US Patent 7140268 Compact power transfer unit

A motor vehicle power transfer unit includes an input portion, an output portion, a non-parallel gear set and a parallel gear set. The input portion is adapted to connect to an output portion of a transmission assembly and the output portion is adapted to connect to an input portion of a rear wheel drive line. The parallel gear set is coupled to the input portion and transfers power to the non-parallel gear set, which is coupled to the output portion. The non-parallel gear set includes a ring gear having a front face with gear teeth formed therein and a rear face having a cavity formed therein. The ring gear is supported within the power transfer unit by a bearing mounted within the cavity.