Lubrication in a transfer case without a mechanical pump

摘要

A transfer case is provided with a primary shaft which is selectively engagable with a secondary shaft via a clutch mechanism. The clutch mechanism is inclusive of a friction pack. A hub of the clutch mechanism is connected on the primary shaft and the clutch housing is torsionally fixed with a primary sprocket rotatively mounted on the primary shaft. A reservoir system is provided for delivering splashed oil axially along the primary shaft overlapping the friction pack. The reservoir system has a collective fluid receptacle that is connected via a stationary passage with a lubrication passage radially inward of the friction pack of the hub.

主权项

1. A vehicle transfer case comprising:
a housing; a primary shaft rotatably mounted within said housing; a secondary shaft selectively driven by said primary shaft, said secondary shaft being rotatably mounted by said housing; a hub torsionally fixed with said primary shaft; a clutch housing selectively torsionally connected with said hub via a friction pack, said clutch housing having a series of holes to allow radial escape of lubricant; an engagement wheel torsionally fixed with respect to said clutch housing and torsionally connected with said secondary shaft via a flexible torsional force member; a friction pack engager to cause said clutch housing to be selectively connected with said hub; and a reservoir system fixed with respect to said housing for capturing splashed lubricant energized by result of operation of said flexible torsional force member and of said clutch housing, said reservoir system having a portion adjacent to said engagement wheel and said reservoir system channeling said lubricant in an axial direction overlapping said friction pack and delivering the lubricant to a collective fluid receptacle, and said reservoir system having a stationary passage formed in said housing for transporting lubricant from said reservoir system to said primary shaft radially inward of said friction pack.