Patent ID: 6905436

Claim:
A power transfer assembly for use in a motor vehicle to transfer drive torque from a powertrain to first and second drivelines, comprising: an input shaft adapted to be driven by the powertrain; a first output shaft adapted for connection to the first driveline; a second output shaft adapted for connection to the second driveline; a reduction unit having an input member driven by said input shaft and an output member driving said first output shaft; a range clutch operable in a first range position to couple said input member to said first output shaft for establishing a high-range drive connection therebetween, said range clutch is operable in a second range position to couple said output member to said first output shaft for establishing a low-range drive connection therebetween, and said range clutch is operable in a third position to release said first output shaft from engagement with said input member and said output member; a range shift mechanism for moving said range clutch between its range positions in response to rotation of a driveshaft; a torque transfer mechanism for transferring drive torque from said first output shaft to said second output shaft, said torque transfer mechanism including a friction clutch operably disposed between said first and second output shafts and a clutch actuator assembly for applying a clutch engagement force on said friction clutch, said clutch actuator assembly including an electric motor driving said driveshaft, a gearset driven by said driveshaft, and a clutch apply operator having a first member driven by said gearset, a second member axially moveable between first and second mode positions for controlling the magnitude of said clutch engagement force exerted on said friction clutch, and a third member for converting rotary movement of said first member into axial movement of said second member, said third member including means for coordinating movement of said second member between its mode positions with movement of said range clutch between its range positions in response to rotation of said driveshaft; and a control system for controlling actuation of said electric motor.