Output transfer group for mobile machine powertrain
AssigneeCaterpiller Inc.
InventorsDavid Michael Thaler, Scott Patrick Meyer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An output transfer group is disclosed for use with a mobile machine. The output transfer group may have a housing, an input yoke extending from the housing and configured to receive an input torque, a first output yoke extending from the housing and configured to provide a first output torque, and a second output yoke extending from the housing and configured to provide a second output torque. The output transfer group may also have a gear train disposed within the housing and connecting the input yoke to the first and second output yokes. The gear train may create a torque reduction between the input yoke and the first and second output yokes, and includes a lockable differential located downstream of the torque reduction.
Claims18
An output transfer group, comprising:
- a housing;
- an input yoke extending from the housing and configured to receive an input torque;
- a first output yoke extending from the housing and configured to provide a first output torque;
- a second output yoke extending from the housing and configured to provide a second output torque;
- and
- a gear train disposed within the housing and connecting the input yoke to the first and second output yokes, wherein:
- the gear train creates a torque reduction between the input yoke and the first and second output yokes;
- and
- the gear train includes a lockable differential having a hollow gear and a planetary arrangement completely nested within the hollow gear, the lockable differential located downstream of the torque reduction.
A mobile machine, comprising:
- a frame;
- a front axle rotatably supporting a front end of the frame;
- tandem rear axles rotatably supporting a rear end of the frame;
- an engine;
- a transmission connected to the engine;
- and
- an output transfer group operatively connecting the transmission to the front and tandem rear axles, the output transfer group including:
- a housing;
- an input yoke extending from the housing to connect with the transmission;
- a first output yoke extending from the housing to connect with the front axle;
- a second output yoke extending from the housing to connect with the tandem rear axles;
- and
- a gear train disposed within the housing and connecting the input yoke to the first and second output yokes, wherein:
- the gear train creates a torque reduction between the input yoke and the first and second output yokes;
- and
- the gear train includes a lockable differential having a hollow gear and a planetary arrangement completely nested within the hollow gear, located downstream of the torque reduction and configured to split the torque about 1:2 between the front axle and the tandem rear axles when the lockable differential is unlocked.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.