Patent · US Expired

Constant four wheel drive vehicle transaxle

US4582160A · kind A · utility

17Cited by
3References
2Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 20, 1985
Grant dateApr 15, 1986
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 20, 2005

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60K17/346
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A dual bevel gear differential transaxle assembly for a front transverse engine vehicle with front and rear pairs of road wheels providing a constant four wheel drive system. A first interaxle bevel gear differential and a second front wheel bevel gear differential are aligned on a transverse axis. The differentials are connected by a side gear shaft and inner and outer side gear sleeves concentric about the side gear shaft. The first differential achieves front axle to rear axle differentiation while the second differential provides differentiation for the front pair of road wheels. The dual differential transaxle assembly includes clutch means providing selective lock-out of the first differential. With the clutch means disengaged the first differential is in its unlocked mode whereby the transaxle assembly provides differentiation between the front and rear axles. Upon the clutch means being manually engaged the first differential is locked-up and there is no differentiation between the front and rear axles.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.