Patent ID: 8776950

Claim:
A transfer case arrangement for a motor vehicle having an engine, a first axle driving a pair of first wheels, and a second axle driving a pair of second wheels, the transfer case arrangement comprising: a first output shaft transmitting drive torque from the engine to the first axle for driving the first wheels; a second output shaft; a clutch operable in an engaged mode to couple the second output shaft to the first output shaft and in a disengaged mode to uncouple the second output shaft from the first output shaft; a shutdown device operable in a coupled mode to couple the second axle to the second output shaft and in an uncoupled mode to uncouple the second axle from the second output shaft; an oil conveying device operable for conveying a lubrication oil from an oil sump to a remote location in proximity to the clutch in response to rotation of the second output shaft; and a control operable to automatically shift the clutch from its disengaged mode to its engaged mode periodically while the shutdown device is in its uncoupled mode to cause rotation of the second output shaft and activate the oil conveying device for periodically conveying the lubrication oil from the oil sump to the remote location while the shutdown device is maintained in its uncoupled mode.