Gkn Driveline North America, Inc.

Vectrix Corporation

Gkn Driveline Newton, LLC

Bernd Greiss

Austin Richard Gerding

Ronald G Flanary

Bahman Haghshanas

Martin Burgbacher

Jason F Bock

Jason Bock

Martin C Piedl

Cesare Mastroianni

Austin R Gerding

A power transfer unit for transferring a torque comprising a first shaft configured to receive the torque from a first device, a second shaft configured to output the torque to a second device, and an activating assembly for selectively transferring the torque from the first shaft to the second shaft. The activating assembly includes a sliding cam, a rotating cam, an actuator configured to selectively rotate the rotating cam relative to the sliding cam, and an engaging gear. The gear is configured to be moved by the sliding cam between a first engaged position where the torque is transferred from the first shaft to the second shaft through the gear and a second disengaged position where no torque is transferred to the second shaft. Relative rotation between the rotating earn and the sliding cam moves the sliding earn thereby moving the gear between the first engaged and second disengaged position.

Power transfer unit

A power transfer unit comprising a first shaft configured to receive an input torque from a first vehicle component, a second shaft configured to selectively receive the torque from the first shaft and transmit the torque to a second vehicle component, an engaging mechanism, a housing configured to enclose at least a portion of the power transfer unit, and a seal system having a first seal and a second seal. The engaging mechanism configured to operate in a first mode and a second mode. When in the first mode, the engaging mechanism selectively couples the second shaft to the first shaft, and when in the second mode, the second shaft is decoupled from the first shaft. The first seal is disposed between the housing and a first end of the second shaft, and the second seal is disposed between the housing and a second end of the second shaft.

A drive train system comprising a power transfer unit configured to selectively transfer power from a front driveshaft of a vehicle by providing an output torque through a ring gear, wherein the power transfer unit includes an input shaft that receives torque from a first device, and a first clutch configured to selectively couple the input shaft to the ring gear when activated; a cardan shaft in rotational communication with the ring gear and configured to transfer the output torque; and a rear drive unit coupled to the cardan shaft and configured to selectively transfer the output torque received from the cardan shaft to a rear driveshaft of the vehicle, wherein the rear drive unit includes a torque shaft that is driven by the output torque received from the cardan shaft, and a second clutch that is configured to selectively transfer the output torque from the torque shaft to the rear driveshaft when activated.

Drive train for a motor vehicle

A vehicle drive assembly with a drivable wheel pivotably connected to a body, about an axis substantially transverse to the body, by first and second swing arms. One of the swing arms houses a motor and includes a heat dissipating member in thermally conductive association with the motor. The heat dissipating member preferably a plurality of cooling fins exposed to ambient air. The motor is housed in an end of the first swing arm opposite the body, and has a shaft that is directly engaged to a transmission within the wheel. The transmission is contained within a gearbox housing that rotates with the wheel and is formed by left and right structural gearbox halves. A wheel rim, configured to carry a tire, is attachable only to the first gearbox half, and can slide over the second half when removed from the gearbox housing, allowing the transmission to remain assembled. The interior of the gearbox housing contains a lubricant, and a vent is formed generally parallel to the motor shaft and extending through the first swing arm. Preferably, the second swing arm is detachable from the transmission while remaining substantially stationary in a direction substantially coaxial with the axle. Also, the transmission preferably includes a planetary gear reduction unit, in which planetary gears are mounted on a gear carrier that is configured to prevent rotation caused by the motor.

Vehicle drive wheel assembly

Growing community of inventors

Oakland Township, MI, United States of America

Bernd Greiss