Connect-disconnect apparatus for a vehicle drivetrain

摘要

A connect-disconnect assembly for a vehicle drivetrain configured to drive a vehicle with a surface engaging traction member. The connect-disconnect assembly includes a coupler located within a final drive element or gear of a final drive assembly wherein in a first position the coupler does not span a gap between the gear and a transmission drive element of a transmission. In a second position, the coupler does span the gap between the gear and the transmission drive element such that the gear and the transmission drive element are connected. The final drive assembly includes an access port to provide access to a user accessible drive actuator to move the coupler between the first and second positions.

主权项

1. A vehicle drivetrain configured to drive a vehicle with a surface engaging traction member, the drivetrain comprising:
a transmission including a transmission coupler; a final drive assembly configured to drive the surface engaging traction member, the final drive assembly including a drive element spaced from the transmission coupler to define a gap between the drive element and the transmission coupler; and a coupling device located at least partly within the drive element and coupled thereto, wherein the coupling device in a first position does not span the gap such that the drive element and the transmission coupler are not connected by the coupling device and in a second position extends from the drive element to the transmission coupler a distance sufficient to span the gap to thereby operatively connect the drive element to the transmission coupler; wherein, the coupling device includes a coupling shaft having a dimension sufficient to span the gap and a drive actuator operatively coupled to the coupling shaft, wherein the drive actuator is configured to move the coupling shaft along a longitudinal axis of the coupling device a distance sufficient to span the gap and to engage the transmission coupler to the drive element; further wherein, the drive actuator includes a linear actuator member operatively coupled to the coupling shaft and to the drive element, wherein the linear actuator member is configured to move the coupling shaft along the longitudinal axis and remains at a fixed location along the longitudinal axis during movement of the linear actuator member.