Patent ID: 9683611
Date: 2017-06-20
CPC Classifications: B60K,F16D

Claim:
1. A front axle shift mechanism configured to be operably associated with a front axle housing having a front differential and being receptive of a first lubricant, the front axle shift mechanism comprising: a clutch shaft, including a first clutch gear; an extension shaft including a second clutch gear; a clutch collar slidingly arranged on one of the first clutch gear and the second clutch gear; and a disconnect feature housing operatively coupled to the front axle housing, the disconnect feature housing including an inner cavity, and a shifting mechanism arranged within the inner cavity and operatively connected with the clutch collar, the shifting mechanism being operable to slide the clutch collar into engagement with the other of the first clutch gear and the second clutch gear to selectively connect and disconnect the clutch shaft and with the extension shaft to transmit rotational power to front wheels from a source of power in a vehicle, the shifting mechanism configured to rotatably couple to the front differential, the inner cavity being receptive of a second lubricant to facilitate providing lubrication to the first clutch gear and the second clutch gear, wherein the inner cavity of the disconnect feature is fluidically isolated from the front axle housing.