Abstract: A secondary drive unit (SDU) for the secondary axis of an all wheel drive vehicle consists of an SDU housing defining a first section for receiving a main shaft which is connected to a drive source and a second section for enclosing a twin clutch assembly. The twin clutch assembly has a common clutch housing connected to the main shaft, a left clutch for selectively connecting a left output shaft and the clutch housing, a right clutch for selectively connecting a right output shaft and the clutch housing, and a rigid center plate separating the left and right clutches. The twin clutch assembly may be activated by a dual action piston assembly to decrease all wheel drive synchronization and connection response times.

Abstract: A rear drive module for an all-wheel drive motor vehicle includes a differential assembly having an outer differential housing and an inner differential housing, the inner differential housing being fixed for rotation with an output shaft of the differential assembly; a ring gear assembly having a ring gear mounted to and fixed for rotation with the outer differential housing; and a disconnect and synch-lock mechanism: operable to synchronize and lock the inner differential housing and the outer differential housing, and to disconnect the inner differential housing and the outer differential housing to prevent rotation of the outer differential housing and the ring gear. The disconnect and synch-lock mechanism may include a synchronizer clutch and a clutch actuator. The clutch actuator may be a ball-ramp or face cam mechanism which is configured to control the operation of the synchronizer clutch and locking between the inner and outer differential housings.

Abstract: A drive force distribution apparatus includes a clutch housing, first and second multi-plate clutches, and a center plate located between the first and second multi-plate clutches. The clutch housing includes a body member having a cylindrical portion and a bottom portion, and a tubular fixation member fixed to part of the cylindrical portion close to an open end. The cylindrical portion of the body member includes a first fit portion to which the first multi-plate clutch is fitted, a second fit portion to which the center plate is fitted, and a third fit portion to which the fixation member is fitted. The center plate is interposed between the fixation member and a step surface between the first fit portion and the second fit portion so as not to allow axial movement of the center plate relative to the body member.

Abstract: A drive force distribution apparatus includes a hollow shaft that rotates as a unit with a ring gear, a tubular clutch housing that is not allowed to rotate relative to the hollow shaft, a first multi-plate clutch located between the clutch housing and a first clutch hub, a second multi-plate clutch located between the clutch housing and a second clutch hub, and a stopper ring that keeps the clutch housing from coming off the hollow shaft. The stopper ring threadedly engages with a screw hole that is formed in the hollow shaft. An outer engagement portion of the hollow shaft engages with an inner engagement portion of the clutch housing. At least part of the outer engagement portion is located in the outer circumference of the screw hole.

Abstract: A secondary drive unit (SDU) for the secondary axis of an all wheel drive vehicle consists of an SDU housing defining a first section for receiving a main shaft which is connected to a drive source and a second section for enclosing a twin clutch assembly. The twin clutch assembly has a common clutch housing connected to the main shaft, a left clutch for selectively connecting a left output shaft and the clutch housing, a right clutch for selectively connecting a right output shaft and the clutch housing, and a rigid center plate separating the left and right clutches. The twin clutch assembly may be activated by a dual action piston assembly to decrease all wheel drive synchronization and connection response times.

Abstract: A driving force distributing apparatus is configured to distribute a driving force from an engine to right and left wheels in a manner that the driving force is differentially transmittable to the wheels and the transmission of the driving force is interruptible. The apparatus includes: a differential case; a differential gear mechanism including a pair of side gears and a plurality of pinion gears; an intermediate shaft coupled to one of the side gears such that the intermediate shaft is not rotatable relative to this side gear; and a clutch mechanism to transmit a driving force from the intermediate shaft to one of the wheels in a manner that the transmission of the driving force is interruptible. The clutch mechanism includes: coaxial relatively rotatable first and second rotational members; and a plurality of clutch plates disposed between the rotational members. The first rotational member is spline-fitted to the intermediate shaft.

