Patent ID: 6022289
Filing Date: 2000-02-08
Classification: B60K,F16H

Abstract:
A transfer case for use in a four-wheel drive vehicle having a power source and first and second drivelines comprising:a housing;an input shaft rotatably supported by said housing and driven by the power source;a first output shaft rotatably supported by said housing and connected to the first driveline;a second output shaft rotatably supported by said housing and connected to the second driveline;a planetary gear assembly having a sun gear fixed for rotation with said input shaft, a ring gear having external splines, and a planet carrier fixed for rotation with said second output shaft, said planet carrier rotatably supporting planet gears that are meshed with said sun gear and said ring gear;a first clutch plate fixed for rotation with said second output shaft;a second clutch plate fixed to said housing;a range sleeve having internal splines meshed with said external splines of said ring gear such that said range sleeve is coupled for rotation with said ring gear and is axially movable thereon between a first range position and a second range position, said range sleeve is operable in said first range position to couple said ring gear for common rotation with said first clutch plate to establish a high-range drive mode, and said range sleeve is operable in said second range position to couple said ring gear to said second clutch plate to establish a low-range drive mode;a shift system for moving said range sleeve between said first and second range positions to establish one of said high-range and low-range drive modes; anda transfer mechanism for transferring drive torque from said second output shaft to said first output shaft.