Caged helical gear differential
OwnerThomas M. McCawinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A torque proportioning differential utilizing helical face side gears and helical pinions is disclosed which is equivalent in torque capacity and interchangeable with bevel gear differentials in the same case and which is economical to manufacture. A differential structure, interchangeable with bevel gear differential components in the same case, composed of a drive cage in which are pocketed up to 8 helical pinions; two helical face side gears in concentric relationship on each side of the cage with teeth engaging the helical pinions; thrust-friction plates fixed alternately to the side gears and the cage and spring mechanism for pre-loading the friction plates. The helical face side gears connect with axle shafts to drive the load.
Claims17
A torque proportioning differential comprising a differential case, first and second helical face gears coaxially mounted in meshing engagement with a plurality of helical pinions therein, a pinion cage, said pinion cage being separate from said differential case, said pinion cage being nonrotatively mounted to said differential case, said pinion cage having holes, and said helical pinions mounted in said holes in said pinion cage with axes extending substantially radially thereof with said pinion cage supporting said helical pinions on their outside surfaces in meshing engagement with the first and second face gears.
A torque proportioning differential comprising a differential case enclosing first and second helical face side gears coaxially mounted in meshing engagement with a plurality of helical pinions, a pinion cage, said pinion cage being separate from said differential case, said pinion cage being mounted in said differential case for rotation therewith, said pinion cage having holes, the axes of said holes extending substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said side gears, and said helical pinions being mounted in said holes for rotation therein with said pinion cage supporting said helical pinions on their outside surfaces in meshing engagement with the first and second face gears.
A torque proportioning differential comprising a differential case enclosing first and second helical face side gears coaxially mounted in meshing engagement with a plurality of helical pinions, a pinion cage, said pinion cage being separate from said differential case, said pinion cage having stubs extending radially off the outer diameter thereof, said stubs engaging said differential case for nonrotatively connecting said pinion cage to said differential case, said pinion cage having two sides, each of said sides having an annular channel therein, the helical faces of said first and second helical face gears extending respectively into said annular channels, said pinion cage having holes, the axes of said holes extending substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said side gears, said holes opening into said annular channels in said sides of said pinion cage, and said helical pinions being mounted in said holes in said pinion cage for rotation therein.
An improvement for a helical differential having a case and helical pinions between helical face side gears, the helical pinions developing a side thrust on the helical face side gears, said improvement comprising a pinion cage, means to connect said pinion cage to the case, means to rotatively mount the helical pinions in said pinion cage, said rotatively mounting means supporting said helical pinions on their outside surfaces in meshing engagement with the first and second face gears, a friction surface, means to connect said friction surface to a helical face side gear for rotation therewith, a second friction surface, means to connect said second friction surface to said pinion cage and means for the side thrust of the helical face side gears to engage said friction surface with said second friction surface so as to produce a torque proportioning effect.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.