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US 6,712,729 B2Granted
Three-speed transfer case
AssigneeNew Venture Gear, Inc.
InventorsCarl Stephens, Thomas Noble
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A three-speed transfer case for providing a direct drive connection between the input shaft and the output shafts, a low-range drive connection and an ultra low-range drive connection. The ability to choose between the distinct speed ratio drive connections permits the vehicle operator to best match the road conditions or off-road terrain to the tractive requirements of the motor vehicle.
Claims29
A transfer case comprising:
- an input shaft;
- first and second output shafts;
- a reduction unit driven by said input shaft and having a reduction output member driven at a reduced speed relative to said input shaft;
- a differential assembly having a differential input member, a first differential output member driving said first output shaft, a second differential output member, and a gearset permitting speed differentiation between said first and second output shafts;
- a first clutch operable in a first state to couple said differential input member to said input shaft and in a second state to couple said differential input member to said reduction output member;
- a second clutch operable in a first state to establish a first drive ratio between said differential input member and said first differential output member and in a second state to establish a second drive ratio therebetween;
- and
- a third clutch operable in a first state to couple said second output shaft to said first and second differential output members and in a second state to couple said second output shaft to said first differential output member.
5 more elements
A transfer case comprising:
- an input shaft;
- first and second output shafts;
- a reduction unit driven by said input shaft and having an output member driven at a reduced speed relative to said input shaft;
- a planetary gearset including a first sun gear, a second sun gear, a ring gear, a carrier driving said first output shaft, a set of first pinions rotatably supported by said carrier and meshed with said ring gear and said first sun gear, and a set of second pinions rotatably supported by said carrier and meshed with said second sun gear and said first pinions;
- a first clutch operable in a first state to couple said ring gear to said input shaft and in a second state to couple said ring gear to said output member;
- a second clutch operable in a first state to permit rotation of said first sun gear and in a second state to couple said first sun gear to a stationary member;
- and
- a third clutch operable in a first state to couple said second output shaft to said second sun gear, in a second state to couple said second output shaft to said second sun gear and said carrier, and in a third state to couple said second output shaft to said carrier.
5 more elements
A transfer case comprising:
- an input shaft;
- first and second output shafts;
- a reduction unit driven by said input shaft and having a reduction output member driven at a reduced speed relative to said input shaft;
- a differential assembly having a differential input member, a first differential output member driving said first output shaft, a second differential output member, and a gearset permitting speed differentiation between said first and second output shafts;
- a transfer mechanism driving said second output shaft;
- a first clutch operable in a first state to couple said differential input member to said input shaft and in a second state to couple said differential input member to said reduction output member;
- a second clutch operable in a first state to establish a first drive ratio between said differential input member and said first differential output member and in a second state to establish a second drive ratio therebetween;
- and
- a third clutch operable in a first state to couple said transfer mechanism to said second differential output member, in a second state to couple said transfer mechanism to said first and second differential output members, and in a third state to couple said transfer mechanism to said first differential output member.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.