Full-time four-wheel drive transmission
US5904632A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 4, 1998 |
| Grant date | May 18, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 4, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60K17/3515
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A transmission for a four-wheel drive vehicle having a multi-speed geartrain and power transfer mechanism incorporated into a common housing assembly. The multi-speed geartrain includes a input shaft, a mainshaft, and a plurality of constant-mesh gearsets arranged for selectively coupling the mainshaft to the input shaft for driven rotation at various speed ratios. The mainshaft can be selectively coupled to the power transfer mechanism for establishing two alternative power transmission routes. In particular, a synchronized range shift mechanism is provided for establishing a high-range transmission route and a low-range transmission route from the mainshaft to the input of an interaxle differential. The torque delivered to the interaxle differential is split between the front and rear drivelines to establish a full-time four-wheel drive mode. As an option, a lock-out clutch can be provided for permitting the interaxle differential to be locked for establishing a locked four-wheel drive mode. As a further option, a mode clutch can be provided for permitting one of the drivelines to be selectively disconnected from the transmission for establishing a two-wheel drive mode.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.