US5205373A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Structure of vehicle power train
Assignee: Mazda Motor Corp
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Filing: 1991-03-06
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Granted: 1993-04-27
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Expires: 2011-03-06
Abstract
Abstract A structure of vehicle power train having an engine situated lengthwise in a vehicle and a transmission disposed in the side of the engine in parallel comprises a front differential unit, which distributes a power outputted from the transmission to right and left front wheels, disposed in front of transmission in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and between the engine output shaft and transmission output shaft in the widthwise direction of the vehicle. The centroid of the power train is positioned to the rear of the front wheels and accordingly, a load on the front wheels is reduced without lengthening a wheel base. By disposing the power train to the front of the transmission, the passenger compartment is widened. The overall height and length of the power train in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is decreased, and the power train becomes compacted. Since the front differential unit is positioned almost center in the widthwise direction of the vehicle, a front axle shaft is formed symetrically and securing the torque transmission to front right wheel and front left wheel can be accomplished.
Inventors
- 👤 Masaki Kadokura
- 👤 Hideaki Akahoshi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 15:37
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K17/00; B60K17/02; B60K17/04; B60K17/06; B60K17/08; B60K17/16; B60K17/34; B60K17/344; B60K17/346
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A structure of a vehicle power train comprising an engine positioned lengthwise in a vehicle a transmission positioned adjacent to said engine in a widthwise direction of the vehicle, and a power train, said power train comprising a front differential unit for distributing a power outputted from said transmission to a front right wheel and a front left wheel, said front differential unit being disposed in front of said transmission in the longitudinal direction of said vehicle and between an engine output shaft and a transmission output shaft in the widthwise direction of said vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
A structure of a vehicle power train comprising an engine positioned lengthwise in a vehicle a transmission positioned adjacent to said engine in a widthwise direction of the vehicle, and a power train, said power train comprising a front differential unit for distributing a power outputted from said transmission to a front right wheel and a front left wheel, said front differential unit being disposed in front of said transmission in the longitudinal direction of said vehicle and between an engine output shaft and a transmission output shaft in the widthwise direction of said vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
A structure of a vehicle power train as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an output member for outputting said power from said transmission, said output member being provided near a rear end part of said transmission, wherein a power outputted from said output member is transmitted to said front differential unit through a front wheel drive shaft interposed between said engine and said transmission.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A structure of a vehicle power train as claimed in claim 1, wherein said engine is inclined toward said transmission in the widthwise direction of said vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A structure of a vehicle power train as claimed in claim 3, wherein said engine is a V-type engine having right and left banks and an intake air system is provided above either one of said right and left banks on said transmission side.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A structure of a vehicle power train as claimed in claim 1, wherein said engine is inclined forwardly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
A structure of a vehicle power train as claimed in claim 1, wherein a center differential unit distributing said power outputted from said transmission to front wheels and rear wheels is provided in front of said transmission in the longitudinal direction of said vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A structure of a vehicle power train as claimed in claim 6, wherein said front differential unit is positioned in front of said center differential unit in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A structure of a vehicle power train as claimed in claim 6, wherein said front differential unit is interposed between said center differential unit and said transmission in the longitudinal direction of said vehicle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
A structure of a vehicle power train as claimed in claim 1, wherein a center differential unit distributing said power outputted from said transmission to front wheels and rear wheels is interposed between said engine and said transmission in the widthwise direction of said vehicle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
A structure of a vehicle power train as claimed in claim 9, wherein said center differential unit is interposed between said front differential unit and said transmission in the longitudinal direction of said vehicle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
A structure of a vehicle power train as claimed in claim 1, wherein a center differential unit distributing said power outputted from said transmission to front wheels and rear wheels is disposed coaxially with a front axle shaft.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
91 words
A structure of a vehicle power train having an engine situated lengthwise in a vehicle and a transmission situated in the side of said engine in parallel, a power train comprising a center differential unit distributing a power outputted from said transmission to front wheels and rear wheels; and a front differential unit distributing a power outputted from said center differential unit to front right wheel and front left wheel, said both center and front differential units are disposed in front of said transmission in the longitudinal direction of said vehicle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
91 words
A structure of a vehicle power train having an engine situated lengthwise in a vehicle and a transmission situated in the side of said engine in parallel, a power train comprising a center differential unit distributing a power outputted from said transmission to front wheels and rear wheels; and a front differential unit distributing a power outputted from said center differential unit to front right wheel and front left wheel, said both center and front differential units are disposed in front of said transmission in the longitudinal direction of said vehicle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-04-26 | 1996-10-26 | 1997-04-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-04-26 | 2000-10-26 | 2001-04-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-04-26 | 2004-10-26 | 2005-04-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |