Active transfer case with splash recovery clutch lubrication system

摘要

An active transfer case is disclosed having a multi-plate friction clutch installed on the front output shaft. A splash recovery clutch lubrication system is provided to capture lubricant splashed from the sump in response to rotation of the friction clutch and transfer the captured lubricant to a central clutch feed chamber to cool and lubricate the components of the friction clutch.

主权项

1. A transfer case for use in a four-wheel drive motor vehicle having a powertrain and first and second drivelines, the transfer case comprising:
a housing defining a sump area filled with a lubricant; a first shaft rotatably supported by said housing and configured to transfer drive torque from the powertrain to the first driveline; a second shaft rotatably supported by said housing in close proximity to said sump area and configured for connection to the second driveline; a transfer mechanism having a first transfer component drivingly coupled to said first shaft and a second transfer component driven by said first transfer component, said second transfer component being rotatably mounted on said second shaft; a multi-plate friction clutch assembly surrounding said second shaft and including a first clutch member drivingly coupled to said second transfer component, a second clutch member drivingly coupled to said second shaft, and a clutch pack of interleaved first and second clutch plates drivingly coupled to corresponding one of said first and second clutch members; a power-operated clutch actuator operable for moving an apply member relative to said clutch pack so as to control the magnitude of a clutch engagement force exerted thereon and concurrently control the amount of drive torque transferred from said first shaft through said transfer mechanism and said friction clutch assembly to said second shaft; and a splash recovery clutch lubrication system for capturing lubricant splashed in response to rotation of at least one of said second transfer component and said first clutch member and feeding said captured lubricant to a clutch feed chamber that is in fluid communication with said clutch pack, said splash recovery clutch lubrication system including an oil catcher reservoir configured to capture splashed lubricant and retain said captured lubricant in an oil catcher cavity, an oil feed reservoir having an oil feed cavity communicating with said oil catcher cavity and an oil feed passage, an oil conduit having a web segment with a flow channel communicating with said oil feed passage and a tubular segment surrounding said second shaft and defining an annular chamber communicating with said flow channel, and a flow control device operable to controllably regulate flow of said lubricant from said annular chamber into said clutch feed chamber.