Electromagnetically-actuated limited slip differential
AssigneeAuburn Gear, Inc.
InventorsJames L. Forrest, Robert Leeper, James P. Scott
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A differential assembly including a rotatable casing, first and second axially moveable side gears disposed within the casing, at least one pinion gear disposed within the casing and intermeshed with the side gears, a cone clutch operatively coupled to the first side gear, the cone clutch being frictionally coupled to the casing in response to being exposed to a magnetic field, and a disc clutch having at least one clutch disc operatively coupled to the second side gear in response to axial movement of the second side gear.
Claims13
A differential assembly comprising:
- a rotatable casing;
- first and second axially moveable side gears disposed within said casing;
- at least one pinion gear disposed within said casing and intermeshed with said side gears;
- a cone clutch operatively coupled to said first side gear, said cone clutch adapted to be frictionally coupled to said casing in response to being exposed to a magnetic field;
- and
- a disc clutch having at least one clutch disc operatively coupled to said second side gear in response to axial movement of said second side gear.
A differential assembly comprising:
- a rotatable casing having two opposite ends;
- a differential gear mechanism and a magnetically-activated clutch disposed within said rotatable casing, at least a portion of said gear mechanism being selectively frictionally engageable with said casing by means of said clutch;
- an electromagnet disposed proximal to one of said casing ends;
- and
- a ring gear secured to said rotatable casing at a location proximal to the other of said casing ends.
A differential assembly comprising:
- a rotatable casing having opposite ends;
- a differential gear mechanism and a magnetically-activated cone clutch disposed within said rotatable casing, at least a portion of said gear mechanism being selectively frictionally engageable with said casing by means of said clutch;
- an electromagnet disposed proximal to one of said casing ends;
- and
- a ring gear secured to said rotatable casing at a location proximal to the other of said casing ends.
A differential assembly comprising:
- a rotatable casing;
- a differential gear mechanism having first and second side gears disposed in said casing, a magnetically-activated cone clutch disposed within said casing, at least a portion of said gear mechanism being selectively frictionally engaged with said casing by said clutch, and a clutch disc pack having a plurality of interleaved clutch discs operatively coupled to said second side gear and a plurality of clutch discs operatively coupled to said rotatable casing;
- an electromagnet disposed proximal to said casing, said casing and said electromagnet relatively rotatable with respect to each other;
- and
- a self lubricating bearing disposed between said electromagnet and said casing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.