Switchable differential drive

US5352164A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• GKN Automotive Limited · DE

Inventors

• Jorg Bensinger · Hennef (Sieg), DE
• John R. Botterill · Riegelsberg, DE
• Karl-Heinz Hulsebusch

Key dates

• Filing date: May 21, 1993
• Grant date: Oct 4, 1994
• Expiry date: May 21, 2013

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S903/946
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A switchable differential drive, preferably for a vehicle driven by an electric motor, has a differential drive housing, a drivable differential carrier rotatably supported in the housing, two axle shaft gears supported therein, which are connected to output shafts extending out of the differential carrier and which are connected to one another via differential gears. A first output shaft is designed directly as an axle shaft and a second output shaft is coaxially supported in the first axle shaft. Two switching couplings are arranged coaxially relative to the latter axle shaft. To obtain a first gear stage, the first switching coupling is engaged, thereby non-rotatingly connecting the output shaft to the axle shaft, while the second switching coupling is open. To obtain a second gear stage with one wheel drive, the second switching coupling is engaged, thereby non-rotatingly connecting the output shaft to the differential drive housing while the other switching coupling is open.