Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090032354 | TORQUE TRANSFER DEVICE WITH TORQUE LIMITING MECHANISM - An overrunning torque transmitting device that employs a plurality of cone clutches and an overload mechanism for limiting the torque transmitted through the device in a predetermined rotational direction. A method for transmitting torque is also provided. | 02-05-2009 |
20090088285 | FOUR PINION DIFFERENTIAL WITH CROSS PIN RETENTION UNIT AND RELATED METHOD - A differential having four pinions supported for rotation on cross pins within a differential case. The differential employs a retainer system for securing the cross pins relative to the differential case. The retainer system can include a collar and a plurality of pin members. | 04-02-2009 |
20090093333 | AXLE ASSEMBLY WITH ELECTRO-HYDRAULIC CLUTCH CONTROL SYSTEM - An axle assembly for a vehicle. The axle assembly includes an input shaft, a first and second output shaft, and a differential assembly. The axle assembly also includes a clutch assembly with an input member coupled to the differential assembly, an output member coupled to one of the first output shaft and the second output shaft, and a clutch member that selectively couples the input and output members. The axle assembly also includes a pump that supplies pressurized fluid to the clutch to control coupling of the input and output members. The axle assembly further includes a motor that drives the pump. The speed of the motor is controllable in order to change a fluid pressure supplied by the pump. The change in fluid pressure from the pump actuates the clutch member to thereby vary the torque between the first output shaft and the second output shaft. | 04-09-2009 |
20090176587 | Propshaft With Constant Velocity Joint Attachment - A propeller shaft assembly includes a substantially cylindrical hollow propeller shaft, a stub shaft and a constant velocity joint having inner race and an outer race drivingly interconnected by a plurality of balls. The stub shaft has a first end fixed to the propeller shaft and a second end drivingly coupled to the inner race. The second end includes a portion positioned adjacent to the inner race that defines an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter defined by the interface between the inner race and the plurality of balls. | 07-09-2009 |
20100038164 | MOTOR VEHICLE WITH DISCONNECTABLE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM - A vehicle with primary and secondary drivelines and a power take-off unit (PTU). The primary driveline has a first differential that is configured to distribute power to a first set of wheels. The PTU has a PTU input, a PTU output and a synchronizer for selectively de-coupling the PTU output from the PTU input. The secondary driveline is configured to distribute power to a second set of wheels and has a propshaft, a second differential, a pair of half-shafts and at least one torque transfer device (TTD). The propshaft transmits rotary power between the PTU output and an input of the second differential. The half-shafts are rotatably coupled to an output of the second differential and are configured to transmit rotary power to the second set of wheels. The at least one TTD is configured to selectively inhibit torque transmission through the second differential to the second set of wheels. | 02-18-2010 |
20100144480 | Drive axle assembly with gear mesh lubrication systems for lubricating gear mesh and/or differential bearings - An axle assembly having an axle assembly with first and second sumps for holding a lubricant. A rotating ring gear associated with a differential can rotate through the lubricant in the first sump to cause a portion of the lubricant to cling to the ring gear. A portion of the lubricant that has clung to the ring gear can be removed from the ring gear and transferred to the second sump. The lubricant in the second sump can be drained to lubricate teeth of a pinion that is in meshing engagement with the ring gear and/or to lubricate bearings that support the pinion. A related method is also provided. | 06-10-2010 |
20110152028 | FOUR PINION DIFFERENTIAL WITH CROSS PIN RETENTION UNIT AND RELATED METHOD - A differential having four pinions supported for rotation on cross pins within a differential case. The differential employs a retainer system for securing the cross pins relative to the differential case. The retainer system can include a collar and a plurality of pin members. | 06-23-2011 |
20120238394 | DISCONNECTING REAR DRIVE AXLE FOR LONGITUDINALLY ARRANGED POWERTRAINS - A powertrain with a disconnecting rear drive axle generally includes a prime mover including an output that rotates about a rotational axis. A transmission includes an output that rotates about a rotational axis. The rotational axes of the outputs are substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the powertrain. A front driveline is operable to direct rotary power from the prime mover to front vehicle wheels. A rear driveline includes a propeller shaft that provides rotary power to a first shaft member and a second shaft member through a pinion and a ring gear. The first shaft member and the second shaft are operable to connect to rear vehicle wheels. A power switching mechanism has an engaged condition and a disengaged condition. The power switching mechanism is operable to direct the rotary power from the transmission to the rear driveline in the engaged condition. A torque transfer device has an engaged condition and a disengaged condition. The power switching mechanism and the torque transfer device in the disengaged condition are operable to only transmit rotary power to the first vehicle wheels. The torque transfer device in the disengaged condition prevents the first shaft member and the second shaft member from back-driving the ring gear and the pinion of the rear driveline. The power switching mechanism in the disengaged condition prevents the transmission from driving the propeller shaft. | 09-20-2012 |
