Speed reduction assembly with full disconnect for transfer cases and the like
AssigneeBorg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
InventorDan J. Showalter
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A two speed planetary gear assembly and double disconnect mechanism for a motor vehicle transfer case or similar device achieves full decoupling of the speed reduction assembly from the power path when either neutral or the high speed gear ratio, typically direct drive, is selected. The double disconnect mechanism includes an axially slidable clutch collar freely rotatably disposed within a correspondingly movable reduction hub which may selectively be translated to engage either a direct drive member or an input to a planetary gear assembly. When the reduction hub is positioned to engage the input of the planetary gear assembly, a gear set on the carrier of the planetary gear assembly engages the reduction hub which drives it and the output member at reduced speed.
Claims20
A planetary drive assembly providing two distinct drive ratios comprising, in combination,
- a first member having gear teeth disposed thereon,
- a planetary gear assembly having a sun gear assembly freely rotatably disposed on said first member, said sun gear assembly including a first, sun gear and a second, interior gear disposed adjacent said gear teeth on said first member, a ring gear, a plurality of planet gears meshing with said first, sun gear and said ring gear and a planet carrier for rotatably receiving said planet gears, said carrier including teeth,
- a second member freely rotatably disposed about said first member and having teeth disposed adjacent said teeth on said first member, and
- a reduction hub axially slidably disposed on said second member and having first teeth complementary to said teeth on said carrier, and second teeth complementary to said teeth on said second member for rotationally engaging said second member, said reduction hub further including a clutch collar having teeth complementary to said teeth on said first member, said second, interior gear of said sun gear assembly and said teeth on said second member, said clutch collar disposed for rotation relative to and axial translation with said reduction hub.
A drive assembly providing two distinct drive ratios comprising, in combination,
- a first member having teeth disposed thereon,
- an assembly having a gear member freely rotatably disposed on said first member, said gear member including teeth disposed adjacent said teeth on said first member, a speed reducing assembly operably associated with said gear member and having an output having teeth,
- a second member freely rotatably disposed about said first member and having teeth disposed adjacent said teeth on said first member, and
- a hub axially slidably disposed on said second member and having first teeth for engaging said teeth on said output, second teeth for rotationally engaging said teeth on said second member and a collar disposed for rotation relative to and axial translation with said hub, said collar having teeth complementary to said teeth on said first member, said teeth on said gear member and said teeth on said second member.
A transfer case having a planetary assembly providing two distinct drive ratios comprising, in combination,
- an input member having gear teeth disposed thereon,
- a planetary gear assembly having a sun gear assembly freely rotatably disposed on said input member, said sun gear assembly including a first, sun gear and a second, interior gear disposed adjacent said gear teeth on said first member, a ring gear, a plurality of planet gears meshing with said first, sun gear and said ring gear and a planet carrier for rotatably receiving said planet gears, said carrier including teeth,
- an output member freely rotatably disposed about said input member and having teeth disposed adjacent said teeth on said input member, said second member including a chain drive sprocket,
- a hub axially slidably disposed on said output member and having first teeth complementary to said teeth on said carrier, second teeth complementary to said teeth on said output member for rotationally engaging said second member, said reduction hub further including a collar having teeth complementary to said teeth on said input member, said second, interior gear of said sun gear assembly and said teeth on said output member, said collar disposed for free rotation relative to and axial translation with said hub,
- a driven chain sprocket and chain disposed on said chain sprockets, and
- a differential assembly coupled to said driven chain sprocket and having a pair of outputs adapted to a pair of vehicle drive lines.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.