
Claims47
A transfer case comprising:
- an input shaft;
- first and second output shafts;
- a planetary gear assembly including a sun gear driven by said input shaft, a carrier driving said first output shaft, a ring gear, and a planet gear supported by said carrier and meshed with said sun gear and said ring gear, said ring gear interconnected to said sun gear so as to facilitate relative rotation therebetween and movement of said sun gear in response to movement of said ring gear;
- a range clutch fixed to said ring gear and moveable between a high-range position and a low-range position to establish corresponding high-range and low-range drive connections between said input shaft and said carrier, said range clutch is operable in its high-range position to couple said sun gear to said carrier and release said ring gear from coupled engagement with a stationary member, and said range clutch is operable in its low-range position to release said sun gear from couple engagement with said carrier and couple said ring gear to said stationary member;
- a transfer assembly connected to said second output shaft;
- a bi-directional overrunning mode clutch operably disposed between said transfer assembly and said first output shaft including a mode actuator that is moveable between a first position and a second position to establish corresponding AUTO and LOCK modes, said overrunning clutch is operable in its AUTO mode to permit relative rotation between said first and second output shafts in a first direction and prevent relative rotation therebetween in a second direction, and said overrunning clutch is operable in its LOCK mode to prevent relative rotation between said first and second output shafts in both directions;
- and
- a shift mechanism for controlling movement of said range clutch and said mode actuator.
5 more elements
A transfer case comprising:
- an input shaft;
- first and second output shafts;
- a planetary gear assembly including a sun gear driven by said input shaft, a ring gear, a carrier driving said first output shaft, and a planet gear supported by said carrier and meshed with said sun gear and said ring gear, said ring gear is interconnected to said sun gear to permit concurrent sliding movement between a first position and a second position while allowing relative rotation therebetween, said sun gear is permitted to rotate relative to said carrier when located in its second position and said sun gear is coupled to said carrier when located in its first position;
- a transfer assembly to said second output shaft;
- a bi-directional overrunning mode clutch operably disposed between said transfer assembly and said first output shaft including a mode actuator that is moveable between a first position and a second position to establish corresponding AUTO and LOCK modes, said overrunning clutch is operable in its AUTO mode to permit relative rotation between said first and second output shafts in a first direction and prevent relative rotation therebetween in a second direction, and said overrunning clutch is operable in its LOCK mode to prevent relative rotation between said first and second output shafts in both directions;
- a range shift mechanism for moving said ring gear between its first and second positions to establish high-range and low-range drive connections between said input shaft and said carrier assembly, said high-range connection is established when said ring gear is in its first position whereat said sun gear is coupled to said second clutch plate and said ring gear is released from said first clutch plate and said low-range drive connection is established when said ring gear is in its second position whereat said ring gear is coupled to said first clutch plate and said sun gear is released from said first clutch plate;
- and
- a mode shift mechanism for moving said ring gear between its first and second positions.
5 more elements
A transfer case comprising:
- an input shaft;
- a first output shaft
- a planetary gearset including a sun gear driven by said input shaft, a ring gear, a carrier driving said first output shaft, and a set of planet gears rotatably supported by said carrier and meshed with said sun gear and said ring gear;
- a range clutch including a first clutch plate driven by said input shaft, a second clutch plate fixed to a stationary member, a hub driving said ring gear, and a range sleeve splined for rotation on said hub and sliding movement thereon between a high-range position and a low-range position to couple said hub to said first clutch plate and further operable in its low-range position to couple said hub to said second clutch plate;
- a second output shaft;
- a transfer assembly including a first sprocket rotatably supported on said first output shaft which is coupled to a second sprocket fixed to said second output shaft, said first sprocket defining an annular chamber;
- a bi-directional overrunning mode clutch disposed in said chamber and which is operable in a AUTO mode to permit relative rotation between said first and second output shafts in a first direction and prevent relative rotation therebetween in a second direction, said mode clutch further operable in a LOCK mode to prevent relative rotation between said first and second output shafts in both directions;
- a mode actuator that is moveable between a first position and a second position to establish said AUTO and LOCK modes;
- and
- a shift mechanism for controlling movement of said range sleeve and said mode actuator.
7 more elements
A transfer case comprising:
- an input shaft;
- a first output shaft
- a planetary gearset including a sun gear driven by said input shaft, a ring gear, a carrier, and a set of planet gears rotatably supported by said carrier and meshed with said sun gear and said ring gear;
- a range clutch including a first clutch plate driven by said input shaft, a second clutch plate fixed to a stationary member, a hub driving said ring gear, and a range sleeve splined for rotation on said hub and sliding movement thereon between a high-range position and a low-range position to couple said hub to said first clutch plate and further operable in its low-range position to couple said hub to said second clutch plate;
- a second output shaft;
- a transfer assembly including a first sprocket rotatably supported on said first output shaft and coupled to said carrier, to a second sprocket fixed to said second output shaft, and a chain coupling said first and second sprockets, said first sprocket defining an annular sprocket chamber;
- a bi-directional overrunning mode clutch disposed in said sprocket chamber and which is operable in a AUTO mode to permit relative rotation between said first and second output shafts in a first direction and prevent relative rotation therebetween in a second direction, said mode clutch further operable in a LOCK mode to prevent relative rotation between said first and second output shafts in both directions;
- a mode actuator that is moveable between a first position and a second position to establish said AUTO and LOCK modes;
- and
- a shift mechanism for controlling movement of said range sleeve and said mode actuator.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.