Limited slip differential with positive lube flow to clutch plates
OwnerMark S. Barrett, Gregory J. Hilker +2inventors
InventorsMark S. Barrett, Gregory J. Hilker, William G. Hunt, Gregory E. Woodside
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A differential with a differential case, a differential gear set and a clutch pack. Apertures are formed axially through the differential case and the clutch pack to facilitate the introduction of lubricant through the differential case and into the clutch pack. An axle assembly and a method of operating an axle assembly are also provided.
Claims14
A differential comprising:
- a differential case having a first end, a second end opposite the first end and an internal cavity between the first and second ends, a plurality of first lubrication apertures being formed through the first end and extending into the internal cavity;
- a differential gear set mounted to the differential case in the internal cavity, the differential gear set including a first side gear disposed proximate the first end of the differential case;
- and
- a first clutch pack disposed between the first end and the first side gear, the clutch pack including a plurality of first clutch plates and a plurality of second clutch plates, the first clutch plates being non-rotatably coupled to the differential case, the second clutch plates being non-rotatably coupled to the first side gear, each of the plurality of first and second clutch plates including a plurality of second lubrication apertures extending axially therethrough.
An axle assembly comprising:
- a carrier housing defining a cavity;
- a differential case received in the cavity;
- differential bearings disposed between the carrier housing and the differential case, the differential bearings supporting the differential case for rotation about a first axis;
- a differential gear set received in the differential case, the differential gear set including a pair of side gears;
- a pair of clutch packs, each of the clutch packs being received between the differential case and an associated one of the side gears, each clutch pack having a plurality of lubrication apertures extending axially therethrough substantially parallel to the first axis;
- a ring gear coupled to the differential case;
- and
- a pinion engaging the ring gear and supported for rotation about a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis;
- wherein lubrication apertures extend axially through opposite ends of the differential case between to create a fluid path by which lubricant discharged from the differential bearings can travel axially through the differential case and into an associated one of the clutch packs.
A method for operating an axle assembly having an axle housing, a differential and a pair of differential bearings supporting the differential on the axle housing for rotation about an axis, the differential having a differential case, a pair of friction clutches and a differential gear set with a pair of side gears, the method comprising:
- rotating the differential about the first axis;
- directing a lubricant onto the differential bearings, the lubricant being passed through the differential bearing toward the differential due to centrifugal force;
- and
- passing the lubricant passed through the differential bearing axially through the differential case and axially through at least a portion of the friction clutches.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.