Limited slip differential
AssigneeSte Pierre Ferry
InventorMichel Gobert
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a limited slip differential of the general type wherein when one of the driving wheels begins to slip or loses traction driving power is transmitted to the wheel retaining traction. The unique features of this invention involve utilizing engine input torque as the force for progressively actuating a clutch to couple differential elements to direct power to a driving wheel having traction; constantly sensing the differences between the engine input torque and the resistive torques of the driving wheels; and limiting the resistive torque of the driving wheels which can act in opposition to the clutch-applying force of the engine input torque to the differential.
Claims12
A self-locking differential gear assembly of the type including an input element, a pair of output elements adapted respectively to be connected to wheel driving output shafts, coupling mechanism movable to connect two of the three input and output elements, a first pair of torque responsive devices respectively operatively connected to each output shaft, said torque responsive device being adapted to generate force to oppose the connecting movement of the coupling mechanism when the resistive torque of the output elements is above a given value;
- the improvement wherein:
- an engine output torque responsive mechanism operatively connected to the input element and adapted to impart a connecting movement force to the coupling mechanism;
- the torque difference between the engine output torque responsive means and at least one of the said first pair of torque responsive devices imparting movement to oppose the connecting force of the coupling mechanism, each of said first pair of torque responsive devices including stop elements for limiting the force opposing the coupling mechanism connecting movement force of the engine output torque responsive mechanism.
A self-locking differential gear assembly/of the type including an engine output driven member, an input gear element connected to said member, a pair of gear elements adapted respectively to be connected to wheel driving output shafts, a coupling mechanism movable to connect two of the three input and output gear means, first and second torque responsive devices respectively operatively connected to each output shaft, each torque responsive device being adapted to generate a force to oppose the connecting movement of the coupling mechanism when the resistive torque of the output elements is above a given value;
- the improvement wherein:
- a third torque responsive device operatively connected to the engine output driven member and adapted to impart a connecting movement force to the coupling mechanism;
- the torque difference between the third torque responsive device and at least one of the said first and second torque responsive devices imparting movement to oppose the connecting force of the coupling mechanism.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.