Automatic clutch for four-wheel drive vehicles

Details Automatic clutch for four-wheel drive vehicles Automatic clutch for four-wheel drive vehicles

1980-08-25

1983-01-25

Krizmanich, George H.

192 clutches and power-stop control

Clutches

Automatic

192 54, 192 93A, F16D 1304

Patent

active

043698689

ABSTRACT:
The disclosure relates to an automatic four-wheel drive clutch characterized by a sliding gear subassembly having a toothed ring, a cam ring with concave toothed cans opposing the latter, and springs biasing them apart. The toothed ring is movable along the axle into meshed engagement with an opposed ring of teeth carried by a driven element that turns with the front steerable wheel. A first biasing element normally urges the sliding gear subassembly into disengaged position while a subassembly including a set of toothed rollers mounted for rotation within an annular gap left between a pair of concentric sleeve bearings mesh with a ring of teeth on a thrust plate defining a circular track for the rollers to run around while traveling along the cams. A brake element in frictional contact with thrust plate and a second biasing means urging the brake element against the thrust plate cooperate when the axle turns to prevent rotation of the thrust plate thus forcing the rollers to climb the cams and extend the sliding gear subassembly into engaged position. The second biasing means also functions with the axle turning and the cams at the end of their cam surfaces to permit the elements so interengaged to turn as a unit with the wheel while sliding over the friction elements. The second biasing element further functions with the axle disengaged to cooperate with the first biasing means to hold the thrust plate stationary while the wheel is rotated in the direction opposite that in which the axle last turned while engaged thus turning the bearing assembly and driving the rollers into the bottom of the cams where the first biasing means becomes effective to retract and disengage the sliding gear subassembly.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3217847 (1965-11-01), Petrak
patent: 4227599 (1980-10-01), Ishiwata et al.
patent: 4238014 (1980-12-01), Petrak
patent: 4262785 (1981-04-01), Anderson et al.
patent: 4269294 (1981-05-01), Kelbel
patent: 4287972 (1981-09-01), Petrak

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Automatic clutch for four-wheel drive vehicles does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Automatic clutch for four-wheel drive vehicles, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Automatic clutch for four-wheel drive vehicles will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1620285