Patent · US Expired

Torque-sensing locking differential with reduced parts

US6286391A · kind A · utility

9Cited by
6References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateAug 31, 1999
Grant dateSep 11, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 31, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T74/19005
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A locking differential in which the two side gears comprise end toothings facing one another, and the differential component is a differential disc with end toothings on both faces, with the end toothings on each face co-operating with one of the side gears' end toothings. The number of teeth of each pair of inter-engaging end toothings differs by one, and the ratio of the number of teeth of both pairs of toothings is unequal. The differential disc is mounted to wobble between the side gears so that, by means of diametrically-opposed portions of its two sets of end toothings, it engages the associated sets of end toothings of the side gears. The desired ratios of the numbers of teeth exist if the differential disc is provided with end toothings with identical numbers of teeth, and one side gear comprises a set of end toothings having one tooth fewer (z=n-1) and the other side gear having one tooth more. It is thus possible to achieve an unequal distribution of torque between the two side gears. The desired ratios of the numbers of teeth also are achieved by having both side gears provided with end toothings with identical numbers of teeth, and the differential disc is provided with…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.