TRANSFER CASE WITH STATIONARY LOW RANGE PLANETARY

摘要

A transfer case includes an input shaft, first and second output shafts and a planetary gearset having a sun gear, a ring gear and a pinion gear meshingly engaged with the sun and ring gears. A range actuator includes first, second and third range sleeves abutted in series being axially translatable between a first position to provide a drive connection between the input shaft and the first output shaft, a second position providing a direct drive ratio connection between the input shaft and the first output shaft as well as the input shaft and a second output shaft, and a third position to provide a reduced speed drive ratio connection between the input shaft and the first output shaft as well as the input shaft and the second output shaft. The gears of the planetary gearset are not driven when the range sleeves are at the first and second positions.

主权项

1. A transfer case comprising:
an input shaft; a first output shaft; a second output shaft; a transfer mechanism drivingly connected to said second output shaft; a planetary gearset including a sun gear, a non-rotary ring gear, a carrier, and pinion gears rotatably supported by said carrier and in constant meshed engagement with said sun gear and said ring gear; and
a range actuator moveable between three distinct positions to establish three distinct drive connections between said input shaft and said first and second output shafts, said range actuator being operable in a first position to drivingly interconnect said first output shaft to said input shaft for establishing a two-wheel high-range drive connection, said range actuator being operable in a second position to drivingly interconnect said first output shaft and said transfer mechanism to said input shaft for establishing a four-wheel high-range drive connection, and said range actuator being operable in a third position to drivingly interconnect said sun gear to said input shaft and to drivingly interconnect said first output shaft and said transfer mechanism to said carrier for establishing a four-wheel low-range drive connection, wherein said planetary gearset is not driven when said range actuator is located in its first and second positions.