The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 17, 1999
Filed:
Feb. 24, 1997
Wesley M Dick, Fort Wayne, IN (US);
Dana Corporation, Toledo, OH (US);
Abstract
A bi-directional one-way clutch which permits relative overrun or differentiation between a first torque transmitting shaft and a second torque transmitting shaft up to a predetermined level and, if the amount of relative overrun or differentiation between the first torque transmitting shaft and the second torque transmitting shaft this predetermined level, locks the first torque transmitting shaft and the second torque transmitting shaft together such that the first torque transmitting shaft and the second torque transmitting shaft rotate at substantially the same rotational speed. This bi-directional one-way clutch is particularly useful for use in an 'on demand' four-wheel drive system having a front wheel drive transaxle assembly where the bi-directional one-way clutch acts an a torque transmitting device which allows relative overrun of differentiation between the front wheels and the rear wheels up to a predetermined level and, if the amount of relative overrun or differentiation between the front wheels and the rear wheels exceeds this predetermined level, locks the front wheels and the rear wheels together such that the front wheels and the rear wheels rotate at substantially the same rotational speed. The bi-directional one-way clutch preferably includes a first torque transmitting shaft which is coupled to the transmission of transaxle assembly such that the first torque transmitting shaft is rotatably driven by the transmission of transaxle assembly and transmits torque to the front axle and a second torque transmitting shaft which is rotatably coupled to the rear axle.