# US 5,350,340 A · Lockable differential gear

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- Number: US 5,350,340 A
- Document ID: US5350340A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 07/671,768
- Filed: 1991-03-27
- Granted: 1994-09-27
- Earliest claimed: 1988-10-05
- Assignees: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
- Inventors: Michael Paul; Eberhard Wilks; Peter Sigl
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5350340A

## CPC

- F16H 57/037: Gearboxes for accommodating differential gearings (rotating cases for differential gearings F16H48/40)
- B60K 17/3462: {with means for changing distribution of torque between front and rear wheels}
- F16H 48/08: comprising bevel gears
- F16H 48/22: using friction clutches or brakes
- F16H 48/24: using positive clutches or brakes
- F16H 48/32: using fluid pressure actuators
- F16H 48/34: using electromagnetic or electric actuators
- F16H 48/40: characterised by features of the rotating cases
- F16H 2048/082: {characterised by the arrangement of output shafts}
- F16H 2048/204: {Control of arrangements for suppressing differential actions}
- F16H 2048/346: {using a linear motor}
- F16H: GEARING
- B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES

## Abstract

In a differential, a clutch links an axially stationary planet carrier with an axially mobile output shaft so that they rotate together. Engaging gears with engaging surfaces parallel to the main axis link an axially stationary clutch part with the output shaft so that they rotate together. Engaging gears with engaging surfaces parallel to the main axis link an axially mobile clutch part with the planet carrier so that they rotate together.

## Claims

### Claim 1

Differential gear having these features:
An axially stationary planet carrier (1) drives two center gears (10, 11) over at least one planetary gear (8),
each center gear (10, 11) drives an axially mobile output shaft (14, 15),
at least one actuatable clutch (18 or 36) with an axially stationary and an axially mobile component (19, 20) connects the planet carrier (1) with an output shaft (15),
the stationary clutch component (19) is corotatably connected with the output shaft (15),
a gear housing (5) has an intermediate ring part (7) between a first and a second main component (4, 27);
the planet carrier (1) is supported by a first bearing (3) in the first main component (4) and by a second bearing (6) in the intermediate ring part (7),
the mobile clutch component (20) is corotatably connected with the planet carrier (1), characterized by these features:
the stationary clutch component (19) is supported by two axial bearings (21, 22) axially fixed with respect to the second main component (27).

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

Differential gear according to claim 1 with the following features:
The actuatable clutch (36) is a friction clutch;
the intermediate ring part (7) forms a cylinder for a piston (39) and with the piston (39) a chamber (40);
pressure fluid in the chamber (40) produces a friction torque of the clutch (36).

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

Differential gear according to claim 2 with the following features:
The clutch (36) is a disk clutch with outer disks (37) in an outer disk carrier and inner disks (38) on an inner disk carrier;
the mobile clutch component (20) forms the outer disk carrier;
the stationary clutch component (19) forms the inner disk carrier.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

Differential gear according to claim 1 having the following features:
A first brake (45) connects a first output shaft (14) with the first main component (4);
a second brake (46) connects the second output shaft (15) with the second main component (27).

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

Differential gear according to claim 2 having the following features:
a brake (60) connects the planet carrier (1) with the first main component (4);
a logical circuit controls the friction coupling (36) when the brake is actuated.