Patent ID: 6780134
Filing Date: 2004-08-24
Classification: B60K

Abstract:
A torque transfer mechanism for use in a motor vehicle having an engine and first and second sets of wheels, comprising:an input shaft driven by the engine; a first output shaft driving the first set of wheels; a second output shaft driving the second set of wheels; a transfer unit driving said second output shaft; an interaxle differential having a carrier driven by said input shaft, a first output sun gear driving said first output shaft, a second output sun pear driving said transfer unit, and meshed pairs of planet pears for transferring drive torque from said carrier to said first and second sun gears and permitting relative rotation therebetween; a clutch pack operably disposed between said first and second sun gears; an apply plate moveable relative to said clutch pack between a first position and a second position, said apply plate is operable in its first position to apply a minimum clutch engagement force on said clutch pack, and said apply plate is operable in its second position to apply a maximum clutch engagement force on said clutch pack; a clutch actuator for controlling movement of said apply plate between its first and second positions, said clutch actuator including an electric motor having an output shaft with first threads formed thereon, a leadscrew formed with second threads which are arranged in facing relation to said first threads, and balls disposed between said first and second threads, wherein rotation of said motor output shaft causes said leadscrew to axially translate for producing a linearly directed output force, said output force being exerted on said apply plate to move said apply plate between its first and second positions; and a control system for controlling actuation of said electric motor.