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US 5,345,840 AGranted
Transfer case with integrated planetary gear assembly
AssigneeNew Venture Gear, Inc.
InventorBarry L. Frost
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention relates to the arrangement of a gear reduction unit and an interaxle differential mechanism as an "integrated" planetary-type gear assembly which is adapted for use in the transfer case of a four-wheel drive motor vehicle.
Claims25
A power transfer apparatus for a four-wheel drive vehicle comprising:
- a housing;
- input means supported for rotation in said housing;
- first and second output means supported for rotation in said housing;
- and
- planetary gear means support for axial movement relative to said input means and said first and second output means for establishing different drive connections therebetween, said planetary gear means being axially moveable between a first position for establishing a full-time four-wheel drive mode wherein differentiation is permitted between said first and second output means, and a second position for establishing a part-time four-wheel drive mode wherein differentiation is inhibited between said first and second output means.
2 more elements
A power transfer apparatus for a four-wheel drive vehicle comprising:
- a housing;
- input means supported for rotation in said housing;
- first and second output means supported for rotation in said housing;
- and
- planetary gear means supported for movement relative to said input means and said first and second output means for establishing different drive connections therebetween, said planetary gear means being moveable between a first position for establishing a full-time four-wheel drive mode wherein differentiation is permitted between said first and second output means, a second position for establishing a part-time four-wheel drive mode wherein differentiation is inhibited between said first and second output means, and a third position for establishing a two-wheel drive mode wherein said input means is drivingly interconnected to only one of said first and second output means.
2 more elements
A power transfer apparatus for a motor vehicle comprising:
- a housing;
- an input member supported for rotation in said housing;
- first and second output means supported for rotation in said housing;
- planetary gear means supported for sliding movement relative to said input member and said first and second output means for establishing different drive connections therebetween, said planetary gear means being moveable between a first position wherein said input member drives both of said first and second output means at a first speed ratio while inhibiting differentiation therebetween for establishing a part-time four-wheel high-range drive mode, a second position wherein said input member drives both of said first and second output means at said first speed ratio while permitting differentiation therebetween for establishing a full-time four-wheel high-range drive mode, and a third position wherein said input member drives said first and second output means at a second speed ratio while inhibiting differentiation therebetween for establishing a part-time four-wheel low-range drive mode;
- and
- shift means for permitting said planetary gear means to be selectively uncoupled from said second output means when in said first position for establishing a two-wheel high-range drive mode.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.