US 5,183,446 AGranted

Differential mechanism

OwnerRichard E. Hughesinventor

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Abstract

Limited slip differential, e.g. for vehicle transmissions, seen in FIG. 1, has a carrier (18) rotating about a first axis in a support casing (12) typically driven by a crown wheel (22) and main drive pinion (24). A pair of output half shafts (14, 16) on said axis have output pinions (28, 30) within the carrier meshing with at least one, and preferably a pair, of planet pinions (32, 34) journalled in the carrier on a second axis normal to first axis to allow differential motion of the output shafts while transmitting drive to both from the rotating carrier in known manner. Controlled shifting of the planet gear(s) relative to the carrier by angular displacement of the second axis in a diametral plane of the first axis from a neutral position to an inhibiting position, e.g. by displacement of a planet gear shaft (36) in slots (38) of the carrier, when the carrier is subjected to drive torque brings formations, e.g. end faces (42, 44) of the planet gears, into braking engagement with formations (46, 48) of the carrier so as to inhibit the differential action.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A limited slip differential mechanism including a supporting formation, a carrier journalled on or in said formation for operatively driven rotation about a first axis, a pair of driven output elements each journalled for independent rotation about said first axis, and at least one planet gear journalled in the carrier for rotation therewith and itself rotatable about a second axis normal to the first axis, said planet gear being meshed with both output elements to transmit drive thereto in common from the carrier while permitting differential motion of the output elements relative to each other;

characterized in that said planet gear can shift relative to the carrier by angular displacement of the second axis relative to the carrier in a plane normal to the first axis between a neutral position at which the planet gear can rotate freely in providing said differential motion and an inhibiting position at which rotation of said gear is resisted or prevented by direct or indirect coaction between the planet gear and a braking or stop formation of or on the carrier whereby the differential motion is inhibited automatically as a function of the transmitted driving force transmitted through the carrier.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.