Flynn, Thiel, Boutell & Tanis, P.C.
Transfer device in a four-wheel drive vehicle
 A transfer device in a four-wheel drive vehicle is provided in a simple construction wherein even an overstroke does not affect the shift position and thus eliminates the need of a highly accurate control for stop positions. The transfer device includes a high-speed/low-speed shifting shaft and a two-wheel/four-wheel shifting shaft disposed side by side in proximity to each other. A first elliptic groove and a first semicircular groove are formed in an outer peripheral surface of the high-speed/low-speed shifting shaft in an axially spaced relation to each other and a second semicircular groove corresponding to the first elliptic groove and a second elliptic groove corresponding to the first semicircular groove are formed in an outer peripheral surface of the two-wheel/four-wheel shifting shaft in an axially spaced relation to each other. An axially moveable shifting yoke is loosely fitted on the first and second shifting shafts while embracing the shifting shaft portions corresponding to the first and second elliptic grooves and the first and second semicircular grooves. A first ball and a second ball are disposed within the shifting yoke between the shifting shafts. The first ball engages or disengages from the first elliptic groove and the second semicircular groove and the second ball engages or disengages with the first semicircular groove and the second elliptic groove, with axial movement of the shifting yoke. This arrangement requires only one actuator to move the shifting yoke axially and eliminates the need for select operation of a lever. 
Suzuki Motor Corporation
Y B B
Y10T B60K B60K
additional inventional inventional
Hiroaki
Yamada