US 6,183,386 B2 · Differential containing rheological fluid

Abstract

A vehicle differential includes a case which is rotatably supported within an axle housing. The case is formed having a center wall which divides the interior of thereof into first and second fluid chambers. The ends of a pair of axle shafts extend into the case and respectively within the fluid chambers. Each of the fluid chambers is filled with a rheological fluid. Respective electromagnetic coils are disposed within or adjacent to each of the fluid chambers. An electronic controller is provided for supplying electrical current to each of the electromagnetic coils in response to sensed operating conditions of the vehicle, such as rotational speed and torque of the axle shafts. By varying the magnitude of the electrical current supplied to the electromagnetic coils, the strength of the magnetic field applied to the rheological fluid contained in each of fluid chambers can be varied. As a result, the resistance to flow or shear of the rheological fluid, which affects the amount of torque which is transmitted from the rotatably driven case to each of the axe shafts, can be varied in response to the operating conditions of the vehicle.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A differential comprising:

a hollow case defining an interior and adapted for rotation about an axis, said case including an internal wall that divides said interior of said case into first and second fluid chambers, each of said first and second chambers containing a magneto-rheological fluid;
a first output shaft having a first end extending within said first fluid chamber of said case and a second end extending outwardly from said case;
a second output shaft having a first end extending within said second fluid chamber of said case and a second end extending outwardly from said case;
and
an electromagnet disposed within one of said first and second chambers and formed separately from said wall for selectively applying a magnetic energy field to said magneto-rheological fluid contained within one of said first and second chambers.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Differential containing rheological fluid

Life of this patent

Differential containing rheological fluid

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13