HELICAL PLANETARY GEAR ASSEMBLY

摘要

A helical planetary gear assembly which is particularly adapted for use in a vehicle drive mechanism such as a four-wheel drive transfer case. The reaction member (ring gear) is rigidly secured to the housing; the input member (sun gear) is axially and radially located by a bearing; and the output member (planet carrier) is axially restrained but radially free to float. In direct drive the input and output are connected directly and the gears are unloaded, thus avoiding vibration and wear commonly experienced when running in reduction drive. The assembly requires only one mesh point when shifting to either the direct or reduction drive mode.