Control system for split axle drive mechanism

Claim 2

A control system for automatically operating the clutch in a single clutch split axle drive mechanism responsive to an operational mode of a transfer case, with which the split axle drive mechanism is used in a part-time four-wheel drive vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine, comprising: a vacuum motor mechanically connected to the clutch so that the clutch is biased toward disengagement when the vacuum motor is vented and biased toward engagement when the vacuum motor is evacuated, conduit means connecting the vacuum motor to a vacuum source provided by the internal combustion engine, said conduit means including a two-way valve which has a first operative position where the vacuum motor is connected to a vent and a second operative position where the vacuum motor is connected to the vacuum source for evacuating the vacuum motor, means operatively connected to the transfer case positioning the two-way valve in the second operative position when the transfer case is in a four-wheel drive mode whereby the clutch is automatically engaged when four-wheel drive is selected, and said two-way valve being mechanically positioned in the fist operative position when the transfer case is in the two-wheel drive mode whereby the control system does not require any power for operation in the two-wheel drive mode.

Claim 3

A control system for automatically operating the clutch in a single clutch split axle drive mechanism responsive to an operational mode of a transfer case, with which the split axle drive mechanism is used in a part-time four-wheel drive vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine, comprising: a vacuum motor operatively connected to the clutch so that the clutch is biased toward disengagement when the vacuum motor is vented and biased toward engagement when the vacuum motor is evacuated, conduit means connecting the vacuum motor to a vacuum source provided by the internal combustion engine, said conduit means including a two-way valve which has a first operative position where the vacuum motor is vented and a second operative position where the vacuum motor is evacuated by the vacuum source, means positioning the two-way valve in the second position when the transfer case is in a four-wheel drive mode whereby the clutch is automatically engaged when four-wheel drive is selected, and time delay means in the conduit means for delaying clutch engagement to a time after the transfer case is shifted to four-wheel drive, so that the clutch parts are rotating in the same direction and four-wheel drive can be selected while the vehicle is in motion.

Claim 4

A control system for automatically operating the clutch in a single clutch split axle drive mechanism responsive to an operational mode of a transfer case, with which the split axle drive mechanism is used in a part-time four-wheel drive vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine, comprising: a vacuum motor operatively connected to the clutch so that the clutch is biased toward disengagement when the vacuum motor is vented and biased toward engagement when the vacuum motor is evacuated, conduit means connecting the vacuum motor to a vacuum source provided by the internal combustion engine, said conduit means including a two-way valve which has a first operative position where the vacuum motor is vented and a second operative position where the vacuum motor is evacuated by the vacuum source, means positioning the two-way valve in the second position when the transfer case is in a four-wheel drive mode whereby the clutch is automatically engaged when four-wheel drive is selected, and time delay means in the conduit means for delaying clutch engagement to a time after the transfer case is shifted to four-wheel drive, so that the clutch parts are rotating in the same direction and four-wheel drive can be selected while the vehicle is in motion.

Claim 5

A control system for automatically operating the clutch in a single clutch split axle drive mechanism responsive to an operational mode of a transfer case, with which the split axle drive mechanism is used in a part-time four-wheel drive vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine, comprising: a vacuum motor mechanically connected to the clutch so that the clutch is biased toward disengagement when the vacuum motor is vented and biased toward engagement when the vacuum motor is evacuated, conduit means connecting the vacuum motor to the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine for evacuating the vacuum motor, said conduit means including a two-way valve which has a first operative position where the vacuum motor is vented and a second operative position where the vacuum motor is connected to the vacuum source, electric means operatively connected to the transfer case positioning the two-way valve in the second operative position when the transfer case is in a four-wheel drive mode whereby the clutch is automatically engaged when four-wheel drive is selected, and a vacuum check valve in the conduit means between the two-way valve and the intake manifold for preventing bleed down of the evacuated vacuum motor by the intake manifold.

