New Venture Gear, Inc.

Chrysler Motors Corporation

Chrysler Corporation

Richard E Eastman

Sankar K Mohan

David Brown

Nancy Mintonye

David Sperduti

Robert J Wilson

Randolph C Williams

Randy W Adler

Richard A Bakowski

Joseph A Winks

Anand M Jagani

S K Varma

Peter H Weismann

Dugald Cameron

Alan P Zajac

Sanjeev K Varma

Stewart J Woodcock

Christopher W Phelan

Michael S Tianello, Sr

Ronald J Mayville

Michael D Coppola

Neville K Divecha

A full-time power transfer system is disclosed to include a transfer case having a clutch assembly arranged to control speed differentiation and torque biasing across an interaxle differential, sensors for detecting and generating sensor signals indicative of various dynamic and operational characteristics of the vehicle, and a controller for controlling actuation of the clutch assembly in response to the sensor signals. Upon the occurrence of traction loss, the clutch assembly is automatically actuated for limiting interaxle slip while transferring increased drive torque to the non-slipping driveline. Under a preferred adaptive control scheme, the actuated condition of the clutch assembly is controllably modulated between its non-actuated and fully-actuated limits for automatically varying the magnitude of speed differentiation and torque biasing across the interaxle differential in response to changes in the dynamic and operational characteristics of the vehicle.

Synchronized two-speed transfer case with lockable limited slip differential

On-demand transfer case with synchronized range shift and adaptive clutch control

A power transfer system includes a transfer case having a clutch assembly arranged across an interaxle differential, a hydraulic clutch actuation system operable to control actuation of the clutch assembly, sensors for detecting various dynamic and operational characteristics of the vehicle, and a controller for controlling the hydraulic clutch actuation system in response to the sensor signals. Upon the occurrence of traction loss, the clutch assembly is automatically actuated for limiting interaxle slip while transferring increased drive torque to the non-slipping driveline. The actuated condition of the clutch assembly is modulated between its non-actuated and fully-actuated limits for automatically varying the magnitude of speed differentiation and torque biasing across the interaxle differential in response to changes in the operational characteristics of the motor vehicle. The transfer case is also equipped with a gearset and a hydraulically-actuated range shift mechanism for permitting on-the-move shifting between high-range and low-range drive modes.

Transfer case with hydraulic range shift and adaptive clutch control

A power transfer system for a motor vehicle is disclosed to include a transfer case having a clutch assembly arranged to control speed differentiation and torque biasing across an interaxle differential, a hydraulic clutch actuation system operable to control actuation of the clutch assembly, sensors for detecting and generating sensor signals indicative of various dynamic and operational characteristics of the vehicle, and a controller for controlling the hydraulic clutch actuation system in response to the sensor signals. Upon the occurrence of traction loss, the clutch assembly is automatically actuated for limiting interaxle slip while transferring increased drive torque to the non-slipping driveline. Under a preferred control scheme, the actuated condition of the clutch assembly is controllably modulated between its non-actuated and fully-actuated limits for automatically varying the magnitude of speed differentiation and torque biasing across the interaxle differential in response to changes in the operational characteristics of the motor vehicle. As a further feature of the present invention, the transfer case can be equipped with a gearset and a hydraulically-actuated range shift mechanism for permitting on-the-move shifting between high-range and low-range drive modes.

Transfer case with synchronized range shift and adaptive clutch control

A transfer case for a four-wheel drive vehicle having a planetary gear assembly and a synchronized range clutch which can be selectively shifted on-the-move for establishing four-wheel high-range and low-range drive modes.

Synchronized range shift mechanism for transfer case

A power transfer system including a variable speed electric motor and a single speed transmission is disclosed for transferring power from a source of power to a pair of driven wheels. This arrangement is particularly adapted for use in electric vehicles incorporating a high speed electric motor. In a preferred embodiment, the single speed transmission includes a housing, an input shaft for receiving drive torque from the electric motor, at least one output shaft and an intermediate shaft supported for rotation of the housing between the input shaft and the output shaft. The single speed transmission further includes a parking sprag arrangement for preventing rotation of the output shaft when a park mode is selected. In one embodiment, the single speed transmission further includes a transfer mechanism for selectively transmitting the source of drive torque from the input shaft to the output shaft which includes a shift member movable between a first position for preventing relative rotation between the input shaft and the output shaft and a second position for establishing relative rotation between the input shaft and output shaft.

Single speed transmission for an electric motor vehicle

A power transfer system is disclosed for a full-time four-wheel drive vehicle. The power transfer system includes a layshaft gear reduction unit that is operable for establishing high-range and low-range speed ratios, and a synchronized range shift mechanism that is adapted to permit the vehicle operator to shift on-the-fly for establishing full-time high-range and low-range four-wheel drive modes. The power transfer system includes an slip limiting/torque-biasing arrangement including an interaxle differential and a transfer clutch operable for controlling the magnitude of speed differentiation and torque biasing across the interaxle differential.

