US 2004/0106489 A1Published application

Transfer case shift system for controllable bi-directional overrunning clutch

AssigneeNew Venture Gear, Inc.

InventorsRandolph C. Williams, Aaron Ronk

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Abstract

A controllable, multi-mode, bi-directional overrunning clutch assembly and a shift system adapted for use in a transfer case for transferring drive torque from a primary output shaft to a secondary output shaft so as to establish a four-wheel drive mode. The clutch assembly includes a first ring journalled on a first rotary member, a second ring fixed to a second rotary member, and a plurality of rollers disposed in opposed cam tracks formed between the first and second rings. The first ring is split to define an actuation channel between its end segments. A cam rod is moveable between positions engaged with and released from one or both end segments of the split first ring. The shift system includes a mode fork which controls movement of the cam rod for establishing four distinct operational modes.

Claims35

Dependent claims

A transfer case comprising:

an input shaft;
a reduction unit driven by said input shaft and having an output member driven at a reduced speed relative to said input shaft;
first and second output shafts;
a range actuator moveable between first and second range positions to establish corresponding high-range and low-range drive connections between said first output shaft and said input shaft and said output member;
a bi-directional mode cutch having a first ring driven by said first output shaft and a second ring adapted to rotate relative to said first ring for selectively coupling said first ring to said second output shaft;
a mode actuator moveable between at least three mode positions, said mode actuator is operable in its first mode position to permit rotation of said second ring relative to said first ring in a first direction and prevent rotation of said second ring relative to said first ring in a second direction to establish an on-demand four-wheel drive mode, said mode actuator is operable in its second mode position to permit rotation of said second ring relative to said first ring in both directions to establish a part-time four-wheel drive mode, and said mode actuator is operable in its third mode position to prevent rotation of said second ring relative to said first ring in both directions to establish a two-wheel drive mode;
a shift mechanism for coordinating movement of said range actuator and said mode actuator, said shift mechanism is operable in a first shift position for locating said range actuator in its first range position and said mode actuator in its first mode position to establish an on-demand four-wheel high-range (AUTO) drive mode, said shift mechanism is operable in a second shift position for locating said range actuator in its first range position and said mode actuator in its second mode position to establish a part-time four-wheel high-range (4WH) drive mode, said shift mechanism is operable in a third shift position for locating said range actuator in its first range position and said mode actuator in its third mode position to establish a two-wheel high-range (2WH) drive mode, and said shift mechanism is operable in a fourth shift position for locating said range actuator in its second range position and said mode actuator in its second mode position to establish a part-time four-wheel low-range (4WL) drive mode;
and
a control system for controlling movement of said shift mechanism.

6 more elements

A transfer case comprising:

an input shaft;
a reduction unit driven by said input shaft and having an output member driven at a reduced speed relative to said input shaft;
first and second output shafts;
a range actuator moveable between first and second range positions to establish corresponding high-range and low-range drive connections between said first output shaft and said input shaft and said output member;
a transfer assembly driven by said first output shaft;
a bi-directional mode cutch having a first ring driven by said transfer assembly and a second ring coaxially disposed between said first ring and said second output shaft, said second ring adapted to rotate relative to said first ring for selectively coupling said first ring to said second output shaft;
a mode actuator moveable between three mode positions, said mode actuator is operable in its first mode position to permit rotation of said second ring relative to said first ring in a first direction and prevent rotation of said second ring relative to said first ring in a second direction to establish an on-demand four-wheel drive mode, said mode actuator is operable in its second mode position to permit rotation of said second ring relative to said first ring in both directions to establish a part-time four-wheel drive mode, and said mode actuator is operable in its third mode position to prevent rotation of said second ring relative to said first ring in both directions to establish a two-wheel drive mode;
and
a shift mechanism for coordinating movement of said range actuator and said mode actuator.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/721,309Filed 25 Nov 2003
Priority: 23 Apr 2001
Published: 3 Jun 2004
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification2 codes

F16D 41/086
With provision for altering the freewheeling action: the intermediate members being of circular cross-section and wedging by rolling
F16D
Couplings for transmitting rotation

Family

Application60/285,667Us provisional application · filed 23 Apr 2001
Application10/101,885Continuation · filed 19 Mar 2002
Application10/721,309Continuation · filed 25 Nov 2003
US 2002/0155914 A1Published application
US 6,652,407 B2Related patent
US 6,846,262 B2Related patent
US 2004/0106489 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.