Power transmission for automotive vehicle

Claim 1

A power transmission for automotive vehicles, comprising: a trans-axle housing formed therein with first, second and third compartments which are in open communication with each other and store therein an amount of lubricating oil; a change-speed gear transmission mounted within said first compartment to be applied with a drive power from a prime mover of the vehicle, and having lubricating means including at least one element picking up said lubricating oil to provide splash lubrication; a first transfer gear mechanism mounted within said second compartment and in drive connection with said gear transmission to transfer therethrough an output drive power from said gear transmission to front and rear wheel drive axles, and having lubricating means including at least one element picking up said lubricating oil to provide splash lubrication; and a second transfer gear mechanism mounted within said third compartment and in drive connection with said first transfer gear mechanism coaxially therewith to transfer therethrough the output drive power from said first transfer gear mechanism to the front wheel or rear wheel drive axles, and having lubricating means including at least one element picking up said lubricating oil to provide splash lubrication; an oil pump mounted within said first compartment of said trans-axle housing and drivingly connected to a driving element of said power transmission for pumping oil from said first compartment; and a communication passage extending from said oil pump to said third compartment through said second compartment to introduce lubricating oil discharged from said oil pump into said third compartment for lubricaton of said second transfer gear mechanism.