Inboard spring arrangement for a clutch actuated differential

A differential comprising:

• a differential case adapted to be rotated about an axis of rotation;
• a cross-shaft operatively coupled to the differential case such that the cross-shaft and the differential case rotate together about the axis of rotation;
• left and right clutch actuators having opposing inboard sides between which the cross-shaft is positioned, the inboard sides of the left and right clutch actuators defining pockets that cooperate to define a shaft receptacle that receives the cross-shaft, and each pocket including first and second ramp surfaces that are angled relative to one another so as to converge toward a neutral position positioned between the first and second ramp surfaces;
• left and right axle hubs positioned on opposite sides of the cross-shaft;
• a left clutch pack that prevents relative rotation between the left clutch actuator and the left axle hub about the axis of rotation when a left clutch engagement pressure is applied to the left clutch pack;
• a right clutch pack that prevents relative rotation between the right clutch actuator and the right axle hub about the axis of rotation when a right clutch engagement pressure is applied to the right clutch pack;
• a rotation limiting arrangement at the inboard sides of the left and right clutch actuators for limiting relative rotation between the left and right clutch actuators about the axis of rotation, the rotation limiting arrangement including a post and a post receptacle provided at the inboard side of each of the left and right clutch actuators, the post receptacles each being located between opposing first and second stop surfaces, the post of the left clutch actuator being received within the post receptacle of the right clutch actuator and the post of the right clutch actuator being received within the post receptacle of the left clutch actuator, wherein the posts have first curved locations that make line contact with the first stop surfaces to stop relative rotation in a first rotational direction between the left and right clutch actuators, and wherein the posts have second curved locations that makes line contact with the second stop surfaces to stop relative rotation in a second rotational direction between the left and right clutch actuators, the first rotational direction being opposite from the second rotational direction;
• and
• wherein contact between the cross-shaft and the first or second ramp surface at the inboard side of the left clutch actuator causes the left clutch engagement pressure to be applied to the left clutch pack, wherein contact between the cross-shaft and the first or second ramp surface at the inboard side of the right clutch actuator causes the right clutch engagement pressure to be applied to the right clutch pack, wherein the left engagement pressure is not applied to the left clutch pack when the cross-shaft aligns with the neutral position of the left clutch actuator, and wherein the right engagement pressure is not applied to the right clutch pack when the cross-shaft aligns with the neutral position of the right clutch actuator.

A differential comprising:

• a differential case adapted to be rotated about an axis of rotation;
• a cross-shaft operatively coupled to the differential case such that the cross-shaft and the differential case rotate together about the axis of rotation;
• left and right clutch housings having opposing inboard sides between which the cross-shaft is positioned;
• left and right axle hubs positioned on opposite sides of the cross-shaft;
• a left clutch pack positioned within the left clutch housing that prevents relative rotation between the left clutch housing and the left axle hub about the axis of rotation when a left clutch engagement pressure is applied to the left clutch pack;
• a right clutch pack positioned within the right clutch housing that prevents relative rotation between the right clutch actuator and the right axle hub about the axis of rotation when a right clutch engagement pressure is applied to the right clutch pack;
• the left and right clutch packs each including first and second clutch plates that are interleaved with respect to each other, the first clutch plates interfacing with the left and right clutch housings at first spline interfaces and the second clutch plates interfacing with left and right axle hubs at second spline interfaces;
• the first and second spline interfaces including splines that fit within spline receptacles, the spline receptacles defining transverse cross-sectional areas, and wherein at least some of the splines include first splines having transverse cross-sectional areas that occupy no more than 85 percent of the cross-sectional areas of the spline receptacles in which they are received such that axial oil flow paths are defined within the spline receptacles for allowing oil to escape from between the first and second clutch plates when the left and right clutch packs are actuated;
• and
• wherein contact between the cross-shaft and a ramp surface at the inboard side of the left clutch actuator causes the left clutch engagement pressure to be applied to the left clutch pack, and wherein contact between the cross-shaft and a ramp surface at the inboard side of the right clutch actuator causes the right clutch engagement pressure to be applied to the right clutch pack.