US 5,123,513 A · Remote-activated, power shift clutch assembly with positive locking

Abstract

A clutch assembly for automotive vehicle four-wheel drives either in association with an axle disconnect or wheel hub incorporates a power shift mechanism which can be remotely activated either when the vehicle is static, in motion and during either forward or reverse direction of movement to positively drive the clutch members into and out of engagement with one another. The power shift mechanism includes sealed envelopes in the form of expandable and contractable compartments which in response to a remote control valve will positively shift the clutch members into and out of engagement, and the members will remain in the shifted position without the continued application of force until positively shifted away from that position by the power shift mechanism. In the alternative, a spool-like shifter may be utilized with positive locking elements which will lock the clutch members in the engaged and disengaged position at the end of travel of the shift mechanism. 2

Claims16

Dependent claims

In a shift mechanism for controlling engagement and disengagement between a first rotatable drive member and a second member to be driven, the improvement comprising:

shift means including a plurality of annular non-rotatable pressure chambers arranged in juxtaposed relation to one another including chamber walls shiftable in response to changes in differential pressure between said pressure chambers;
and
shift-actuating means including means for applying pressure to each of said pressure chambers whereby to regulate the differential pressure between said chambers to reversibly shift said chamber walls toward and away from said member to be driven, said drive member following the displacement of said chamber walls into and out of engagement with said member to be driven.

In a clutch assembly for controlling engagement and disengagement between a first rotatable drive member and second member to be driven in which an axially displaceable first clutch member is connected for rotation to said first drive member and a second clutch member is connected to said second member, and shift means associated with said first clutch member including operator-controlled shift-actuating means for actuating said shift means to advance said first clutch member into and out of engagement with said second clutch member, the improvement comprising:

first releasable locking means associated with said shift means for positively locking said first clutch member in engaged relation to said second clutch member against accidental release therebetween, and second releasable locking means associated with said shift means for locking said first clutch member in disengaged relation to said second clutch member;
release means responsive to said operator means for releasing either of said first or second locking means from their locked positions as a preliminary to engagement and disengagement of said first and second clutch members;
and
said shift means including a pair of pressure chambers in juxtaposed relation to one another, said release means defined by fluid flow control means for establishing a differential pressure between said pressure chambers causing either of said first or second locking means to be released.

1 more element

first releasable locking means associated with said shift means for positively locking said first clutch member in engaged relation to said second clutch member against accidental release therebetween, and second releasable locking means associated with said shift means for locking said first clutch member in disengaged relation to said second clutch member;
release means responsive to said operator means for releasing either of said first or second locking means from their locked positions as a preliminary to engagement and disengagement of said first and second clutch member;
and
said first releasable locking means mounted externally of said shift means in the path of movement of said first clutch member, and said release means including a release member extending from said shift means into engagement with said first releasable locking means.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Remote-activated, power shift clutch assembly with positive locking

Life of this patent

Remote-activated, power shift clutch assembly with positive locking

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16