Modulating clutch having passive torque throughout threshold

A differential for use in a four-wheel drive vehicle comprising, in combination,

• an input member,
• a pair of output members, and
• a pair of modulating clutch assemblies, each of said modulating clutches having a first plurality of clutch discs disposed for rotation with said input member, a second plurality of clutch discs interleaved with said first plurality of clutch discs and disposed for rotation with said output member,
• a clutch operator for compressing said first and said second pluralities of clutch discs, said clutch operator having an assembly including a pair of opposed members defining a plurality of ramped recesses, and a like plurality of load transferring members disposed in a respective one of said recesses and an electromagnetic coil for retarding rotation of one or aid opposed members, and
• means for operably associated with said pluralities of clutch discs providing a predetermined level of frictional coupling between said input member and said output member.

A differential for use in an adaptive four-wheel drive vehicle comprising, in combination,

• an input shaft,
• a drive member disposed perpendicularly to said input shaft,
• a gear set for transferring rotational energy from said input shaft to said drive member,
• a pair of output shafts aligned with said drive member and
• a pair of modulating clutch assemblies, one of said pair of modulating clutch assemblies disposed between and selectively coupling each of said output shafts with said drive member, each of said modulating clutches including a disc pack and first operator for adjustably compressing said disc pack, said first operator having an assembly including a pair of opposed members defining a plurality of ramped recesses, a like plurality of load transferring members disposed in a respective one of aid recesses and an electromagnetic coil for retarding rotation of one of said opposed members, and a second operator for providing a predetermined level of frictional coupling through said disc pack.