Dana Corporation

Ralph W Baxter, Jr

Robert Leeper

David C Reuter

An electromagnetically controlled bi-directional one-way clutch apparatus which permits relative overrun or differentiation between a front torque transmitting shaft and a rear torque transmitting shaft up to a predetermined level and, if the amount of relative overrun or differentiation between the front torque transmitting shaft and the rear torque transmitting shaft exceeds this predetermined level, locks the front torque transmitting shaft and the rear torque transmitting shaft together such that the front torque transmitting shaft and the rear torque transmitting shaft rotate at substantially the same rotational speed. This electromagnetically controlled bi-directional one-way clutch apparatus is particularly useful for use in an 'on demand' four-wheel drive system for a motor vehicle having an engine and a front wheel drive transaxle assembly where the electromagnetically controlled bi-directional one-way clutch apparatus acts as a torque transmitting device which allows relative overrun or differentiation between the front wheels and the rear wheels of the motor vehicle up to a predetermined level and, if the amount of relative overrun or differentiation between the front wheels and the rear wheels of the motor vehicle exceeds this predetermined level, locks the front wheels and the rear wheels of the motor vehicle together such that the front wheels and the rear wheels of the motor vehicle rotates at substantially the same rotational speed.

Electromagnetically controlled bi-directional one-way clutch apparatus

A multi-speed offset transfer case for a four (4) wheel drive motor vehicle having a plural stage torque transfer and speed changing mechanism which provides four (4) or more output speeds for each input speed. A modified planetary gear assembly forms the first stage and provides selectively either speed reduction or an output speed which is equal to the input speed. This planetary gear assembly receives torque from an input shaft and includes a sun gear in driven engagement with the input shaft, a planetary gear carrier which supports a plurality of planet gears and a ring gear. The planetary gear carrier includes an output sleeve, which is preferably an integral part of the planetary gear carrier. An actuator for the planetary gear assembly includes a first shift collar which is capable of grounding the ring gear so that it will not rotate, thereby causing the planetary gear carrier to be driven at a lower angular speed than the input shaft, and a second shift collar which locks the planetary gear carrier to the ring gear so that both rotate at the same angular speed as the input shaft. The second stage includes two (2) or more chain drives which are engaged alternately, providing two (2) or more output speeds for each input speed. This makes it possible to obtain four (4) or more output speeds ranging from a deep reduction to overdrive.

Multi-speed offset transfer case

A friction plate synchronizer/brake apparatus for use in a drivetrain subassembly such as a four-wheel drive transfer case. The apparatus provides a relatively small and lightweight apparatus that may be used to facilitate transfer case range shift operations by smoothly eliminating residual rotation of the transfer case input shaft caused by torque converter drag. Elimination of the torque converter drag allows the transfer case output drive shaft to be coupled to the transfer case input shaft or to the associated planetary gear assembly without excessive noise, vibration, or wear on the transfer case components. The apparatus also provides a relatively small and lightweight apparatus to be used in a four-wheel drive transfer case to facilitate smooth 'on the fly' shifting between two-wheel and four-wheel drive modes of operation. The apparatus synchronizes the rotational speeds of a transfer case drive shaft and the four-wheel drive sprocket mounted about the drive shaft, allowing the direct engagement of these components without excessive noise, vibration and wear on the associated components.

Transfer case friction plate synchronizer

The invention provides an automatic powershifting vehicle transfer case comprising a housing supporting a rotatably driven input shaft, a first output shaft rotatably coupled to one of the front or rear axles of a vehicle, and a second output shaft rotatably coupled to the other of the front or rear axles. A first planetary gear set has a first high speed range operating position, where torque from the input shaft is transferred to one or both of the front or rear axles of the vehicle with no speed reduction from planetary operation. The first planetary gear set includes a sun gear connected to rotate with the input shaft, a ring gear, and pinion gears supported in a carrier, with the planetary gear set being drivingly coupled to at least one of the output shafts. A first clutch associated with the first planetary gear set provides a predetermined output drive ratio to one or both of the output shafts. A second planetary differential gear set is associated with the first output shaft and has second clutch associated therewith to control torque transfer to the second output shaft in four-wheel drive modes of operation. The rotational speed of the first and second output shafts can be monitored, and the second clutch can be actuated to selectively lock the second planetary differential if there is a predetermined difference in rotational speeds between the first and second output shafts. Operation of the clutch is automatically effected such that torque received at the input shaft is selectively transferred to drive the first and second output shafts in a predetermined manner. Four-wheel drive modes are provided by a front output clutch assembly which selectively transfer torque to the front output shaft.

Automatic powershifting transfer case for a vehicle

A transfer case for a vehicle having a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels and capable of all-wheel or two wheel drive has an input shaft connected to a carrier of a planetary gear differential having a ring gear connected to a first output shaft for driving a first pair of wheels and a sun gear connected to a second output shaft for driving a second pair of wheels. A clutch is provided on the planetary gear differential for selectively locking the first and second output shafts together for concurrent rotation when the planetary gear differential clutch is engaged, thereby providing all-wheel drive. A brake is provided for selectively preventing the second output shaft from rotating so that when the second output shaft brake is applied and the planetary gear differential clutch is disengaged, the first output shaft will rotate at an overdrive gear ratio relative to the rotational speed of the input shaft, thereby providing two-wheel drive at an overdrive gear ratio. Particularly, this overdrive ratio is in the range from about 0.3:1 to about 1.0:1.

All wheel drive transfer case having two wheel overdrive

A locking limited slip planetary differential for the transfer case of an all-wheel drive vehicle. First and second coaxially juxtaposed sun gears are mounted to first and second output shafts, respectively, for rotation therewith. A plurality of first planet gears are rotatably mounted on a carrier, each of which meshes with the first sun gear. A plurality of second planet gears is also rotatably mounted on the carrier. Each of the second planet gears meshes with the second sun gear and with an associated one of the first planet gears. A hydraulically actuated clutch pack is provided for selectively connecting the carrier to the first sun gear to limit relative rotation between the first output shaft and the second output shaft. The clutch pack is actuated by a swash plate pump mechanism provided on the first and second sun gears which supplies hydraulic fluid to the clutch pack when the first and second sun gears rotate relative to one another.

Locking limited slip planetary transfer case

The present invention relates to a vehicle four wheel drive torque transfer case having a friction clutch which is selectively engaged when it is desired to place the transfer case in a four wheel drive operating mode. The transfer case includes an input shaft which is connected to supply torque to a rear output shaft. A multi-disc friction clutch is connected between the input shaft and a front output shaft for supplying torque to the front output shaft. A planetary gear assembly includes a sun gear, a carrier a planet carrier connected to the input shaft, and a ring gear coupled to drive the front output shaft. The multi-disc clutch is interposed between the sun gear and the ring gear and is engaged to inhibit any rotation of the planet carrier relative to the ring gear and thereby transfer torque to the front output shaft. The planetary gear assembly functions as a .sctn.'torque multipler' and this reduces the torque capacity requirements for the clutch.

Growing community of inventors

Fort Wayne, IN, United States of America

Ralph W Baxter, Jr