New Venture Gear, Inc.

Chrysler Motors Corporation

Barry L Frost

John R Forsyth

Allen D Adam

Thomas Christopher Bowen

A transfer case having an input shaft, an output shaft, and a planetary gearset connected therebetween. The planetary gearset includes a first sun gear, a second sun gear, a carrier coupled for rotation with the input shaft, a ring gear coupled for rotation with the output shaft, and meshed pairs of first and second pinions rotatably supported on the carrier with each first pinion meshed with the first sun gear and each second pinion meshed with the second sun gear and the ring gear. The transfer case further includes a powershift clutch assembly comprised of a first range clutch located between the carrier and the ring gear, a second range clutch located between the first sun gear and a stationary member, and a third range clutch located between the second sun gear and the stationary member. Actuation of the clutches is controlled by a hydraulic control system for shifting each of the clutches between actuated and non-actuated modes to establish three different speed ratio drive connections between the input and output shafts.

Three-speed transfer case

A drive unit for use with an electric vehicle comprising a planetary gear arrangement. The planetary arrangement includes a reduction portion and a differential portion and provides a large reduction of rotational speed between the motor and the differential portion while delivering differentiated power to the drive wheels. The planetary arrangement includes, in its preferred embodiment, a first ring gear grounded to the transmission housing, a first pinion carrier having a first set of pinions, a first sun gear formed on an input shaft, a second carrier mated with a first output shaft, the second carrier having a second set of pinions, a compound ring-sun gear operatively situated between the first and second sets of pinions, and a second sun gear formed on a second output shaft, the second sun gear being operatively mated with the second set of pinions. In the preferred embodiment the first set of pinions comprises two types of pinions of different diameters and different lengths alternating arranged on the first carrier ring. The first type of pinion is relatively wide and short and the second type of pinion is relatively narrow and long. An alternate embodiment of the planetary arrangement of the present invention is provided.

Electric vehicle final drive

A two-speed differential adapted for use in motor vehicle driveline applications. The two-speed differential is capable of selectively transferring power to either a first drive mechanism for establishing a first drive speed ratio or a second drive mechanism for establishing a second drive speed ratio. The selected drive mechanism then transmits power to an output mechanism for subsequent transmission to the driving axles of the motor vehicle while permitting speed differentiation therebetween. In one aspect of the present invention, the first drive mechanism provides a 'direct drive' speed ratio and the second drive mechanism provides an 'overdrive' speed ratio. In another aspect of the present invention, the first drive mechanism provides a 'direct drive' speed ratio and the second drive mechanism provides an 'underdrive' speed ratio.

Two-speed differential

A six speed manual transmission having a double planetary gearset consisting of two simple planetary gearsets for use in a motor vehicle. The transmission includes an input shaft, a mainshaft rotatably connected by constant-mesh gearwheels to the input shaft, and an output shaft. This assembly provides two dissimilar fixed speed ratios, with a first power path using the first fixed speed ratio and a second power path using the second fixed speed ratio. The first power path includes a first sliding synchronizer clutch, a second sliding synchronizer clutch, and a first planetary gearset. The second power path includes a third sliding synchronizer clutch and a second planetary gearset. In addition, the first and second power paths share a common brake. The transmission provides a plurality of forward speeds, a braked neutral and a reverse drive. The transmission may be applied in either front wheel or rear wheel drive vehicles.

Multi-speed manual transmission with two simple planetary gearsets

A geared torque transfer device is provided having a planetary type gear arrangement disposed within a housing that is substantially filled with a viscous fluid. Rotation of the planetary gear members within the housing in response to differential input and output rotational velocity causes the viscous fluid to be pumped through passages formed within the housing. Hydraulic resistance to this pumping action resists the free rotation of the unit for causing torque to be transferred from the input to the output.

Geared traction unit

Provided is a transfer case having an integrated planetary gear assembly is operably installed between an input member and first and second output members and constructed in a compact dual-planetary arrangement having dual sun gears and dual planet gears that are journally supported from a carrier. The planetary gear assembly is axially slidable relative to the input and output members to a number of positions for establishing various drive modes. Included among the drive modes is a two-wheel with on-demand four-wheel drive high-range mode. In this arrangement, the carrier is driven by the input member, and the first output is engaged with the carrier for providing two-wheel drive output. The carrier is further coupled to the input member of a torque coupling device. The torque coupling device is operable to sense relative rotation between the first and second output members and to deliver torque to the second output member in response to a loss of traction at the first output member.

Transfer case with integrated planetary gear assembly and 'on-demand'

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 and further includes means for modifying the torque output and locking the 'integrated' planetary-type gear assembly in response to various driving conditions.

Full-time integrated planetary four-wheel drive transfer case with

A geared torque transfer device is provided having a planetary type gear arrangement disposed within a sealed housing that is filled with a viscous fluid. In operation, rotation of the planet gears within the housing in response to a speed differential between the input and output members causes the viscous fluid to be forcibly pumped through passages formed within the housing. Valves responsive to changes in the operating temperature and/or viscous fluid pressure of the geared traction unit adjust the amount of resistance to the flow of the fluid as it is pumped through the passages. The hydraulic resistance created by pumping the viscous fluid is adapted to resist the free rotation of the device, thereby causing torque to be transferred between the input and output members as a function of the differential speed therebetween.

Temperature and pressure compensated geared traction unit

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.

Transfer case with integrated planetary gear assembly

The present invention relates to the arrangement of a gear reduction unit and an interaxle diferential mechanism as an 'integrated' planetary-type gear assembly which is adapted for use in the transfer case of a four-wheel drive motor vehicle.

An improved dual-cone synchronizer apparatus having a middle cone ring concentrically disposed intermediate an outer blocker ring and an inner cone ring on a transmission shaft. The inner cone ring is formed with a plurality of longitudinally extending drive tangs projecting into an associated window formed on a flange portion of the blocker ring. Each drive tang defines a back-angled cam edge diverging outwardly at a first acute angle. Each window has a side wall disposed in spaced relation with its associated drive tang cam edge and adapted to be slidably engaged therewith upon energization of the synchronizer whereby the synchronizing torque is increased for a given input synchronizing force.

Dual-cone synchronizer with servo action

The present invention is directed to a strut-type synchronizer mechanism having a spring member adapted for retracting and centering the blocker ring. The spring member is a leaf spring disposed within guide slots formed in the clutch hub and which is compressed between the blocker ring and the strut. The leaf spring includes a cambered surface for radially outwardly biasing the strut into contact with the clutch sleeve. In addition, the leaf spring has canted tab ends which rest upon a radial projection formed on the blocker ring for producing an axial retractive force on the blocker ring for driving the blocker ring toward a 'neutral' position. The axial retractive force serves to overcome any residual viscous drag in the synchronizer mechanism created by residual friction remaining between the mating cone surfaces of the blocker ring and a ratio gear. The leaf spring further acts to retain the blocker ring in the neutral position against any viscous forces which may initiate self-energization of the synchronizer.

Strut-type synchronizer mechanism with retracting and centering strut

The present invention, in its disclosed embodiment, is a strut-type synchronizer including a hub having a tapered guide slot adapted to coact with the tapered side wall surfaces of the struts for retaining the struts therein upon axial movement of the shift sleeve. In a preferred form, the tapered profile of the guide slot includes two inwardly tapered, longitudinally extending side walls terminating in an opening of a predetermined width. The opening is sized to limit the radially outwardly directed movement of the struts when the shift sleeve is shifted axially for inhibiting dislodgement and jamming of the struts.

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Waterford, MI, United States of America

Barry L Frost