Differential apparatus with two wheel/four wheel drive switching mechanism
US6015361A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 29, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jan 18, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 29, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16H2200/2071
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A differential apparatus includes a differential casing, a pair of output side gears disposed in the differential casing, a differential mechanism distributing driving force of an engine, a clutch for operatively connecting the differential casing with the axles of the vehicle, an actuator for releasing the clutch from its connecting operation, and an urging member for causing the clutch to connect the differential casing with the axles of the vehicle. When the actuator is inactivated, the urging member serves to attain the connecting operation of the clutch. Therefore, even if the actuator is in a bad condition, four-wheel driving condition of the vehicle can be maintained. Therefore, the differential apparatus allows the vehicle to escape from a bad road.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.