Planetary differential gear system provided with a differential action limiting mechanism
US5527229A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 21, 1995 |
| Grant date | Jun 18, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 21, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16H48/10
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In a planetary differential gear system using helical gears, a clutch is interposed between a carrier for planetary gears and a differential casing, and adapted to be engaged by an axial thrust force produced by a sun gear. First and second axle shafts are provided with splined internal ends which are received in complementary bores of the sun gear and the carrier, respectively. The first axle shaft is received in a bore of the differential casing so as to be freely slidable and rotatable jointly with the sun gear. Therefore, the thrust force produced by the sun gear when a drive input is applied to the differential system can be transmitted to the friction clutch without being obstructed by the friction produced by the splined coupling between the first axle shaft and the sun gear, or disturbed by any unpredictable force of engagement between the first axle shaft and the sun gear. In this case, by providing a suitable arrangement for limiting a movement of the carrier in a direction to engage the clutch within a first prescribed range, it is possible to prevent any metallic contacts in the friction plates of the clutch even when the friction plates are substantially worn out.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.