Cam type gearless interaxle differential mechanism
AssigneeAutomotive Products plc
InventorsJohn Spooner, Alastair J. Young, John P. Chippendale
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A differential mechanism having two output cam members rotatable about an axis, each cam member having a single annular cam surface of undulating form comprising pairs of mutually inclined surfaces. The inclined surfaces are engaged by end surfaces of followers so that relative contra rotation of the output cam members causes the cam followers to slide axially. An Input element engages and supports the followers and moves the followers circumferentially relative to the output cam members. The input element engages with a radially inner portion of each cam follower to move the follower circumferentially relative to the cam output members, and the cam surfaces are inclined away from the axis of rotation.
Claims18
A differential mechanism (10) comprising two output cam members (22,23) rotatable about an axis (A) each said member having a single annular cam surface thereon of undulating form comprising pairs of mutually inclined surfaces (24,25:
- 26,27) and a plurality of cam followers (28) having end surfaces (29,30:
- 32,33) engaging the cam surfaces of the output cam members, the arrangement being such that relative contra rotation of said output cam members (22,23) causes the cam followers (28) to slide axially, and an input element (16) engaging the followers which are slidably supported by the input element and moving the followers circumferentially relative to the output cam members, characterised in that the input element (16) engaged with a radially inner portion (36) of each cam follower to move the follower circumferentially relative to the cam output members (22,23), and the cam surfaces (24,25:
- 26,27) face inwardly (P,P2) towards the axis of rotation (A).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.