Locking differential with electromagnetic actuated clutch

A limited slip differential gear assembly for driving each axle of a pair of coaxially aligned vehicle axle at the same relative speed and at relatively different speeds under various conditions, said assembly comprising:

• an outer housing, a differential gear mechanism rotatably mounted in said housing, means for connecting said axles to said differential gear mechanism, said differential gear mechanism having component parts operatively linking said axles to one another such that one axle can rotate relative to the other, said component parts having at least two members which rotate relative to each other during relative rotation between said axles, said differential gear mechanism includes a surrounding case formed of two separable case members affixed together by threaded fasteners and load bearing dowel pins, a remotely controllable clutch means capable of producing a variable resistance to differential rotation of said axles, said clutch means having a plurality of annular clutch disks with alternate disks being keyed to one of said two relatively rotatable members and intermediate disks keyed to the other of said two rotatable members, said clutch disks being collectively designated as a clutch pack said clutch means having an electromagnet means for applying a first variable force laterally against said clutch pack to increase resistance to rotation between adjacent disks, said electromagnet means includes a stationary electromagnetc affixed to the inside of said outer housing, an annular steel armature disposed on the outside of one of said case members, said armature being spaced by an air gap an effective distance from said electromagnet and coaxially disposed with respect thereto, a clutch cage containing said clutch pack, said clutch cage being connected to said armature by means of legs and fasteners, said legs extend through apertures in a side wall of said one case member to an annular pressure plate integrally connected to the distal ends of said legs, compression springs disposed between said armature and said one case members provide a trace preload on said clutch pack, and means for applying a supplemental force laterally against at least some of said disks in the event of continuing relative rotation of said axles after said first force has been applied.

A limited slip differential gear assembly for driving each axle of a pair of coaxially aligned vehicle axes at the same relative speed and at different relative speeds under various conditions, said assembly comprising:

• an outer housing, a differential gear case rotatably supported on bearings in said housing, an annular gear with inwardly facing teeth integrally formed on the inside of said case, a coaxially disposed planetary wheel assembly having a plurality of spaced apart pairs of meshed planet gears rotatably mounted on parallel transverse pins, one gear of each pair being mounted closer to the wheel periphery than the other gear of each pair, the outer gear of each pair meshing with said annular gear, a coaxially disposed sun gear meshing with the innermost gear of each pair of planet gears, and a remotely controllable electromagnetic clutch means having a plurality of annular clutch disks disposed side-by-side with alternate disks slidably keyed respectively to said sun gear and said case, said clutch means includes a clutch cage on t he inside of said gear case, said cage having a pressure plate, a plurality of spaced apart parallel legs integrally attached to the periphery of said pressure plate, said legs extending through apertures in the sidewall of said case to an annular steel armature disposed coaxially on the outside of said case where the free ends of said legs are affixed to said armature, a means for providing a trace preload laterally against said disks, and a coaxially disposed stationary annular electromagnet spaced axially from the outside of said armature an effective distance, said electromagnet being affixed to the inside of said outer housing.

A limited slip differential gear assembly for driving each axle of a pair of coaxially aligned vehicle axles at the same relative speed and at different relative speeds under various conditions, said assembly comprising:

• an outer housing, a differential gear case rotatably supported on bearings in said housing, an annular gear with inwardly facing teeth integrally formed on the inside of said case, a coaxially disposed planetary wheel assembly having a plurality of spaced apart pairs of meshed planet gears rotatably mounted on parallel transverse pins, one gear of each pair being mounted closer to the wheel periphery than the other gear of each pair, the outer gear of each pair meshing with said annular gear, a coaxially disposed sun gear meshing with the innermost gear of each pair of planet gears, and a clutch means having a plurality of annular clutch disks disposed side-by-side with alternate disks slidably keyed respectively to said sun gear and said case, said clutch means includes a clutch cage having a pressure plate, a plurality of spaced apart parallel legs integrally attached to the periphery of said pressure plate, said legs extending through apertures in the side wall of said case to annular steel armature disposed on the outside of said case where the free ends of said legs are affixed to said armature, a plurality of compression springs contained in sockets on the opposing faces of said armature and case, and a stationary annular electromagnet spaced axially form the outside of said armature an effective distance.