US 2015/0027245 A1 · TRANSMISSION HAVING SELECTABLE POWER TRANSFER SHAFT

Abstract

A vehicle powertrain includes a transaxle configured to drive front wheels and a power take-off unit configured to drive rear wheels through a driveshaft. The power take-off unit includes a disconnect clutch such that the power flow path to the rear wheels can be disconnected to reduce fuel consumption and reconnected when needed for traction enhancement. Although the disconnect clutch is physically located within the power take-off unit, it is actuated by fluid from the transaxle valve body. The disconnect clutch actuator includes a piston that slides within a chamber in a housing and a solenoid controlled valve that fluidly connects the chamber either to a pressure source or to the transaxle sump.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A vehicle comprising:

a transmission configured to transmit power from an engine to an output shaft, the transmission having a transmission housing configured to contain a first fluid, the transmission having a valve body configured to adjust a ratio of a speed of the engine to a speed of the output shaft by distributing the first fluid at varying pressures to control elements;
a power take-off unit (PTU) mounted to the transmission, the PTU having a PTU housing configured to contain a second fluid, the PTU having a disconnect clutch configured to selectively establish a speed ratio between the output shaft and a driveshaft;
and
an auxiliary actuator configured to actuate the disconnect clutch using the first fluid.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

14/326,577Filed 9 Jul 2014

Priority

29 Jul 2013

Published

29 Jan 2015

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

B60K 25/06
Auxiliary drives: from the transmission power take-off
B60K 17/02
Arrangement or mounting of transmissions in vehicles: characterised by arrangement, location, or kind of clutch
B60K 17/34
Arrangement or mounting of transmissions in vehicles: for driving both front and rear wheels, e.g. four wheel drive vehicles
B60K 17/344
For driving both front and rear wheels, e.g. four wheel drive vehicles: having a transfer gear

Transmission having selectable power transfer shaft

Life of this patent

Transmission having selectable power transfer shaft

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16