Patent ID: 7231848
Filing Date: 2007-06-19
Classification: B60K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A single offset transfer case adapted for connecting a transmission output shaft to front and rear drivelines of a motor vehicle, the single offset transfer case comprising: a housing having a first side and a second side opposite the first side; a shaft member having an input portion, a first output portion and a second output portion, the input portion being adapted to be coupled to the transmission output shaft, the first output portion being adapted to be coupled to the rear drive line and outputting rotary power through the second side of the housing to drive the rear driveline, the second output portion being disposed between the input portion and the first output portion, the second output portion providing a rotary output that is distinct from the rotary power output by the first output portion, the rotary output from the second output portion being adapted to drive the front driveline; a first bearing set supporting the shaft member for rotation about a first rotational axis, the first bearing set having a first bearing and a second bearing, the first bearing being coupled to the first side of the housing and supporting the input portion, the second bearing being coupled to the second side of the housing and supporting the first output portion; an output shaft that is disposed in the housing and rotatable about a second rotational axis, the output shaft being adapted to be coupled to the front driveline, the second rotational axis being disposed in a first common plane with the first rotational axis; a torque clutch having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being coupled for rotation with the second output portion of the shaft member, the second portion being supported for rotation about the shaft member; an intermediate shaft rotatably disposed in the housing along a third rotational axis that is located between the first rotational axis and the second rotational axis, the third rotational axis being disposed in a second common plane with the first rotational axis, the third rotational axis being disposed in a third common plane with the second rotational axis, each of the first, second and third common planes being different from one another; a first chain that transmits rotary power from the second portion of the clutch to the intermediate shaft; and a second chain that transmits rotary power from the intermediate shaft to the output shaft.