Differential having a generally spherical differencing element

A differential mechanism comprising:

• support means for mounting the mechanism on a central axis;
• input means for delivering rotary power to the mechanism;
• output means for receiving rotary power from the mechanism, supported by the input means;
• differencing means for establishing a rotary speed relationship between the input means and the output means, the differencing means frictionally engaging the output means at a first zone and frictionally engaging the input means at a second zone, the distance of the first zone and the distance of the second zone from the central axis being essentially constant, said differencing means including a generally cylindrical element frictionally engaging both the input means and the output means at the first and second zones, and being rotatable about a ball axis, the ball axis being adjustable in a plane defined by said ball axis and the central axis such that the angle between the ball axis and the central axis is related to the relative rotational speeds of the input means and the output means, and the ball axis being movable through an angle of about 120.degree. including a position disposed between the first zone and the second zone so that the input means and the output means can rotate in the same direction as well as in opposite directions;
• loading means carried by the support means, engaging the differencing means to exert a radially outwardly directed force pressing the spherical element to the first zone and the second zone;
• and
• control means operably connected with the differencing means for regulating the differencing means to control the rotary speed relationship between the input means and the output means;
• wherein said generally spherical element is mounted on a gimbal having a gimbal axis generally perpendicular to the corresponding ball axis, the gimbal having a pair of ends slidably mounted in the support means for movement away from the central axis, each end being engaged by the loading means.

A differential mechanism comprising:

• support means for mounting the mechanism on a central axis;
• input means for delivering rotary power to the mechanism;
• output means for receiving rotary power from the mechanism, supported by the input means;
• differencing means for establishing a rotary speed relationship between the input means and the output means, the differencing means frictionally engaging the output means at a first zone and frictionally engaging the input means at a second zone, the distance of the first zone and the distance of the second zone from the central axis being essentially constant, said differencing means including a generally spherical element frictionally engaging both the input means and the output means at the first and second zones, and being rotatable about a ball axis, the ball axis being adjustable in a plane defined by said ball axis and the central axis such that the angle between the ball axis and the central axis is related to the relative rotational speeds of the input means and the output means, and the ball axis being movable through an angle of about 120.degree. including a position disposed between the first zone and the second zone so that the input means and the output means can rotate in the same direction as well as in opposite directions;
• loading means carried by the support means, engaging the differencing means to exert a radially outwardly directed force pressing the spherical element to the first zone and the second zone;
• and
• control means operably connected with the differencing means for regulating the differencing means to control the rotary speed relationship between the input means and the output means;
• wherein the input means includes an input shaft and a coaxial torque tube, each of which can be used to provide the input power.

A differential mechanism comprising:

• support means for mounting the mechanism on a central axis;
• input means for delivering rotary power to the mechanism;
• output means for receiving rotary power from the mechanism, supported by the input means;
• differencing means for establishing a rotary speed relationship between the input means and the output means, the differencing means frictionally engaging the output means at a first zone and frictionally engaging the input means at a second zone, the distance of the first zone and the distance of the second zone from the central axis being essentially constant, said differencing means including a generally spherical element frictionally engaging both the input means and the output means at the first and second zones, and being rotatable about a ball axis, the ball axis being adjustable in a plane defined by said ball axis and the central axis such that the angle between the ball axis and the central axis is related to the relative rotational speeds of the input means and the output means, and the ball axis being movable through an angle of about 120.degree. including a position disposed between the first zone and the second zone so that the input means and the output means can rotate in the same direction as well as in opposite directions;
• loading means carried by the support means, engaging the differencing means to exert a radially outwardly directed force pressing the spherical element to the first zone and the second zone;
• and
• control means operably connected with the differencing means for regulating the differencing means to control the rotary speed relationship between the input means and the output means;
• wherein the control means includes:
• an axially displaceable rod disposed within the shaft means;
• an axially displaceable shuttle positioned between the shaft means and a torque tube means;
• and
• means connecting the rod and the shuttle, the connecting means also being attached to the differencing means so that axial displacement of a rod adjusts the differencing means.

A differential mechanism comprising:

• support means for mounting the mechanism;
• input means for delivering rotary power to the mechanism;
• output means for receiving rotary power from the mechanism, supported by the input means;
• differencing means for establishing a rotary speed relationship between the input means and the output means, the differencing means frictionally engaging the output means and frictionally engaging the input means;
• loading means carried by the support means, engaging the differencing means to exert a radially outwardly directed force;
• and
• control means operably connected with the differencing means for regulating the differencing means to control the rotary speed relationship between the input means and the output means,
• including powered control means driven by the input means for regulating the differencing means, wherein the powered control means includes
• a threaded shaft carried by the support means;
• an axially translatable plate having a rotatable means for engaging the threaded shaft;
• torque extension means driven by the input means in opposing direction and juxtaposed to the rotatable means;
• clutch means operable to connect the torque extension means with the rotatable means;
• and
• control means for the clutch means for causing selective engagement between the torque extension means and the rotatable means.

A differential mechanism comprising:

• support means for mounting the mechanism on a central axis;
• input means for delivering rotary power to the mechanism;
• output means for receiving rotary power from the mechanism, supported by the input means;
• differencing means for establishing a rotary speed relationship between the input means and the output means, the differencing means frictionally engaging the output means at a first zone and frictionally engaging the input means at a second zone, the distance of the first zone and the distance of the second zone from the central axis being essentially constant, said differencing means including a generally spherical element frictionally engaging both the input means and the output means at the first and second zones, and being rotatable about a ball axis, the ball axis being adjustable in a plane defined by said ball axis and the central axis such that the angle between the ball axis and the central axis is related to the relative rotational speeds of the input means and the output means, and the ball axis being movable through an angle of about 120.degree. including a position disposed between the first zone and the second zone so that the input means and the output means can rotate in the same direction as well as in opposite directions;
• loading means carried by the support means, engaging the differencing means to exert a radially outwardly directed force pressing the spherical element to the first zone and the second zone;
• and
• control means operably connected with the differencing means for regulating the differencing means to control the rotary speed relationship between the input means and the output means;
• wherein a gimbal means mounts the spherical element, the gimbal means having a gimbal axis which is perpendicular to the plane containing the ball axis and displaced from the central axis.