Abstract: A vehicle drive system includes a compact drive mode-shifting mechanism that is mounted in the final drive gearset of a vehicle. The drive mode-shifting mechanism includes a first shaft, a second shaft, and a clutch assembly. The first shaft forms an input shaft for the differential for a pair of wheels, the second shaft transmits engine power and the clutch assembly connects and disconnects the first and second shafts to one another to effect either the two-wheel-drive mode or the four-wheel-drive mode. The first shaft has an outer surface provided with a first spline, the second shaft has an outer surface provided with a second spline, and said clutch assembly includes an axially movable shifting member provided with an internal spline.

Abstract: A transfer case for a vehicle having two output shafts, a gear reduction assembly, a coupling mechanism and an overrunning roller clutch for selectively producing driving of one shaft only or both shafts concurrently. The coupling mechanism selectively couples one output shaft to either (1) an input shaft, (2) the gear reduction assembly, or (3) a neutral position. The overrunning clutch has an inner race, an outer race, and rollers located between the races. Drag shoes are positioned to frictionally slide on a drag surface of a selectively grounded member to retard the rollers. A resilient band urges the drag shoes against the drag surface. When the drag shoes rotate at a sufficient speed they disengage from the drag surface so as to provide no force to retard the rollers. When the ground member is grounded it provides the drag surface for the drag shoes. When the ground member is ungrounded it is free to rotate and the drag shoes do not provide a drag force to bias the rollers.

Abstract: A motor vehicle clutch assembly has an actuator device. The clutch assembly is a friction clutch assembly. The actuator device moves linearly and is for engaging and disengaging the clutch. The actuator device is powered by a motor. The actuator device has a device for blocking the linear movement of the actuator device in a preferred position, thereby reducing work done by the motor.

Abstract: The clutch actuation system provides for control of the clutch of a manual transmission in a motor vehicle. By use of an electric motor with mechanical linkage, hydraulics, a vacuum booster and a gradual pressure relief valve a smooth easy control of the manual transmission is accomplished. The vacuum booster provides an assist to the hydraulic system when the clutch must be disengaged. The gradual pressure relief valve provides for a smooth transition in the hydraulic system to engage and disengage the clutch. An engine RPM sensor is provided to prevent the disengagement of the transmission by the brake switch except at low engine RPM. The rapid smooth assist is aided by the vacuum system of the motor vehicle. For certain motor vehicles the engine oil system is also used to assist.

Abstract: A combined mechanical and centrifugal clutch for a motor driven vehicle which has several original equipment manufacturer's components including an inside and an outside pressure plate (70), also frictional material for transmitting torque through the clutch. A lock-up housing (84) is attached to the outside pressure plate and contains a number of pivotally connected camming fingers (100) that force the outside pressure plate into tensional contact wit the frictional material by the camming force of the fingers caused by rotational centrifugal force. The operational portion of the mechanical clutch is unaltered permitting mechanical release of the clutch with the centrifugal portion added to lock-in the torque transmitting capabilities permitting increased capacity and positive engagement. Selecting the optimum rotational engagement speed is achieved by the use of weights and altering the springs or changing spring compressibility.

Abstract: An actuator, especially for a motor vehicle clutch, is of the kind that has a casing carrying a reversible electric motor which has a drive spindle, a driving element for coupling the actuator to an actuating member of the clutch, a coupling mechanism which couples the motor drive spindle to the driving element and which includes a toothed sector plate coupled in rotation to the driving element. The coupling mechanism also includes an actuating force reducing mechanism having a compensating spring. The actuating force reducing mechansim includes a compensating lever which is articulated on the toothed sector plate and on an intermediate pivoting lever, which is itself articulated to the casing, the intermediate pivoting lever being coupled to the compensating spring.

Abstract: A force transmission linkage for an automative vehicle couples a control member with a manoeuvring member of a declutching device for a clutch, and is of the kind comprising a mechanical part with application points carried by a fixed part of the vehicle.In accordance with the invention, one of the application points of the linkage is movable in both directions along a course of travel which is defined between two limit positions and under the action of irreversible control device, which comprises a motor together with a transmission interposed between the motor and the movable application point. A position sensor is associated with the control member for detecting its free position when the latter is not actuated by the driver. Driving devices, comprising a computer and a detector, are provided.