Claim 6

A control system for automatically operating the clutch in a single clutch split axle drive mechanism responsive to an operational mode of a transfer case, with which the split axle drive mechanism is used in a part-time four-wheel drive vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine, comprising: a vacuum motor mechanically connected to the clutch so that the clutch is biased toward disengagement when the vacuum motor is vented and biased toward engagement when the vacuum motor is evacuated, conduit means connecting the vacuum motor to the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine for evacuating the vacuum motor, said conduit means including a two-way valve which has a first operative position where the vacuum motor is vented and a second operative position where the vacuum motor is connected to the vacuum source, electric means operatively connected to the transfer case positioning the two-way valve in the second operative position when the transfer case is in a four-wheel drive mode whereby the clutch is automatically engaged when four-wheel drive is selected, and a vacuum check valve in the conduit means between the two-way valve and the intake manifold for preventing bleed down of the evacuated vacuum motor by the intake manifold.

Claim 7

A control system for automatically operating the clutch in a single clutch split axle drive mechanism responsive to an operational mode of a transfer case, with which the split axle drive mechanism is used in a part-time four-wheel drive vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine, comprising: a vacuum motor mechanically connected to the clutch so that the clutch is biased toward disengagement when the vacuum motor is vented and biased toward engagement when the vacuum motor is evacuated, conduit means connecting the vacuum motor to the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine for evacuating the vacuum motor, said conduit means including a two-way valve which has a first operative position where the vacuum motor is vented and a second operative position where the vacuum motor is connected to the vacuum source, spring means positioning the valve in the first operative position, electric means positioning the two-way valve in the second operative position when the transfer case is in a four-wheel mode whereby the clutch is automatically engaged when four-wheel drive is selected, pneumatic time delay means in the conduit means between the vacuum motor and the two-way valve for delaying the clutch engagement for a predetermined minimum amount of time after the transfer case is shifted to four-wheel drive so that the clutch parts are rotating in the same direction when four-wheel drive is selected while the vehicle is in motion, and a vacuum check valve in the condition means between the two-way valve and the intake manifold for preventing bleed down of the evacuated vacuum motor by the intake manifold.

Claim 8

A control system for automatically operating the clutch in a single clutch split axle drive mechanism responsive to an operational mode of a transfer case, with which the split axle drive mechanism is used in a part-time four-wheel drive vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine, comprising: a vacuum motor mechanically connected to the clutch so that the clutch is biased toward disengagement when the vacuum motor is vented and biased toward engagement when the vacuum motor is evacuated, conduit means connecting the vacuum motor to the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine for evacuating the vacuum motor, said conduit means including a two-way valve which has a first operative position where the vacuum motor is vented and a second operative position where the vacuum motor is connected to the vacuum source, spring means positioning the valve in the first operative position, electric means positioning the two-way valve in the second operative position when the transfer case is in a four-wheel mode whereby the clutch is automatically engaged when four-wheel drive is selected, pneumatic time delay means in the conduit means between the vacuum motor and the two-way valve for delaying the clutch engagement for a predetermined minimum amount of time after the transfer case is shifted to four-wheel drive so that the clutch parts are rotating in the same direction when four-wheel drive is selected while the vehicle is in motion, and a vacuum check valve in the condition means between the two-way valve and the intake manifold for preventing bleed down of the evacuated vacuum motor by the intake manifold.

Claim 9

In a part-time four-wheel drive vehicle having a source of vacuum, a transfer case having a two-wheel drive operating mode and a four wheel drive operating mode, and a split axle drive mechanism having a single clutch moveable between disengaged and engaged positions for the two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive operating modes, respectively, a control system for automatically operating the clutch responsive to the operational mode of the transfer case, comprising: a vacuum motor, means operatively connecting the vacuum motor to the clutch for biasing the clutch toward the engaged position when the vacuum motor is evacuated, and biasing the clutch toward the disengaged position when the vacuum motor is vented to atmosphere, conduit means connected between the vacuum motor and the vacuum source, said conduit means including valve means moveable between first and second positions for alternately connecting the conduit means to atmosphere or to the vacuum source, means normally locating the valve means in the first position to connect the conduit means to atmosphere and maintain the clutch disengaged, signal means actuated by the transfer case when in the four-wheel drive operating mode for indicating such mode to the vehicle operator, and means actuated by the transfer case concurrently with actuation of the signal means for moving the valve means to the second position to connect the vacuum motor to the vacuum source and evacuate the vacuum motor to bias the clutch toward the engaged position when the transfer case is in the four-wheel drive operating mode, and time delay means delaying evacuation of the vacuum motor by the vacuum source to a time after the transfer case is in the four-wheel drive operating mode so that the clutch parts are rotating in the same direction and four-wheel drive can be selected while the vehicle is in motion.

