Vehicle Drawbar Test Characteristics of Electric and Viscous Clutch All Wheel Drive Systems

Vehicle drawbar testing was conducted in order to establish the relative performance of all wheel drive electric and viscous clutch transfer case systems. The drawbar tests of a Ford Aerostar system with an electric clutch transfer case are compared to viscous clutch systems in a GM Astro and a Chrysler Grand Cherokee. The empirical test results and theoretical comparison show that the electric clutch transfer case system has a greater amount of torque transfer and its reaction time is faster.