Ptu cantilever ring gear disconnect

Abstract

A power transfer unit assembly for a vehicle. The power transfer unit includes a cantilevered ring gear assembly configured on a housing cover. The housing cover is configured to mate to a main housing that may be configured in a vehicle drivetrain. The power transfer unit may include at least one engagement mechanism configured to selectively engage and disengage the cantilevered ring gear assembly.

1 . A power transfer unit assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
 a main housing;   a housing cover configured to mate with the main housing; and   a cantilevered ring gear assembly including a cantilevered ring gear, a ring gear shaft, a first bearing element, a second bearing element, and a ring gear nut, the cantilevered ring gear configured on the ring gear shaft, the cantilevered ring gear configured to engage a pinion gear, the ring gear shaft being supported in the housing cover by the first bearing element and by the second bearing element, the first bearing element being slid over the ring gear shaft and the second bearing element being slid over the ring gear shaft, the ring gear nut configured on the ring gear shaft, and the ring gear nut configured to apply a preload to at least one of the first bearing element or the second bearing element.   
     
     
         2 . The power transfer unit assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a crush sleeve configured between the first bearing element and the second bearing element. 
     
     
         3 . The power transfer unit assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one shim configured at the first bearing element, configured at the second bearing element, or configured at both the first and second bearing elements. 
     
     
         4 . The power transfer unit assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a bearing cup configured at the first bearing element, configured at the second bearing element, or configured at both the first and second bearing elements. 
     
     
         5 . The power transfer unit assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein the bearing cup functions as a shim. 
     
     
         6 . The power transfer unit assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a propeller shaft configured to transmit torque to a second power transfer unit. 
     
     
         7 . The power transfer unit assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein as the cantilevered ring gear engages the pinion gear, the pinion gear is configured to transmit torque to a propeller shaft as a transmission provides torque to at least one wheel on a vehicle. 
     
     
         8 . The power transfer unit assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising an engagement mechanism that is configured to selectively engage and disengage the cantilevered ring gear assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The power transfer unit assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the engagement mechanism is a clutch mechanism having a sliding collar. 
     
     
         10 . The power transfer unit assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the engagement mechanism is a synchronizing mechanism. 
     
     
         11 . A power transfer unit assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
 a main housing;   a housing cover configured to mate with the main housing; and   a cantilevered ring gear assembly including a cantilevered ring gear, a ring gear shaft, a single bearing cartridge containing a first bearing element and a second bearing element, and a ring gear nut, the cantilevered ring gear configured on the ring gear shaft, the cantilevered ring gear configured to engage a pinion gear, the ring gear shaft being supported in the housing cover by the bearing cartridge, the bearing cartridge being slid over the ring gear shaft, the ring gear nut configured on the ring gear shaft, and the ring gear nut configured to apply a preload to the bearing cartridge.   
     
     
         12 . The power transfer unit assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the bearing cartridge includes an integrated lip. 
     
     
         13 . The power transfer unit assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein the integrated lip of the bearing cartridge engages an inner surface of the housing cover. 
     
     
         14 . The power transfer unit assembly according to  claim 11 , further comprising at least one shim configured between the bearing cartridge and the cantilevered ring gear assembly, configured between the integrated lip and the housing cover, or configured between both the bearing cartridge and the cantilevered ring gear assembly and between the integrated lip and the housing cover. 
     
     
         15 . The power transfer unit assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the bearing cartridge includes an integrated radial lip seal.