Claim 10

In a part-time four-wheel drive vehicle having a source of vacuum, a transfer case having a two-wheel drive operating mode and a four wheel drive operating mode, and a split axle drive mechanism having a single clutch moveable between disengaged and engaged positions for the two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive operating modes, respectively, a control system for automatically operating the clutch responsive to the operational mode of the transfer case, comprising: a vacuum motor, means operatively connecting the vacuum motor to the clutch for biasing the clutch toward the engaged position when the vacuum motor is evacuated, and biasing the clutch toward the disengaged position when the vacuum motor is vented to atmosphere, conduit means connected between the vacuum motor and the vacuum source, said conduit means including valve means moveable between first and second positions for alternately connecting the conduit means to atmosphere or to the vacuum source, means normally locating the valve means in the first position to connect the conduit means to atmosphere and maintain the clutch disengaged, signal means actuated by the transfer case when in the four-wheel drive operating mode for indicating such mode to the vehicle operator, and means actuated by the transfer case concurrently with actuation of the signal means for moving the valve means to the second position to connect the vacuum motor to the vacuum source and evacuate the vacuum motor to bias the clutch toward the engaged position when the transfer case is in the four-wheel drive operating mode, and time delay means delaying evacuation of the vacuum motor by the vacuum source to a time after the transfer case is in the four-wheel drive operating mode so that the clutch parts are rotating in the same direction and four-wheel drive can be selected while the vehicle is in motion.

Claim 11

A control system for automatically operating the clutch in a single clutch split axle drive mechanism responsive to an operational mode of a transfer case, with which the split axle drive mechanism is used in a part-time four-wheel drive vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine, comprising: a vacuum motor operatively connected to the clutch so that the clutch is biased toward disengagement when the vacuum motor is vented and biased toward engagement when the vacuum motor is evacuated, conduit means connecting the vacuum motor to a vacuum source provided by the internal combustion engine, said conduit means including a two-way valve which has a first operative position where the vacuum motor is vented and a second operative position where the vacuum motor is evacuated by the vacuum source, means positioning the two-way valve in the second position when the transfer case is in a four-wheel drive mode whereby the clutch is automatically engaged when four-wheel drive is selected, and time delay means for delaying clutch engagement to a time after the transfer case is shifted to four-wheel drive, so that the clutch parts are rotating in the same direction and four-wheel drive can be selected while the vehicle is in motion.

Claim 12

A control system for automatically operating the clutch in a single clutch split axle drive mechanism responsive to an operational mode of a transfer case, with which the split axle drive mechanism is used in a part-time four-wheel drive vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine, comprising: a vacuum motor operatively connected to the clutch so that the clutch is biased toward disengagement when the vacuum motor is vented and biased toward engagement when the vacuum motor is evacuated, conduit means connecting the vacuum motor to a vacuum source provided by the internal combustion engine, said conduit means including a two-way valve which has a first operative position where the vacuum motor is vented and a second operative position where the vacuum motor is evacuated by the vacuum source, means positioning the two-way valve in the second position when the transfer case is in a four-wheel drive mode whereby the clutch is automatically engaged when four-wheel drive is selected, and time delay means for delaying clutch engagement to a time after the transfer case is shifted to four-wheel drive, so that the clutch parts are rotating in the same direction and four-wheel drive can be selected while the vehicle is in motion.

Claim 13

A control system for automatically operating the clutch in a single clutch split axle drive mechanism responsive to an operational mode of a transfer case, with which the split axle drive mechanism is used in a part-time four-wheel drive vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine, comprising: a vacuum motor mechanically connected to the clutch so that that clutch is biased toward disengagement when the vacuum motor is vented and baised toward engagement when the vacuum motor is evacuated, conduit means connecting the vacuum motor to the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine for evacuating the vacuum motor, said conduit means including a two-way valve which has a first operative position where the vacuum motor is vented and a second operative position where the vacuum motor is connected to the vacuum source, spring means positioning the valve in the first operative position, means positioning the two-way valve in the second operative position when the transfer case is in a four-wheel drive mode whereby the clutch is automatically engaged when four-wheel drive is selected, pneumatic time delay means for delaying the clutch engagement for a predetermined minimum amount of time after the transfer case is shifted to four-wheel drive so that the clutch parts are rotating in the same direction when four-wheel drive is selected while the vehicle is in motion, and a vacuum check valve in the conduit means between the two-way valve and the intake manifold for preventing bleed down of the evacuated vacuum motor by the intake manifold.

