Power transfer system with continuously variable torque transfer mechanism
OwnerRichard Mizoninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A power transfer system includes an input shaft that is rotatably driven by a power source, a first output shaft that is coupled to the input shaft and that drives a first driveline and a second output shaft that drives a second driveline. A torque transfer mechanism selectively couples the first output shaft and the second output shaft. The torque transfer mechanism includes a first pulley selectively coupled to the first output shaft, a second pulley coupled to the second output shaft and a drive linkage that transfers drive torque between the first pulley and the second pulley. A first operating radius of the first pulley is varied to vary torque transfer between the first output shaft and the second output shaft.
Claims16
A power transfer system, comprising:
- an input shaft that is rotatably driven by a power source;
- a first output shaft that is coupled to said input shaft and that drives a first driveline;
- a second output shaft that drives a second driveline;
- and
- a torque transfer mechanism that selectively couples said first output shaft and said second output shaft, said torque transfer mechanism comprising:
- a first pulley selectively coupled to said first output shaft;
- a second pulley coupled to said second output shaft;
- and
- a drive linkage that transfers drive torque between said first pulley and said second pulley, wherein a first operating radius of said first pulley is varied to vary torque transfer between said first output shaft and said second output shaft.
A transfer case that is driven by a power source and that transfers drive torque to first and second drivelines based on vehicle operating conditions, comprising:
- an actuator that is controlled based on said vehicle operating conditions;
- and
- a first output shaft that is driven by said power source and that drives said first driveline;
- a second output shaft that drives said second driveline;
- and
- a torque transfer mechanism that selectively couples said first output shaft and said second output shaft, said torque transfer mechanism comprising:
- a first pulley selectively coupled to said first output shaft;
- a second pulley coupled to said second output shaft;
- and
- a drive linkage that transfers drive torque between said first pulley and said second pulley, wherein said actuator varies a first operating radius of said first pulley to regulate torque transfer between said first output shaft and said second output shaft.
The transfer case of claim wherein said actuator imparts a linear force on said second pulley half to regulate linear movement of said second pulley half.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.