Abstract: A power seat apparatus in a vehicle body includes a first shaft through which the rotational torque is transmitted to a first mechaism for moving a front portion of a seat-cushion vertically, a second shaft through which the rotational torque is transmitted to a second mechanism for moving a rear portion of the seat-cushion vertically and a third shaft through which the rotational torque is transmitted to a third mechanism for moving the seat-cushion in the lengthwise direction. The power seat apparatus further includes a mechanical control device engaging a third clutch to the third shaft during the disengagement of a first clutch from the first shaft and a second clutch from the second shaft and disengaging the third clutch from the third shaft during either the engagement of the first clutch to the first shaft or the engagement of the second clutch to the second shaft. With this arrangement no solenoid needs to be used in the control device, and consequently noise emission is not generated.

Abstract: A two-wheel and four-wheel drive transfer device includes a reciprocating fork shaft having a shift fork engagable with a sliding dog clutch so as to reciprocate the dog clutch and provide either two-wheel and four-wheel drive operating conditions. A motor is provided so as to rotate a worm gear assembly which is relatively rotatable with an output shaft supported in a casing. This worm gear is connected to and rotates a plate concurrently with rotation of the worm gear. A spring support plate is provided to be secured to the output shaft and two spiral springs, each spring being wound in a different direction and having a different rotating torque, are fixed to the output shaft and have ends brought into contact with the rotating plate and the spring support plate so that the rotating torque of the worm wheel is transmitted to the output shaft through the spiral springs depending on the direction of rotation of the worm gear.

Abstract: A mechanical clutch which is selectively engageable and disengageable. Interposed between an input member and an output member are a plurality of clutch rollers. In disengaged mode they rotate freely, relative to the members. In engaged mode they bunch together, thereby locking together and to the members, all of which then move together as a unit. A control member is applied to the clutch rollers to either engage or disengage the clutch. The movement of the members may be rotary or linear.

Abstract: A device for maintaining a clutch release bearing in contact with a clutch cover assembly at all times comprises a clutch release bearing operating shaft, a motorized actuator and coupling devices coupling the actuator to the shaft. These coupling devices incorporate a gear unit driven by the actuator and a toothed sector meshing with the gear unit and rotating freely on the shaft. The toothed sector cooperates with a lever fastened to the operating shaft through the intermediary of a thrust device which is implemented with play. An elastic device for presetting the force with which the clutch release bearing bears on the clutch cover assembly when the clutch is engaged, is disposed between the toothed sector and the lever and operates to increase the play of the thrust device.

Abstract: A revolving flexible circular steel band mounted on a drum, with a tightening member locking the band to the drum to transmit rotary motion of the band to the drum. The inner wall of the band is divided into three shoes which grip the drum when the band is tightened. The tightening member is an overlapping wedge which is depressed onto an underlapping wedge, with the resulting wedging action decreasing the circumference of the band and locking it to the drum.

Abstract: An improved coupling for driven shafts is formed by juxtaposed bores. A se core is disposed within the chamber formed by the bores. A plurality of radially extending splines are formed and used to rotatably fasten the core and the shafts. Adjustment means are associated with the core to move the core from an engaged position between and connecting the shafts for rotation to a second disengaged position within one of the bores.

Abstract: A double-acting, floating, frictional coupling mechanism including an air-operated diaphragm-type piston having a piston rod in meshed engagement with a set of different gears. The differential gearing intensifies the force transmitted through the piston rod by the air-operated piston.

Abstract: A rotary actuator having an output drive rod mounted within an output sleeve that is rotated by a drive motor. A driving mechanism for coupling the torque of the drive motor to the output sleeve includes a worm wheel that is mounted on the output sleeve so as to be freely rotatable relative to the output sleeve and a driving portion for transmitting power from the worm wheel to the output sleeve. A clutch also is mounted on the output sleeve for rotation with axial movement along the output sleeve. The clutch is normally biased into its first position for engagement with the drive portion of the drive mechanism for coupling it to the output sleeve for transmitting rotational force. A declutch mechanism causes the clutch to be moved of engagement with the drive portion, if the drive portion ceases to operate and the output sleeve is to be rotated by a hand wheel.