Limited slip differential
AssigneeNissan Motor Co., Ltd.
InventorsKiyotaka Ozaki, Shuuji Torii, Tomio Jindo, Takashi Imaseki
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A limited slip differential comprises a pair of friction clutches interposed between a pair of pressure rings and a differential casing. The friction clutches are urged toward an engaged condition to reduce a differential action when a pinion mate shaft having a pair of cam portions rotate to urge the pressure rings to move away from each other. The friction clutches are also urged toward the engaged condition to reduce the differential action when supplied with fluid pressure from a hydraulic system. The hydraulic system controls supply and discharge of fluid pressure to and from said friction clutches in view of running conditions of the vehicle, such as for example accelerated conditions.
Claims5
A limited slip differential for a vehicle comprising:
- a casing adapted to be driven;
- a pair of side gears retained within said casing;
- a pinion gear retained within said casing and engaging said side gears to form a differential gear mechanism;
- a pinion mate shaft supporting thereon said pinion gear and having a cam portion;
- a pair of pressure rings retained within said casing having grooves engaged with said cam portion;
- a pair of friction clutches interposed between said pressure rings and said casing;
- and
- means for selectively applying a preload to said friction clutches through control of fluid pressure;
- a housing within which said casing is retained;
- a pair of roller bearings rotatably supporting said casing on said housing;
- and
- a pair of reaction plates having annular body portions mounted on said casing for movement axially of said casing but against rotation relative to same and each having a portion disposed outside of said casing and a portion projecting inside of same to engage corresponding one of said friction clutches, one of said reaction plates being rotatably supported on said housing and the other being operatively connected to said means to receive a fluid pressure therefrom.
A limited slip differential for a vehicle comprising:
- a casing adapted to be driven about an axis of rotation thereof;
- a pair of side gears retained within said casing;
- a pinion gear retained within said casing and engaging said side gears to form a differential gear mechanism;
- a pinion mate shaft rotatably mounted in said casing and mounting thereon said pinion gear in such a manner as to rotate together therewith, said pinion mate shaft having a pair of cam portions adjacent the ends thereof;
- a pair of pressure rings retained within said casing for movememnt axially of said casing but against rotation relative to same and having grooves in which said cam portions of said pinion mate shaft are engaged so that rotation of said pinion mate shaft urges said pressure rings to move away from each other;
- a pair of friction clutches interposed between said pressure rings and said casing;
- means for selectively applying a preload to said friction clutches through control of said fluid pressure;
- a housing within which said casing is retained;
- a pair of roller bearings rotatably supporting said casing on said housing;
- and
- a pair of reaction plates, having annular body portions, mounted on said casing for movement axially of said casing but against rotation relative to same and each having a portion disposed outside of said casing and a portion projecting inside of same to engage corresponding one of said friction clutches, one of said reaction plates being rotatably supported on said housing and the other being operatively connected to said means to receive a fluid pressure therefrom.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.