摘要 |
A disconnect mechanism for a drive unit (e.g., a wheel drive unit or an integrated drive unit) including a wheel carrying hub rotatably attached to a frame and a reciprocal input shaft operable to selectively connect a power source (e.g., a hydraulic motor) to a transmission connected to the hub. The disconnect mechanism is connected to the input shaft and is adapted to be selectively hand actuated. The disconnect mechanism includes a hand rotatable knob rotatably connected to a cover removably attached to and enclosing an end of the hub. The knob includes an annular helical surface (i.e., ramp surface) operable to axially displace the input shaft from a first position in which the input shaft is drivingly connected to the transmission and, thus, the hub to a second position in which the input shaft is disconnected from the transmission. A disconnect pin is positioned intermediate the disconnect knob and the input shaft and rides on the ramp surface of the disconnect knob. A resilient member biases the input shaft into continuous contact (via the disconnect pin) with the ramp surface of the disconnect knob.
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