Abstract: A driving force transmitting apparatus is provided which enables rotational resistance of rotating members to be suppressed while sufficiently supplying lubricant to a friction clutch. A driving force transmitting apparatus includes a clutch drum having a cylindrical portion, an inner shaft having an end housed in the clutch drum, a friction clutch having outer clutch plates that rotate along with the clutch drum and inner clutch plates that rotate along with the inner shaft, a piston that presses the friction clutch, and a housing in which a first housing chamber housing the friction clutch is formed and in which a storage chamber storing lubricant scooped up by rotation of the clutch drum is also formed. The lubricant stored in the storage chamber returns to the first housing chamber through an inner circulation path leading to inside the clutch drum and an outer circulation path leading to outside the clutch drum.

Abstract: Provided is a driving force transmission device that can achieve further reduction in drag torque when it is not in operation and thus is not transmitting a driving force. A driving force transmission device includes: a clutch hub and a clutch drum; inner clutch plates spline-fitted on the clutch hub; outer clutch plates spline-fitted in the clutch drum; and a housing having a second accommodating chamber accommodating the clutch hub and the clutch drum. The inner clutch plates and the outer clutch plates are lubricated by lubricant. The driving force transmission device further includes a fin plate. The fin plate rotates with the clutch hub. By this rotation, the fin plate scoops up the lubricant in the second accommodating chamber to feed the lubricant to a reservoir chamber formed in the housing.

Abstract: A rear drive module for an all-wheel drive motor vehicle includes a differential assembly having an outer differential housing and an inner differential housing, the inner differential housing being fixed for rotation with an output shaft of the differential assembly; a ring gear assembly having a ring gear mounted to and fixed for rotation with the outer differential housing; and a disconnect and synch-lock mechanism: operable to synchronize and lock the inner differential housing and the outer differential housing, and to disconnect the inner differential housing and the outer differential housing to prevent rotation of the outer differential housing and the ring gear. The disconnect and synch-lock mechanism may include a synchronizer clutch and a clutch actuator. The clutch actuator may be a ball-ramp or face cam mechanism which is configured to control the operation of the synchronizer clutch and locking between the inner and outer differential housings.

Abstract: A driving force transmitting apparatus includes a clutch drum having a cylindrical portion, an inner shaft having an end housed in the clutch drum, a friction clutch having outer clutch plates that rotate along with the clutch drum and inner clutch plates that rotate along with the inner shaft, a piston that presses the friction clutch, and a housing in which a first housing chamber housing the friction clutch is formed. The friction clutch is lubricated with a lubricant fed through an opening. The housing is provided with a storage chamber in which the lubricant scooped up by rotation of the clutch drum is stored and a lubricant supply hole which allows the lubricant stored in the storage chamber to be fed from inside the piston to the first housing chamber.

Abstract: A driving force distributing apparatus is configured to distribute a driving force from an engine to right and left wheels in a manner that the driving force is differentially transmittable to the wheels and the transmission of the driving force is interruptible. The apparatus includes: a differential case; a differential gear mechanism including a pair of side gears and a plurality of pinion gears; an intermediate shaft coupled to one of the side gears such that the intermediate shaft is not rotatable relative to this side gear; and a clutch mechanism to transmit a driving force from the intermediate shaft to one of the wheels in a manner that the transmission of the driving force is interruptible. The clutch mechanism includes: coaxial relatively rotatable first and second rotational members; and a plurality of clutch plates disposed between the rotational members. The first rotational member is spline-fitted to the intermediate shaft.

Abstract: A driving force transmitting apparatus is provided which enables rotational resistance of rotating members to be suppressed while sufficiently supplying lubricant to a friction clutch. A driving force transmitting apparatus includes a clutch drum having a cylindrical portion, an inner shaft having an end housed in the clutch drum, a friction clutch having outer clutch plates that rotate along with the clutch drum and inner clutch plates that rotate along with the inner shaft, a piston that presses the friction clutch, and a housing in which a first housing chamber housing the friction clutch is formed and in which a storage chamber storing lubricant scooped up by rotation of the clutch drum is also formed. The lubricant stored in the storage chamber returns to the first housing chamber through an inner circulation path leading to inside the clutch drum and an outer circulation path leading to outside the clutch drum.

