Part time on-demand four-wheel drive vehicle transaxle with viscous clutch
US4601359A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 10, 1985 |
| Grant date | Jul 22, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 10, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/19088
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- 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 part time on-demand four-wheel drive system. Interaxle and front wheel bevel gear differentials 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 interaxle differential achieves front axle to rear axle differentiation while the front wheel differential provides differentiation for the front pair of road wheels. The dual differential transaxle assembly includes viscous fluid clutch means providing an automatic limited slip condition of the interaxle differential when there is a predetermined difference in speed or rpm between the front and rear pair of road wheels.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.