Inventors:
Yakov Fleytman - Orion MI
Assignee:
New Venture Gear, Inc. - Troy MI
International Classification:
F16H 372
Abstract:
A range shift arrangement is disclosed for shifting a gear reduction unit between a low-range operating speed and a high-range operating speed, or any speed range in-between. This arrangement is particularly adapted for use in vehicle power transfer devices, such as four-wheel drive transfer cases, for allowing the operator to shift âon-the-move:â between a low-range drive mode and a high-range drive mode, or any range therebetween. In the preferred embodiment, the gear reduction unit includes a first component driven by the input shaft, a second component driving the output shaft, and a third component driven by a worm gearset. The worm gearset includes a worm gear fixed to the third component and a worm meshed with the worm gear. A variable speed motor is operable to drive the worm so as to vary the rotary speed of the third component, thereby varying the speed ratio between the input and output shafts.