192 clutches and power-stop control – Clutches – Axially engaging
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-23
2001-10-02
Marmor, Charles A (Department: 3681)
192 clutches and power-stop control
Clutches
Axially engaging
C192S085060, C192S083000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06296097
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a hydraulically actuated axle disconnect and is more particularly directed to an axle disconnect utilizing a vehicle's existing oil pump to provide pressurized lubricating oil as an actuating fluid, and integral with the engine oil pan.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is known to provide a part time four wheel drive vehicle that includes an axle disconnect mechanism in a front axle assembly. Such axle disconnect mechanisms include a vacuum motor and a shift fork assembly. The vacuum motor communicates with a vacuum source that is controlled by a two position solenoid valve. The fork shift assembly under control of the vacuum motor controls the axial shifting of a clutch collar between positions corresponding to coupled and uncoupled operating modes.
This conventional system has the drawback of an externally mounted vacuum motor that requires considerable extra space particularly when vehicle suspension travel is taken into account. The use of an externally mounted vacuum motor also necessitates the use of a fork shift assembly which adds to the cost and complexity of the prior art arrangement exemplified by this system.
It is also known that a part time four wheel drive vehicle may include an axle disconnect in the front axle assembly, wherein the axle disconnect is operated by a power shift mechanism. The power shift mechanism includes sealed envelopes in the form of expandable and contractible compartments that shift the axle disconnect into and out of engagement in response to a remote control valve. The sealed envelopes are offset from the axle housing. The shiftable drive gear couples and uncouples inner and outer drive shafts.
This power shift mechanism requires two sealed envelopes and numerous other parts operatively connecting the sealed envelopes with the shiftable drive gear. Moreover, such prior art axle disconnect systems do not provide a modular arrangement necessary for easy of manufacture, assembly and repair. Consequently these prior art arrangements are also complex and expensive to produce particularly when the difficulty of assembly is taken into account.
The need therefore exists for an axle disconnect arrangement and design that is simple in design, compact in construction and economical to package and manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an axle disconnect that improves upon the related art.
The present invention is directed to an axle disconnect assembly for a vehicle having an input shaft and a coaxially arranged output shaft. A collar is splined to one of the shafts and is slidable to selectively engage the other shaft to establish a positive driving connection between the input and output shafts. A movable piston engages the collar to selectively position the collar. A valve is in communication with the vehicle's existing oil pump and is controlled to selectively supply pressurized oil to opposite sides of the piston to selectively displace the piston thereby selectively controlling the position of the collar and the connection between the shafts.
These and other features of the present invention will become more apparent with reference to the following drawings and description associated therewith.
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Hunt William Gordon
Redding Thomas Lee
Liniak Berenato Longacre & White
Marmor Charles A
Rodriguez Saul
Spicer Technologies, Inc.
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