Full-time transfer case with synchronized range shift mechanism and

The present invention provides a power transfer system for a four-wheel drive vehicle which permits the vehicle operator to choose between operation in two-wheel drive and part-time four-wheel drive modes or an 'on-demand' four-wheel drive mode. The power transfer system is operable for disabling the on-demand four-wheel drive feature upon the vehicle operator subsequently shifting into any of the two-wheel drive and part-time four-wheel drive modes.

Power transfer system for a four-wheel drive vehicle

A synchronized shift arrangement is disclosed for shifting a planetary-type gear reduction assembly from a low-range operating mode to a high-range operating mode. This arrangement is particularly adapted for use in vehicular power transfer devices, such as four-wheel drive transfer cases, for allowing the vehicle operator to shift 'on-the-fly' from a four-wheel low-range drive mode to a four-wheel high-range drive mode without the need of stopping the motor vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the power transfer apparatus includes a housing, a first member supported for rotation in the housing, a second member supported in the housing for rotation relative to the first member, a planetary gear assembly coupled to the first member for rotatably driving an output member thereof at a reduced ratio relative to the first member, and a clutch sleeve supported for rotation with the second member and which is movable between a first position for coupling the second member to the output member of the planetary gear assembly for rotatably driving the second member at the reduced ratio, and a second position for coupling the second member for rotation with the first member. The power transfer apparatus further includes a synchronizer for causing speed synchronization between the first and second members in response to movement of the clutch sleeve from the first position to said second position.

Range shift arrangement for four-wheel drive vehicles

The present invention is directed to an improved 'on-demand' power transfer system of the type having a transfer mechanism incorporated into the driveline of a four-wheel drive vehicle. The transfer mechanism is arranged to deliver drive torque to the driven wheels so as to establish a two-wheel drive mode of operation. In addition, the transfer mechanism is equipped with a clutch assembly for selectively delivering drive torque to the non-driven wheels for establishing a four-wheel drive mode of operation. The transfer mechanism is further equipped with a linear actuator mechanism for actuating the clutch assembly. The linear actuator mechanism is preferably mounted directly to the transfer mechanism to substantially minimize the packaging requirements associated with the on-demand power transfer system while concomitantly enhancing in-service reliability and allowing pre-assembly of the transfer mechanism prior to final installation into the vehicle driveline. The power transfer system further includes sensors for detecting various dynamic and operational characteristics of the vehicle and generating sensor input signals indicative thereof, and a controller for controlling actuation of the linear actuator means in response to the sensor input signals.

Linear actuation mechanism for electronically-controlled torque

The present invention provides a power transfer system for a four-wheel drive vehicle which permits the vehicle operator to choose between operation in conventional two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive modes or an 'on-demand' four-wheel drive mode. The power transfer system is operable for disabling the on-demand four-wheel drive feature upon the vehicle operator subsequently shifting into either of the two-wheel drive and the four-wheel drive modes. The system includes a transfer mechanism having a first and second output members coupled to first and second sets of wheels, respectively. The transfer mechanism has a transfer clutch that is operable for transferring drive torque from the first output member to the second output member to establish the part-time four-wheel drive and on-demand modes. A coupling mechanism is provided for mechanically coupling the first and second output members under certain conditions.

Two-speed transfer case with electronic torque modulation

The present invention is directed to an improved 'on-demand' power transfer system of the type having a transfer mechanism incorporated into the driveline of a four-wheel drive vehicle. The transfer mechanism is arranged to deliver drive torque to the driven wheels so as to establish a two-wheel drive mode of operation. In addition, the transfer mechanism is equipped with a clutch assembly for selectively delivering drive torque to the non-driven wheels for establishing a four-wheel drive mode of operation. The transfer mechanism is further equipped with a rotary actuator mechanism for actuating the clutch assembly. The rotary actuator mechanism is preferably mounted directly to the transfer mechanism to substantially minimize the packaging requirements associated with the on-demand power transfer system while concomitantly enhancing in-service reliability and allowing pre-assembly of the transfer mechanism prior to final installation into the vehicle driveline. The power transfer system further includes sensors for detecting various dynamic and operational characteristics of the vehicle and generating sensor input signals indicative thereof, and a controller for controlling actuation of the rotary actuator means in response to the sensor input signals.

Rotary actuation mechanism for torque modulated transfer case

A power transmission device for converting a four wheel drive vehicle is disclosed. The device utilizes the existing highway gear ratios available on standard front wheel drive vehicles. By incorporating an additional gear ratio for both the front and rear wheels, the lower gear ratios desired by off-road users are provided.

Growing community of inventors

Central Square, NY, United States of America

Richard E Eastman