Differential unit

US5106349A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• GKN Automotive Limited · DE

Inventors

• John R. Botterill · Riegelsberg, DE
• Helmut Mildt · Lindlar, DE
• Gerald Kuhn · Cologne, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 18, 1990
• Grant date: Apr 21, 1992
• Expiry date: May 18, 2010

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T74/2101
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A differential unit comprises a differential carrier (12) supported in a housing (1) for rotation; output elements (16, 17) differentially rotatable relative to the carrier and connected to respective output shafts, differential gears connecting the output elements, and a friction assembly comprising a number of plates (22) rotationally fast with one element of the differential interleaved with a number of plates (24) rotationally fast with another element of the differential, the friction plates being axially loadable into frictional engagement with one another to restrict the differential rotation of the output elements. The friction plates are loadable by an actuating mechanism comprising an abutment ring (54) fixed in the housing and an actuating ring (28) movable angularly and axially relative thereto, with cam surfaces provided by circumferentially extending variable depth grooves (47, 48) in the rings with balls (49) therebetween engaging the grooves. The cam grooves are arranged so that on angular movement of the actuating ring initially the rate of change of axial position thereof is high and then becomes lower with further angular movement.