Abstract:
A transfer case (12, 90, 130), which may be used to distribute the torque selectively between the primary and secondary driving wheels (2, 4) of an automotive vehicle (A, B), includes an input element (30, 104, 132) and two output elements (32, 34; 106, 108; 132, 134) located along a common axis (X). It also includes a magnetic particle clutch (38, 102, 138) and a planetary gear set (36, 100, 140) which are both organized by about the same axis. The clutch and planetary set are connected together such that they provide a direct path through which torque is transferred from the input element to one of the output elements without slippage. The arrangement further provides a slip path through which torque is transferred from the input element to the other output element with slippage, and this path has two segments, one through the planetary set and the other through the clutch and planetary set. The clutch path accommodates slippage and the proportion of torque transferred through the slip path depends solely on the electric current conducted through the clutch.
Abstract:
An inter-axle differential assembly (10) comprises an input shaft (14), an output shaft (30) arranged coaxially with respect to each other, a differential gearing and a dedicated reversible lubrication pump (50) disposed between the input and output shafts. The reversible gerotor type lubrication pump (50) includes a rotor (52) driven by the input shaft (14), and an impeller (52), both disposed within a pump body (56) coupled to a side gear drivingly connected to the output shaft (30). Thus, the lubrication pump (50) generates lubricant flow only during the differential action between the input shaft and the output shaft, i.e., when needed. An oil flow generated by the lubrication pump (50) is supplied to various components of the inter-axle differential gearing through a gallery of fluid passages.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an all-wheel distributor gearbox (1) for a motor vehicle comprising a planetary gear train as a multiplication step (2) for a switchable off-road gear mode and a planetary gear train (3) with variable division for a distributing a drive torque onto a front axle and a rear axle. The all-wheel distributor gearbox (1) also comprises an adjustable lock (4) for locking between the front axle and the rear axle, the lock (4) and the multiplication step (2) being controlled via a controllable drive device (5). The drive device comprises a drive shaft (6) and two output shafts (7, 8), the first output shaft (7) cooperating with the multiplication step (2) and the second output shaft (8) cooperating with the lock (4). Torque introduced via the drive shaft (6) can be applied onto the first or the second output shafts (7 or 8) according to control of the shift unit (10) for actuating the lock (4) or the multiplication step (2).
Abstract:
A torque-biasing system (10) includes a torque-biasing device (12) and a control unit (14) for use in a motor vehicle. The torque-biasing system is preferably installed in a vehicle having a first front wheel (18) with a first rotational speed and second wheel (20) with a rear rotational speed and an engine (22) with a torque output. The control unit (14) functions to determined when and how to bias the torque output of the front and rear wheels, and to control the torque-biasing device (12) based on this determination.
Abstract:
A transmission system for a four wheel drive vehicle includes an input shaft (2) connected to a differential mechanism (4, 6, 10), which has two output shafts (12, 20), which are connected, in use, to respective pairs of driven wheels of the vehicle. The two output shafts carry first and second coaxially mounted sun wheels (S1, S2, respectively), of an epicyclic gear system which mesh with first and second sets of planet wheels (P1, P2, respectively), the epicyclic gear system including a third sun wheel (S3), which is mounted coaxially with the first and second sun wheels and is in mesh with a third set of planet wheels (P3). The gear ratios of the three meshing sun wheels and sets of planet wheels are different. Each first planet wheel (P1) is connected to respective second and third planet wheels (P2, P3) to rotate therewith about a respective common planet shaft, the planet shafts being connected to a common carrier (24) which is rotatably mounted coaxially with the three sun wheels. The carrier is connected to one side of a first clutch (28), the other side of which is connected to a fixes structure. The third sun wheel is connected to one side of a second clutch (34), the other side of which is connected to a fixed structure. The transmission system also includes at least one sensor (38) arranged to produce a signal indicative of an operating parameters of the vehicle or its engine and a controller (36) connected to the sensor and to the two clutches and arranged to operate the clutches in response to the said signal.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a power divider for motor vehicles comprising an off-road speed gear. Said power divider comprises a housing (1), an input shaft (2), a first output shaft (3) coaxial to said input shaft, a second output shaft (4), a reduction unit (5), a coupling unit (6) and a displacement drive (7). The aim of the invention is to provide a power divider that runs smoothly, is loss-free and compact and can be synchronized. To this end, the reduction unit (5) consists of a central drive gear wheel (11) that is mounted on a first hollow shaft (12), a central internal geared wheel (13) comprising a second hollow shaft (14), and first and second intermediate geared wheels (15, 16) comprising an axle that is stationarily mounted in the housing. The first intermediate geared wheel (15) meshes with the central drive gear wheel (11), the second intermediate geared wheel (16) with the central internal geared wheel (13) and the first and second intermediate geared wheels (15, 16) with each other. The reduction unit further comprises an output shaft (17). The coupling unit (6) consists of primary elements (21, 24) mounted on the input shaft (2) and on the second hollow shaft (14), secondary elements (22, 23) mounted on the output shaft (17) and on the first hollow shaft (12), and a first control sleeve (25) and a second control sleeve (26) for shifting between the on-road and the off-road speed gear.