Claim 14

A control system for automatically operating the clutch in a single clutch split axle drive mechanism responsive to an operational mode of a transfer case, with which the split axle drive mechanism is used in a part-time four-wheel drive vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine, comprising: a vacuum motor mechanically connected to the clutch so that that clutch is biased toward disengagement when the vacuum motor is vented and baised toward engagement when the vacuum motor is evacuated, conduit means connecting the vacuum motor to the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine for evacuating the vacuum motor, said conduit means including a two-way valve which has a first operative position where the vacuum motor is vented and a second operative position where the vacuum motor is connected to the vacuum source, spring means positioning the valve in the first operative position, means positioning the two-way valve in the second operative position when the transfer case is in a four-wheel drive mode whereby the clutch is automatically engaged when four-wheel drive is selected, pneumatic time delay means for delaying the clutch engagement for a predetermined minimum amount of time after the transfer case is shifted to four-wheel drive so that the clutch parts are rotating in the same direction when four-wheel drive is selected while the vehicle is in motion, and a vacuum check valve in the conduit means between the two-way valve and the intake manifold for preventing bleed down of the evacuated vacuum motor by the intake manifold.

Claim 15

In a part-time four-wheel drive vehicle having a source of vacuum, a transfer case having a two-wheel drive operating mode and a four-wheel drive operating mode, and a split axle drive mechanism having a single clutch moveable between disengaged and engaged positions for the two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive operating modes, respectively, a control system for automatically operating the clutch responsive to the operational mode of the transfer case, comprising: a vacuum motor, means operatively connecting the vacuum motor to the clutch for biasing the clutch toward the engaged position when the vacuum motor is evacuated, and biasing the clutch toward the disengaged position when the vacuum motor is vented to atmosphere, conduit means connected between the vacuum motor and the vacuum source, said conduit means including valve means moveable between first and second positions for alternately connecting the conduit means to atmosphere or to the vacuum source, means normally locating the valve means in the first position to connect the conduit means to atmosphere and maintain the clutch disengaged, means actuated by the transfer case for moving the valve means to the second position to connect the vacuum motor to the vacuum source and evacuate the vacuum motor to bias the clutch toward the engaged position when the transfer case is in the four-wheel drive operating mode, and time delay means delaying evacuation of the vacuum motor by the vacuum source to a time after the transfer case is in the four-wheel drive operating mode so that the clutch parts are rotating in the same direction and four-wheel drive can be selected while the vehicle is in motion.

Claim 16

In a part-time four-wheel drive vehicle having a source of vacuum, a transfer case having a two-wheel drive operating mode and a four-wheel drive operating mode, and a split axle drive mechanism having a single clutch moveable between disengaged and engaged positions for the two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive operating modes, respectively, a control system for automatically operating the clutch responsive to the operational mode of the transfer case, comprising: a vacuum motor, means operatively connecting the vacuum motor to the clutch for biasing the clutch toward the engaged position when the vacuum motor is evacuated, and biasing the clutch toward the disengaged position when the vacuum motor is vented to atmosphere, conduit means connected between the vacuum motor and the vacuum source, said conduit means including valve means moveable between first and second positions for alternately connecting the conduit means to atmosphere or to the vacuum source, means normally locating the valve means in the first position to connect the conduit means to atmosphere and maintain the clutch disengaged, means actuated by the transfer case for moving the valve means to the second position to connect the vacuum motor to the vacuum source and evacuate the vacuum motor to bias the clutch toward the engaged position when the transfer case is in the four-wheel drive operating mode, and time delay means delaying evacuation of the vacuum motor by the vacuum source to a time after the transfer case is in the four-wheel drive operating mode so that the clutch parts are rotating in the same direction and four-wheel drive can be selected while the vehicle is in motion.