Differential unit
AssigneeGroup Lotus P/C
InventorsGraham H. Mace, Andrew C. Thompson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A differential unit has axially aligned helically toothed output gears of different diameters to provide an unequal division of the input torque, in meshing relationship with two sets of intermediate gears which mesh together and are rotatable on axes parallel to the output gear axis. The gears of one set of intermediate gears mesh with concentric internally and externally toothed output gears to provide alternative outputs at different torque division rates. Slip within the unit can be opposed by frictional coating on the gears and/or on the housing by which they are carried and/or by a damping fluid which may be an electro-rheological fluid.
Claims19
A differential unit comprising:
- a gear carrier designed for rotation about a first axis;
- means on said carrier whereby said carrier can be rotated about said first axis;
- first and second toothed output gears of different diameters, each gear being mounted in the carrier for rotation about the first axis;
- a first plurality of intermediate gears, each journalled in a pocket in the carrier to rotate with respect to the carrier about a first plurality of intermediate gear axes spaced from and parallel to the first axis, said first plurality of axes being equally spaced from the first axis at a first radial distance therefrom, and each of the first plurality of intermediate gears in driving engagement with the first output gear,
- a second plurality of intermediate gears each journalled in a pocket in the carrier to rotate with respect to the carrier about a second plurality of intermediate gear axes spaced from and parallel to the first axes, said second plurality of axes being equally spaced from the first axis at a second radial distance therefrom, each of the second plurality of intermediate gears in driving engagement with the second output gear;
- wherein at least one of the first plurality of intermediate gears meshes with at least one of the second plurality of intermediate gears and the said second radial distance between the second plurality of intermediate gear axes and the first axis is larger than the first radial distance between the first plurality of intermediate gear axes and the first axis.
A differential unit comprising:
- a gear carrier designed for rotation about a first axis,
- means on said carrier whereby said carrier can be rotated about said first axis;
- first and second output gears of different diameters, each being mounted in the carrier for rotation about the first axis and each having external teeth;
- a first plurality of intermediate gears, each journalled in a pocket in the carrier to rotate with respect to the carrier about a first plurality of intermediate gear axes spaced from and parallel to the first axis, said first plurality of axes being equally spaced from the first axis at a first radial distance therefrom, and each of the first plurality of intermediate gears having external teeth which mesh with the external teeth of the first output gear;
- a second plurality of intermediate gears, each journalled in a pocket in the carrier to rotate with respect to the carrier about a second plurality of intermediate gear axes spaced from and parallel to the first axis, said second plurality axes being equally spaced from the first axis at a second radial distance therefrom, and each of the second plurality of intermediate gears having external teeth which mesh with the second output gear;
- wherein at least one of the first plurality of intermediate gears has external teeth which mesh with the external teeth of at least one of the second plurality of intermediate gears and the said second radial distance between the second plurality of intermediate gear axes and the first axis is larger than the first radial distance between the first plurality of intermediate gear axes and the first axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.