Patent ID: 7004875
Filing Date: 2006-02-28
Classification: B60K,F16D

Abstract:
1. A power transfer device for use in a motor vehicle having a powertrain and first and second drivelines, comprising: an input driven by the powertrain; a first output interconnecting said input to the first driveline; a second output connected to the second driveline; a bi-directional overrunning mode clutch operably disposed between said first and second outputs, said mode clutch is operable in a first mode to permit relative rotation between said first and second outputs in a first direction and prevent relative rotation therebetween in a second direction, said mode clutch is operable in a second mode to prevent relative rotation between said first and second outputs in both directions, and said mode clutch is operable in a third mode to permit relative rotation between said first and second output in both directions, said mode clutch including a first ring driven by one of said first and second outputs, a second ring operably disposed between said first ring and the other of said first and second outputs, rollers engaging a cam surface formed between said first and second rings, an actuator ring and a drag band operable for exerting a frictional drag force on said actuator ring, said second ring having an actuation slot defining first and second end surfaces and is adapted to index circumferentially relative to said first ring to cause said rollers to engage said cam surface for coupling said second ring to said first ring and said other of said first and second outputs, said actuator ring having a lug retained in said actuation slot, said actuator ring is operable in its first actuator position to permit bi-directional circumferential movement of said lug from a central position disengaged from both of said first and second end surfaces of said actuation slot into engagement with one of said first and second end surfaces, and said actuator ring is operable in its second actuator position to locate said lug in engagement with both of said first and second end surfaces of said actuator slot so as to maintain said lug in its central position, and wherein said actuator ring is normally maintained in its first actuator position by a biasing device; a mode shift mechanism operable in a first mode position to shift said mode clutch into its first mode, in a second mode position to shift said mode clutch into its second mode, and in a third mode position to shift said mode clutch into its third mode; and a shift system for moving said mode shift mechanism to its first mode position to establish an on-demand four-wheel drive mode, to its second mode position to establish a locked four-wheel drive mode, and to its third mode position to establish a two-wheel drive mode.