20130303323 | POWER TRANSMITTING COMPONENT - A power transmitting component with a housing, a shaft and a seal. The housing has a wall member, a shaft bore, and a shield wall. The shaft bore is formed through the wall member. The shield wall is coupled to and extends outwardly from the wall member. The shield wall is formed about the shaft bore and defines a drain spout. The shaft is received through the shaft bore. The seal is received in the shaft bore and sealingly engages the housing and the shaft. The drain spout is configured to drain liquid from a space that is radially inward of the shield wall when the power transmitting component is disposed in a predetermined orientation. | 11-14-2013 |
20130303324 | TWO-SPEED DISCONNECTING DRIVELINE WITH ONE REDUCTION GEARSET - A vehicle driveline that includes an input member, a multi-speed transmission, a first differential assembly, a first bevel ring gear and a mode clutch that are disposed axially along a rotational axis of the input member. The multi-speed transmission includes a range collar that is axially movable along the input member axis. | 11-14-2013 |
20130310209 | DISCONNECTABLE DRIVELINE FOR ALL-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE - A disconnectable driveline arrangement for an all-wheel drive vehicle includes a power take-off unit having a disconnect mechanism, and a drive module having a torque transfer device and a limited slip clutch assembly. | 11-21-2013 |
20130333493 | MOTOR VEHICLE WITH DISCONNECTABLE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM - A vehicle with a primary driveline that is configured to distribute rotary power to a first set of vehicle wheels and a power transmitting device that can be selectively operated to transmit rotary power to a secondary driveline. The power transmitting device has an input member, which is driven by the primary driveline, and an output member that is selectively coupled to the input member to receive rotary power therefrom. The secondary driveline comprises a differential, a pair of shafts, and a side shaft coupling that selectively interrupts power transmission between the differential and one of the shafts. | 12-19-2013 |
20130337960 | DISCONNECTABLE DRIVELINE WITH A MULTI-SPEED RDM AND PTU - A disconnectable all-wheel drive system for motor vehicles having a multi-speed power take-off unit and a multi-speed rear drive module. | 12-19-2013 |
20140080655 | DISCONNECTABLE DRIVELINE FOR ALL-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE - A disconnectable driveline arrangement for an all-wheel drive vehicle includes a power take-off unit having a disconnect mechanism, and a drive module having a torque transfer device and a limited slip clutch assembly. | 03-20-2014 |
20140144259 | TWO POSITION ACTUATOR WITH SENSING AND CONTROL - An actuator that causes a mode clutch to shift between an engaged position and a disengaged position is provided. The actuator comprises a motor having an output. A shift cam is caused to rotate based on the output of the motor. The shift cam has a cam profile surface. A cam follower rides along the cam profile surface upon rotation of the shift cam. Movement of the cam follower causes movement of a mode fork resulting in the mode clutch shifting between the engaged and disengaged positions. A sensor outputs a voltage to a controller based on a physical location of the cam follower. The controller activates the motor based on the voltage. | 05-29-2014 |
20140213406 | DISCONNECTABLE DRIVELINE FOR ALL-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE - A rear drive module for an all-wheel drive vehicle. The rear drive module includes a disconnect clutch, a differential assembly and a hollow shaft. The disconnect clutch has a first clutch member, which is coupled to the spool for rotation therewith, and a second clutch member. The differential assembly includes a differential case. The hollow shaft is coupled to the differential case for rotation therewith and is configured to transmit rotary power in a power path between the disconnect clutch and the differential assembly. | 07-31-2014 |
20140251081 | HOUSING ASSEMBLY - An assembly that includes a tube mount, a tube, a first fillet weld, and a second fillet weld. The tube mount has a tubular side wall, a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart notches formed on a first end of the tubular side wall, and a securing aperture formed through the tubular side wall. The notches form a plurality of teeth. The tube is received into the tube mount. The first fillet weld couples the tube to the tube mount. The first fillet weld is formed about a perimeter the first end such that each of the first welds is formed substantially completely over the entirety of the teeth. The second fillet weld couples the tube to the tube mount. The second fillet weld is formed about a perimeter of the securing aperture such that the second fillet weld is formed substantially completely over an inside perimeter of the securing aperture. | 09-11-2014 |
20140274528 | TWO-SPEED DRIVE MODULE - A drive module that includes an electric motor and a multi-speed transmission assembly having a two-speed planetary transmission stage. The multi-speed transmission assembly outputs rotary power to a differential assembly. | 09-18-2014 |
20140274541 | Axle Assembly Having An Angular Contact Bearing That Supports A Ring Gear For Rotation On An Axle Housing - An axle assembly that includes a housing, an input pinion, a ring gear, an angular contact bearing, and a differential assembly. The input pinion has a plurality of pinion teeth and is received in the housing for rotation about a first axis. The ring gear, which is received in the housing, is a bevel gear having ring gear teeth that define a pitch angle and are meshingly engaged with the pinion teeth. The angular contact bearing supports the ring gear for rotation on the housing about a second axis that is transverse to the first axis. The angular contact bearing has a first race, which is integrally formed into the ring gear, a second race, and a plurality of bearing balls disposed between the first and second races. The differential assembly has a differential case that is mounted to the ring gear for rotation therewith. | 09-18-2014 |
