Speed sensitive on-demand torque coupling differential
US6059680A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 23, 1999 |
| Grant date | May 9, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 23, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16H48/27
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An axle case assembly is provided with a speed sensitive torque coupling mechanism used to transmit torque from the ring gear to a planetary differential assembly. The differential assembly provides torque transfer proportional to the speed difference between the ring gear sub-assembly and a planetary gear set sub-assembly, wherein the invention splits a differential case assembly into two primary pieces and a speed sensitive mechanism is installed between each piece. The mechanism is entirely contained inside an axle differential case assembly. An optional limited slip device may be provided for the differential gears. The torque transmission coupling assembly eliminates the need for a center differential in the transfer case, i.e. an interaxle differential, thereby reducing the driveline complexity and cost without requiring a separate torque coupling in the transfer case or in-line with the driveline.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.