Integrated cam and shift fork assembly
US6173624A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 23, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jan 16, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 23, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/20183
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An integrated cam and shift fork assembly is disposed on a rotating shift rail. The shift fork assembly includes a cylindrical body having a helical cam at one end. Adjacent the cam end of the body is a cam follower secured to the rotating shift rail. The opposite end of the body either includes a second cam and suitably disposed cam follower or a flat surface engaged by a return spring. The rotating shift rail is driven by an electric motor through a suitable speed reducing and torque increasing drive such as a worm gear set. One or both of the aforementioned cam configurations may be utilized in a transfer case on a single shift rail to, for example, select a high or low speed range, couple the primary and secondary drive lines together or both.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.