20140274544 | Axle Assembly - An axle assembly having an input pinion with a pinion gear, which is received in an axle housing and rotatable about a first axis, and a pinion shaft. The pinion gear is meshed with a ring gear that is coupled to a differential assembly. A head bearing, which is disposed on a first axial end of the input pinion, supports the input pinion for rotation relative to the housing about the first axis. A tail bearing supports the input pinion for rotation relative to the housing about the first axis. The pinion gear is disposed axially between the tail bearing and the head bearing. A bearing groove is formed into the pinion shaft and the bearing elements are received into the bearing groove such that an inner bearing race of the tail bearing is unitarily and integrally formed with the pinion shaft. | 09-18-2014 |
20140302961 | Axle Assembly - An axle assembly having an axle housing, an input pinion, a ring gear, a ring gear bearing, a differential assembly and a pair of axle shafts. The input pinion is mounted to the axle housing for rotation about a first axis. The ring gear is received in the axle housing and meshed with the input pinion. The ring gear bearing supports the ring gear on the axle housing for rotation about a second axis. The ring gear bearing has a bearing race, which is integrally formed with the ring gear, and a plurality of first bearing element that contact the first bearing race. The differential assembly has a differential case, which is coupled to the ring gear for rotation therewith, and a pair of output members. Each axle shaft being coupled for rotation with a corresponding one of the output members. | 10-09-2014 |
20140339888 | Axle Assembly With Inboard Axle Shaft Bearings That Support A Differential Mechanism - An axle assembly having a housing, a ring gear received in the housing, a ring gear bearing, a pair of shafts, a differential mechanism and a pair of inboard bearings. The ring gear bearing contacts the housing and the ring gear to support the ring gear for rotation about an axis. The shafts are received in the housing and rotate about the axis. Each of the shafts has a bearing mount and a male splined segment. The differential mechanism has a pair of output members, each of which having a splined internal aperture into which the male splined segment of one of the shafts is slidably received. Each shaft bearing is disposed on the bearing mount of one of the axle shafts and supports the shafts for rotation on the housing. The differential mechanism is supported for rotation about the axis by the ring gear bearing and the inboard bearings. | 11-20-2014 |
20140342866 | Disconnecting Axle Assembly - An axle assembly having an axle housing assembly having a carrier housing and first and second end caps that are mounted to the carrier housing. The first end cap cooperates with the carrier housing to define a differential cavity for receipt of a differential assembly, while the second end cap cooperates with the carrier housing to define a clutch cavity for receipt of a clutch. A spindle drivingly couples a first output of the differential with an input of the clutch member. A first output member is coupled for rotation with a second output of the differential and a second output member is coupled for rotation with an output of the clutch. The spindle is received through a tubular portion of carrier housing. | 11-20-2014 |
20150053027 | POWER TRANSMITTING COMPONENT WITH TWIN-FORK ACTUATOR - A power transmitting component having a actuator with a lead screw, which is driven by a motor and a transmission, a pusher assembly driven by the lead screw, and first and second clutch forks. Translation of the pusher coordinates movement of the first and second clutch forks along respective axes. | 02-26-2015 |
20150057123 | OPTIMIZED OUTER CLUTCH HOUSING FOR REDUCED SPIN LOSS, IMPROVED OIL FLOW AND IMPROVED CLUTCH DURABILITY - A torque transfer device can include a housing and a clutch. The housing can define a clutch cavity and a pocket. The pocket can be formed at an axial end of the clutch cavity and have a generally arcuate shape that extends circumferentially about the clutch cavity above a static lubrication level. The clutch can include an outer carrier, an inner carrier, a plurality of first and second interleaved friction plates. One of an outer and an inner plate carrier of the clutch can be coupled to an input member for common rotation. The other of the carriers can be coupled to a differential case for common rotation. Rotation of the outer carrier relative to the housing through a fluid in the clutch cavity can sling a portion of the fluid toward an inner surface of the housing to cause the portion of the fluid to collect in the pocket. | 02-26-2015 |
20150057125 | POWER TRANSMITTING COMPONENT WITH TORQUE TRANSFER DEVICE CONFIGURED WITH DRAG REDUCTION SYSTEM - The present teachings provide for a power transmitting component including a housing, a clutch, a vent, and a dam. The vent can fluidly couple a first and second cavity. The dam can include a door member. Rotation of the outer carrier through a fluid in the second cavity can sling a portion of the fluid toward the vent to cause the portion of the fluid to be transferred from the second cavity, through the vent, and to the first cavity. When the piston is in a first position, the door member can be in a closed position to limit fluid flow from the first cavity to the second cavity. When the piston is in a second position, the door member can be in an open position to allow fluid to flow from the first cavity to the second cavity. | 02-26-2015 |