Multi Ratio Drive
OwnerMichael L. Valeshinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multi ratio drive operably connected to a drive shaft including a pinion gear rotatable by the drive shaft; a main shaft; a fixed ring gear fixed to the main shaft and engaged with the pinion gear; a differential shaft; a first drive chain having a first gear ratio; a second drive chain having a second gear ratio; a differential operably connected to the differential shaft; a first axle operably connected to the differential; and a second axle operably connected to the differential. A first slip clutch locks the first main shaft ring gear on the main shaft when the first drive chain is in the first drive chain engaged state; and the first slip clutch is operable to lock the first main shaft ring gear on the main shaft regardless of direction of main shaft rotation.
Claims9
A multi ratio drive operably connected to a drive shaft, the multi ratio drive comprising:
- a pinion gear rotatable by the drive shaft;
- a main shaft;
- a fixed ring gear fixed to the main shaft and engaged with the pinion gear;
- a differential shaft;
- a first drive chain having a first main shaft ring gear lockable to the main shaft and a first differential shaft ring gear fixed to the differential shaft and engaged with the first main shaft ring gear, the first drive chain having a first gear ratio;
- a second drive chain having a second main shaft ring gear lockable to the main shaft and a second differential shaft ring gear fixed to the differential shaft and engaged with the second main shaft ring gear, the second drive chain having a second gear ratio;
- a differential operably connected to the differential shaft;
- a first axle operably connected to the differential;
- and
- a second axle operably connected to the differential;
- wherein the first drive chain operably connects the drive shaft to the first axle and the second axle at a first gear ratio when the first main shaft ring gear is locked to the main shaft and the second main shaft ring gear is not locked to the main shaft;
- and the second drive chain operably connects the drive shaft to the first axle and the second axle at a second gear ratio when the second main shaft ring gear is locked to the main shaft and the first main shaft ring gear is not locked to the main shaft;
- wherein a first slip clutch locks the first main shaft ring gear on the main shaft when the first drive chain is in the first drive chain engaged state;
- and
- wherein the first slip clutch is operable to lock the first main shaft ring gear on the main shaft regardless of direction of main shaft rotation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.