Differential apparatus

A differential apparatus comprising:

• a differential mechanism that allows a driving force inputted to an input member to be differentially distributed to a pair of output members;
• a differential case that accommodates the differential mechanism;
• and
• a clutch mechanism that transmits the driving force between the differential case and the input member of the differential mechanism, wherein
• the clutch mechanism includes a slide member movable in a central axial direction along a rotation axis of the differential case and an actuator for supplying the slide member with a moving force that moves the slide member in the central axial direction, the slide member located inside the differential case, the actuator located outside the differential case,
• the slide member includes a first meshable portion and an engaging portion, the first meshable portion located at one end of the slide member in the central axial direction and having a plurality of meshable teeth, the engaging portion engaging with the input member of the differential mechanism in a circumferential direction,
• the differential case includes a second meshable portion and a wall portion, the second meshable portion having a plurality of meshable teeth facing the first meshable portion in the central axial direction, the wall portion having a plurality of insertion holes for transmitting the moving force of the actuator to the slide member, the slide member located between the second meshable portion and the wall portion, and
• the differential apparatus switches between a coupled state and a decoupled state in accordance with whether the actuator is activated or deactivated, the coupled state causing the first meshable portion and the second meshable portion to mesh with each other in the circumferential direction so that the differential case and the slide member are coupled not to allow a relative rotation between the slide member and the differential case, the decoupled state decoupling the differential case and the slide member from each other to allow the relative rotation between the slide member and the differential case.