Quick disconnect for a drive unit

摘要

A drive unit disconnect mechanism is operable to transmit or disconnect power from a vehicle power source to a driven unit, and can be disengaged by multiple methods depending on how much force is required to separate the internal components of the mechanism. In a first, relatively quicker method, a handle is pulled axially away from the hub to withdraw and internal gear from splined engagement with a corresponding driven gear. In a second, relatively slower method, the handle is rotated to threadably withdraw the entire disconnect mechanism from the hub, which in turn withdraws the internal gear from splined engagement with the driven gear. The quicker method is desirable in most instances, but the slower method allows disconnection of the driven unit from the vehicle power source when gear pressure prevents or impedes the quicker method.

主权项

1. A disconnect mechanism having an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration, the mechanism comprising:
a hub attachable to a driven unit, said hub having an inward side and an opposing, user-accessible outward side, said hub having a threaded bore extending from said inward side to said outward side; an outer shaft having a bore extending axially therethrough, said outer shaft defining a threaded engagement with said bore of said hub to axially move said outer shaft between an outer-shaft seated position in which said outer shaft is relatively inwardly disposed with respect to said hub, and an outer-shaft withdrawn position in which said outer shaft is relatively outwardly disposed with respect to said hub; an inner shaft received within said outer shaft, said inner shaft axially movable with respect to said outer shaft between an inner-shaft seated position in which said inner shaft is relatively inwardly disposed with respect to said outer shaft, and an inner-shaft withdrawn position in which said inner shaft is relatively outwardly disposed with respect to said outer shaft; and a coupling gear axially fixed to said inner shaft, said coupling gear defining:
an engaged position corresponding to the engaged configuration of the disconnect mechanism, said coupling gear in said engaged position when said outer shaft is in said outer-shaft seated position and said inner shaft is in said inner-shaft seated position, anda disengaged position corresponding to the disengaged configuration of the disconnect mechanism, said coupling gear in said disengaged position when said outer shaft is in said outer-shaft withdrawn position or said inner shaft is in said inner-shaft withdrawn position.