Lubrication system for endless element of transfer case
US6582331B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 4, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jun 24, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 4, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16H57/05
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A lubrication arrangement for an endless chain in a transfer case of four-wheel drive vehicles comprising a casing, an input shaft, a first output shaft drivingly connected thereto, a second output shaft spaced from the input shaft, and the endless chain selectively transmitting torque from the first output shaft to the second output shaft. The casing includes a lubricant reservoir and a torque transfer compartment housing the endless chain. The input shaft is rotatably mounted within the casing and extends into the lubricant reservoir. An oil pump is arranged within the lubricant reservoir for supplying the lubricant under pressure to the endless chain. The excess amount of the lubricant is returned back to the lubricant reservoir through a lubricant return port formed in the casing. The lubrication arrangement allows retaining only a minimum necessary amount of lubricant in the chain compartment, thus preventing the oil churning and aeration.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.