Locking differential
AssigneeVehicular Technologies, Inc.
InventorsJohn H. Zentmyer, Mark V. Tyson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A locking differential is provided for selectably locking a first axle to a second axle. The locking differential utilizes a dog clutch assembly characterized by two interlocking clutch members positioned between the differential side gears on opposing sides of the differential pinion shaft. The interlocking clutch members have face splines thereon for engaging corresponding face splines formed on the side gears. An actuating mechanism can be selectably activated to force the two interlocking members into engagement with the side gears.
Claims24
A locking differential kit adapted for assembly into a casing of a differential gear assembly disposed between a first drive axle shaft and a second drive axle shaft for converting said differential gear assembly into a locking differential gear assembly which can be selectably actuated to lock said first drive axle shaft to said second drive axle shaft, said locking differential kit comprising:
- first and second differential side gears adapted to be angularly fixed with respect to each said first and second drive axle shafts, each said differential side gears having an inner face and an outer face, said inner face having a face spline formed thereon;
- first and second interlocking members adapted to be installed on either side of a pinion shaft of said differential gear assembly, each said interlocking member having an inner face and an outer face, said outer face having formed thereon a corresponding face spline adapted to engage said face spline formed on the inner face of each said differential side gear, such that when said locking differential kit is assembled into said vehicular differential gear assembly casing, said interlocking members can be moved into selective engagement with said first and second differential side gears so as to prevent substantial rotational differentiation thereof;
- a remotely activated actuator comprising a mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic transducer for causing said interlocking member to engage said differential side gears whereby a selectable locking differential is achieved.
A locking differential assembly for selectably locking a first drive axle shaft to a second drive axle shaft, said locking differential assembly comprising:
- first and second differential side gears having teeth and adapted to be angularly fixed with respect to said first and second drive axle shafts;
- one or more differential pinion gears rotatably mounted on a pinion shaft and operable between said first and second differential side gears for allowing rotational differentiation of said differential side gears;
- a locking mechanism for selectably locking said first and second differential side gears relative to one another, said locking mechanism comprising first and second interlocking members adapted to be installed on either side of said pinion shaft, each said interlocking member having an inner face and an outer face, said outer face having formed thereon a face spline adapted to engage a corresponding face spline formed on an inner face of each said first and second differential side gears, said interlocking members being adapted to be moved into selective engagement with said first and second differential side gears for substantially preventing rotational differentiation of said differential side gears.
A locking mechanism for selectably locking a first differential side gear to a second differential side gear of a differential gear assembly, said locking mechanism comprising a pair of interlocking members adapted to be installed on either side of a pinion shaft of said differential gear assembly, each said interlocking member being substantially interchangeable with the other and comprising at least one male engagement member and at least one female engagement member adapted to engage one another so as to prevent significant relative rotational movement of said interlocking members, each said interlocking member further having formed on an outer face thereof a face spline adapted to selectably engage a corresponding mating face spline formed on an inner face of each said first and second differential side gears, such that said interlocking members can be moved into selective engagement with said first and second differential side gears so as to prevent substantial rotational differentiation thereof.
A locking differential kit adapted for assembly into an existing vehicular differential for converting an ordinary differential gear assembly into a locking differential gear assembly which can be selectably actuated to lock a first drive axle shaft to a second drive axle shaft, said locking differential kit comprising:
- first and second interlocking clutch members adapted to be installed on either side of a pinion shaft of said differential gear assembly, each said interlocking clutch members comprising engagement means for selectably engaging a pair of differential side gears so as to prevent substantial rotational differentiation thereof;
- an actuator member responsive to a mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic actuation signal for causing said clutch members to engage said differential side gears;
- and
- a threaded member for securing a housing cover to a vehicular differential housing, said threaded member having a passageway formed therein for allowing transmission of said actuation signal to said actuator member;
- whereby a selectably actuated locking vehicular differential is achieved.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.