Full time all wheel drive system
View Patent ↗An all wheel drive system for use in a vehicle where that system includes a front axle having a front differential. The all wheel drive system also includes a center differential connected to the front differential via a prop shaft. The all wheel drive system also includes a rear axle having a rear differential wherein the rear differential is connected to the center differential. The rear differential having a reduction gear integrated therein.
1. An all wheel drive system for use in a vehicle, said system comprising:
a front axle having a front differential;
a center differential connected to said front differential; and
a rear axle having a rear differential, said rear differential connected to said center differential, one of said axles having a reduction gear integrated therein, and a sun gear in contact with said reduction gear, said sun gear having a body portion with a plurality of teeth on both ends thereof.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein said rear axle includes an axle housing and a differential housing rotatably supported within said axle housing.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein said differential housing includes a differential gear set therein, said differential gear set provided adjacent to said reduction gear.
4. The system of claim 3 wherein a shift mechanism is provided adjacent to and slidingly engageable with said sun gear.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein said shift mechanism engages said differential housing.
6. The system of claim 4 wherein said shift mechanism engages said axle housing.
7. The system of claim 5 wherein said reduction gear is locked and provides a 1:1 gear ratio for a high gear.
8. The system of claim 6 wherein said reduction gear is actuated and provides a predetermined low range gear ratio.
9. The system of claim 1 wherein said reduction gear is a single planetary gear.
10. The system of claim 1 wherein said reduction gear is a double planetary gear.