Abstract: A driving force transmitting apparatus includes a clutch drum having a cylindrical portion, an inner shaft having an end housed in the clutch drum, a friction clutch having outer clutch plates that rotate along with the clutch drum and inner clutch plates that rotate along with the inner shaft, a piston that presses the friction clutch, and a housing in which a first housing chamber housing the friction clutch is formed. The friction clutch is lubricated with a lubricant fed through an opening. The housing is provided with a storage chamber in which the lubricant scooped up by rotation of the clutch drum is stored and a lubricant supply hole which allows the lubricant stored in the storage chamber to be fed from inside the piston to the first housing chamber.

Abstract: Provided is a driving force transmission device that can achieve further reduction in drag torque when it is not in operation and thus is not transmitting a driving force. A driving force transmission device includes: a clutch hub and a clutch drum; inner clutch plates spline-fitted on the clutch hub; outer clutch plates spline-fitted in the clutch drum; and a housing having a second accommodating chamber accommodating the clutch hub and the clutch drum. The inner clutch plates and the outer clutch plates are lubricated by lubricant. The driving force transmission device further includes a fin plate. The fin plate rotates with the clutch hub. By this rotation, the fin plate scoops up the lubricant in the second accommodating chamber to feed the lubricant to a reservoir chamber formed in the housing.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicular drive system includes a pair of drive shafts, a differential gear device for distributing a received drive torque to left and right drive wheels through the respective drive shafts, a control clutch associated with one of the drive shafts and configured to switch between its engaged and released states, and a braking device disposed to apply a braking force to one of the drive wheels which is disposed to the other of the drive shafts. The control apparatus includes: a torque control portion configured to operate the braking device for reducing the torque to be transmitted to the one of the drive wheels, in the event of an abrupt increase of the torque received by the differential gear device while the control clutch is placed in the engaged state.

Abstract: A driving force transmission apparatus includes: a housing having an inner peripheral spline portion; an inner shaft having an outer peripheral spline portion; a main clutch including first outer and inner clutch plates respectively engaged with the inner and outer peripheral spline portions; a cam mechanism generating pressing force for pressing the main clutch by relatively rotating a pair of cam members; and an electromagnetic clutch mechanism including an armature engaged with the inner peripheral spline portion and applying rotation force to the cam mechanism for relatively rotating the cam members through energization of an electromagnetic coil. An end face facing the armature is formed in the inner peripheral spline portion between a first region engaged with the first outer clutch plate and a second region engaged with the armature. Movement of the armature toward the first region is regulated by contact of the armature with the end face.

Abstract: A power transmitting shaft transmits power of a driving force source to driven wheels. A differential gear is connected to an axle of the driven wheels. A ring gear is provided between the power transmitting shaft and the differential gear. A switching mechanism between the driving force source and the power transmitting shaft switches between a four-wheel drive state and a two-wheel drive state. A two-way clutch is provided between the ring gear and the differential gear. The two-way clutch switches between a power transmitting state and a power transmission interrupted state.

Abstract: A driving force transmission apparatus includes: a housing having an inner peripheral spline portion; an inner shaft having an outer peripheral spline portion; a main clutch including first outer and inner clutch plates respectively engaged with the inner and outer peripheral spline portions; a cam mechanism generating pressing force for pressing the main clutch by relatively rotating a pair of cam members; and an electromagnetic clutch mechanism including an armature engaged with the inner peripheral spline portion and applying rotation force to the cam mechanism for relatively rotating the cam members through energization of an electromagnetic coil. An end face facing the armature is formed in the inner peripheral spline portion between a first region engaged with the first outer clutch plate and a second region engaged with the armature. Movement of the armature toward the first region is regulated by contact of the armature with the end face.