Abstract:
A differential gear mechanism, of either the locking or limited slip type, including a gear case (11) rotatably disposed within an outer housing (H) and means (37) to limit rotation of side gears (23,25) relative to the gear case (11), this means (37) including a member (41) which is axially moveable between a first position (FIG. 2) and a second position (FIG. 5). The mechanism includes a sensor assembly (95) and a sensor element (97) disposed adjacent the gear case (11). The axially moveable member (41) includes a sensed portion (89) surrounding an annular outer surface (11S) of the gear case, and disposed between the annular outer surface (11S) and the sensor element (97). Movement of the sensed portion (89) corresponding to changes within the mechanism between, for example, the unlocked and locked conditions, results in the sensor assembly (95) transmitting either a first or second electrical output. Thus, the present invention permits the vehicle control logic to know the condition of the differential mechanism and control certain other parts or functions of the vehicle accordingly.
Abstract:
Kraftfahrzeug-Antriebsstrang enthaltend ein Differentialgetriebe (2), welches einen Eingangs-Differentialteil und zwei Ausgangs-Differentialteile aufweist. Zwischen zweien der Differentialteile ist eine Reibkupplung (32) mit beschränktem übertragbaren Drehmoment angeordnet, so dass diese bei definierten kleinen Drehmomentunterschieden zwischen den beiden gekuppelten Differentialteilen und bei Drehmomentstößen in Schlupfbetrieb gehen kann. Ein temperaturabhängiges Einstellmittel (38) reduziert den Kupplungsschließdruck in Abhängigkeit von der Kupplungstemperatur mit zunehmender Kupplungstemperatur.
Abstract:
A locking differential gear mechanism of the type which can operate in either a manual mode or an automatic mode. The mechanism includes a gear case (11), and differential gearing including a side gear (23). The side gear (23) includes a flange portion (43) having a set of gear teeth (45), and adjacent thereto is a locking member (47), also having a set of gear teeth (49), disposed to engage the gear teeth on the flange portion. A ball ramp actuator is disposed adjacent the locking member (47), which is preferably integral with an inner actuating plate (57). There is an outer actuating plate (59), preferably disposed outside the gear case (11), and a set of cam balls (73) operable with the actuating plates (57,59) to cause ramp-up, and engagement of the gear teeth (45,49). An electromagnetic coil assembly (75) is disposed adjacent the ball ramp actuator, and is operable to retard rotation of the outer actuating plate (59), and initiate ramp-up, in response to an electrical input signal. The resulting locking differential is very compact and can be engaged or disengaged very quickly.
Abstract:
A limited slip differential gear mechanism, particularly for use with automotive vehicle axles, comprising differential side gears connected drivably to each of two driving axles for the vehicle. A pair of pressure plates splined to the carrier define a pair of opposed ramps. They are engaged by differential pinions carried by a pinion shaft. The pinions engage each of the two side gears. A friction clutch assembly is situated adjacent each side gear. The pressure plates transfer an axial component of the thrust force created on the ramp surfaces as torque is transmitted through the pinions and through each side gear to each of two axle shafts. Each friction clutch assembly includes friction disks carried by the side gears and by the carrier so that a bias torque is established as one axle shaft overspeeds the other. A hydrostatic pump has one pump member connected to the carrier and another connected to one of the axle shafts. The hydrostatic pump creates a differential speed-sensitive bias which complements the torque-sensitive bias developed by the ramps.
Abstract:
In a multi-disk clutch comprising a rotary body having splines formed thereon so as to extend helically along the surface thereof, with a number of disks having central openings with inwardly projecting teeth via which the discs are in rotationally positively locking engagement with the rotary body, the teeth are twisted so as to extend in a plane normal to the surface of the helically extending splines of the rotary body so that the end face areas of the teeth are in planar contact with the spline surfaces of the rotary body for the transmission of torque between the rotary body and the disks.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a full time four-wheel drive differential having center differential function in charge of differential between front wheels and rear wheels, front differential function in charge of differential between a left wheel and a right wheel of the front wheels, and function for limiting differential between the front wheels and the rear wheels and between the left wheel and the right wheel of the front wheels. SOLUTION: This differential device includes an outer case 5 provided with two or more pockets 11 along a circumference direction of a rotating shaft, two or more pinions 9 fitted in two or more pockets 11 to have a rotating shaft parallel to the rotating shaft of the outer case 5, a sun gear 7 which is engaged with the inside of the pinions 9 and transmits power to the rear wheels, and a ring gear 13 engaged with the outside of the pinions 9. This differential device further includes an inner case 3 rotatably installed inside the outer case 5, a spider pinion 1 installed with a spider pinion shaft 15 in the inner case 3, left/right side gears 17, 19 engaged with the spider pinion 1, and clutch packs 21 installed between the left/right side gears 17, 19 and the inner case 3. COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO
Abstract:
An axle assembly having a carrier housing, a locking differential assembly, a pair of differential bearing and an actuator assembly. The carrier housing includes a cavity. The locking differential assembly includes a differential case that is received in the cavity. The differential case includes a bearing bore into which an outer race of the differential bearing is received. The actuator assembly includes a sleeve that is movable between a first sleeve position, which is configured to cause the locking differential assembly to operate in an unlocked mode, and a second sleeve position that is configured to cause the locking differential assembly to operate in a locked mode. The sleeve is at least partly radially in-line with the differential bearing when the sleeve is in the first and/or second sleeve positions such that a plane taken perpendicular to the axis extends through both the sleeve and the differential bearing.
Abstract:
An axle assembly having a carrier housing, a pair of axle tubes, a differential case, a pair of differential bearings and a pair of bearing adjusters. The carrier housing includes a cavity, which is configured to receive the differential case, and a pair of axle tubes that are mounted to the carrier housing. The differential case includes bearing bores into which the outer races of the differential bearings are received. The bearing adjusters are threaded to the carrier housing and support the differential bearings on a side opposite the differential case.