Abstract:
A power transfer device for a motor vehicle having a modular housing assembly (10) which supports a geartrain (30). A first embodiment of the modular housing assembly (10) includes a case (14) having unitary sidewall (16) with terminal edges defining two opposed openings. The sidewall (16) also defines an interior chamber and the openings are enclosed by a pair of cover plates (22, 24). Pillow blocks (56, 56a) are used to support the drive components of the geartrain (30) within the chamber and are secured to shelves (58, 58a) which extend from the sidewall (16). Loads created during operation are transmitted from the geartrain (30) to the sidewall (16). The cover plates (22, 24) are secured to the terminal edges of the sidewall (16) using a plurality of U-shaped spring clamps (26).
Abstract:
A motor vehicle power train includes an engine (26) mounted longitudinally near the front of the vehicle and a transmission assembly (35) mounted intermediate front and rear differentials (17, 18). The transmission assembly is connected to the engine through an input propshaft (31), to the front differential through a front propshaft (37) and to the rear differential through a rear propshaft (38). The transmission assembly comprises a change speed transmission (28) which receives drive from the input propshaft and a hollow output shaft (49), a transfer transmission comprising a centre differential (30) which is drivably connected to the hollow output shaft, has a front differential output shaft (54) for transmitting drive to the front propshaft and a rear differential output shaft (56) for transmitting drive to the rear propshaft, one of the differential output shafts (54) extending coaxially through the hollow output shaft. The transmission assembly also comprises an auxiliary output transmission (39) in the drive from the front differential output shaft to the front propshaft, the transmission assembly being arranged so that front and rear rotary outputs (37B, 38B) to the front and rear propshafts are axially offset from a rotary input (33) from the input propshaft, the front rotary output by an amount greater than that of the rear rotary output. The change speed transmission is conveniently adapted from a known automatic transmission for front wheel drive vehicles and can be connected using an input transmission (34).
Abstract:
A vehicle such as a tractor having front and rear drive axles with crown wheel and pinions (10 and 11) driven from a prime mover (E) via an inter-axle differential (12). The rear drive axle has left and right hand brakes (40) and the inter-axle differential has a lock (22, 23, 24) for locking-up the differential. The lock is biased to an engaged condition by a spring (25) and an hydraulic actuator (27). A control system (CS) is provided which is arranged to engage the lock (22, 23, 24) when both rear axle brakes (40) are applied.
Abstract:
A rear drive unit (RDU) for a vehicle includes a shift collar, a sleeve disposed around the shift collar, a planetary gear set, a differential including a side gear, and a locking plate configured to engage the side gear. The sleeve is configured to move the shift collar between a first position and a second position. The planetary gear set includes a sun gear and at least one planetary gear engaged with the sun gear. The sun gear is configured to engage the shift collar in the second position. The at least one planetary gear includes a pin extending through an entire length of the at least one planetary gear. The shift collar is configured to exert a force upon the locking plate via the pin to move the locking plate into engagement with the side gear in a third position.