Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a parking brake system for a motorized vehicle, which uses a differential. Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a differential for an automotive drive, which can be used by such a parking brake. The differential comprises a transmission housing, a transmission input, two transmission output shafts, and a rotary transmission for distributing performance effective on the transmission output shafts at the transmission input, the rotary transmission comprising at least four transmission elements, of which two transmission elements are configured as a central gear, at least one transmission element as a rotary gear, and a transmission element as a rotary gear carrier, wherein the rotary gear carrier is coupled with the transmission input and one of the central gears each is coupled with one of the transmission output shafts.

Abstract: A limited slip differential assembly includes first and second output gears in constant meshed engagement with a pinion gear. Each of the gears is rotatably positioned within a carrier housing. The second output gear is axially moveable. A rotary to linear motion actuator includes a rotatable first member and a second member axially moveable in response to rotation of the first member. A primary clutch drivingly interconnects the second output gear and the first member of the actuator. The primary clutch includes an apply plate coupled to the second output gear such that an axial force acting on the second output gear during torque transmission through the differential assembly is transferred to the primary clutch via the apply plate. A secondary clutch drivingly interconnects the second output gear and the carrier housing. The second member of the actuator provides an apply force to the secondary clutch.

Abstract: An electronic differential lock assembly includes a shift collar that is movable in response to an electronic signal from an unlocked position where axle shaft speed differentiation under predetermined conditions is permitted to a locked position where a pair of axle shafts is fixed for rotation together. Speed differentiation is provided by a differential that includes a differential gear assembly supported within a differential case. A coil surrounds the shift collar and is selectively energized to move the shift collar from the unlocked position to the locked position. The shift collar is splined to one of the axle shafts and is selectively splined to the differential case to lock the axle shafts together. The electronic differential lock assembly includes a return spring that automatically disengages the shift collar from the differential case once the coil is no longer energized.

Abstract: A drive axle assembly comprises a carrier member having a trunnion outwardly extending from the carrier member, an output shaft axially outwardly extending from the carrier member, a differential assembly including a differential case supported for rotation within the carrier member and a side gear rotatably mounted about the output shaft, a clutch collar non-rotatably coupled thereto and configured to selectively drivingly engage the side gear, and an annular clutch actuator for axially moving the clutch collar between a first position and a second position. The clutch collar drivingly engages the side gear in power transmitting relationship in the first position, while the clutch collar is disengaged from the side gear in the second position.

Abstract: An electronic differential lock assembly includes a shift collar that is movable in response to an electronic signal from an unlocked position where axle shaft speed differentiation under predetermined conditions is permitted to a locked position where a pair of axle shafts are fixed for rotation together. Speed differentiation is provided by a differential that includes a differential gear assembly supported within a differential case. A coil surrounds the shift collar and is selectively energized to move the shift collar from the unlocked position to the locked position. The shift collar is splined to one of the axle shafts and is selectively splined to the differential case to lock the axle shafts together. The electronic differential lock assembly includes a return spring that automatically disengages the shift collar from the differential case once the coil is no longer energized.

Abstract: A differential is provided that includes a case, a cam side gear disposed proximate a first end of the case, and a side gear disposed proximate a second end of the case. The side gears have respective hubs. The differential further includes a first clutch pack disposed around the hub of the side gear. The differential further includes an annular engaging member disposed between the side gear and the case.

Abstract: A clutch assembly for a locking differential includes driving clutch members engaged with driven clutch members in a preloaded configuration to provide a minimum amount of preload there between during low torque conditions. The driving clutch members are biased relative to each other with shear pin/spring assemblies located within bores of the driving clutch members. During assembly of the clutch assembly, the shear pin/spring assemblies may be positively locked down within the bores with a removable tool. In one embodiment, the removable tool is inserted into a small opening extending through the driving clutch member and the tool engages an annular groove on a shear pin of the shear pin/spring assembly. Further, the clutch assembly may include driving clutch members having drainage openings that may help prevent hydraulic lock during operation of the locking differential.

Abstract: The invention relates to a differential gear having a differential housing in which two conical compensating gears are rotatably supported about a first axis of rotation and two conical output gears meshing with the compensating gears are rotatably supported about a second axis of rotation oriented at right angles to the first axis of rotation, wherein a spring device is arranged between the differential housing and at least one of the output and/or compensating gears to load it with a spring force.

Abstract: A transmitting torque limiting apparatus, used in a power transmitting apparatus, includes side gears (40) and side gears piece (42) one of which are axially shiftable. The side gears (40) and the side gear pieces (42) respectively have first engaging teeth (60a) and second engaging teeth (60b) each being provided with a pressure angle (Alpha). Due to such pressure angle, when an excessive torque is inputted into the power transmitting apparatus, a thrust force (F1) is generated for disengaging the engagement between the first engaging teeth (60a) and second engaging teeth (60b). Thus, inputting of the excessive torque into the power transmitting apparatus can be limited.

Abstract: A power transmitting device includes a case and first and second dogs. The first dog is rotatably disposed in the case about an axis and includes a set of first dog teeth. The second dog is movable along the axis and is non-rotatably coupled to the case. The second dog has a set of second dog teeth. One of the sets of first and second dog teeth includes a plurality of pins. Each of the pins extends parallel to the axis and includes a centerpoint and first and second contact surfaces that are defined by first and second radii, respectfully. A width of the pin across the first and second contact surfaces is smaller in length than a sum of a magnitude of the first radius and a magnitude of the second radius. A method for forming a power transmitting device is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention includes novel apparatus and methods for engaging and disengaging a locking differential. In an embodiment, an assembly for use with a locking differential is provided. The assembly includes an actuator, a housing, a shaft, a pair of biasing members, a side gear, and a locking pin. The actuator is arranged to move the assembly from a first position to a second position. The housing is coupled to the actuator. The first biasing member biases the housing, and the second biasing member biases the housing and shaft. The side gear includes an aperture for engaging the locking pin. The locking pin is coupled to the shaft such that the biasing of the shaft determines whether the locking pin is biased into engagement with the aperture or out of engagement with the aperture.

Abstract: A differential device is provided with a case being capable of rotation around a rotation axis; a differential gear set housed in and drivingly coupled to the case, which includes first and second output gears and is configured to differentially transmit the rotation of the case to the first and second output gears; a clutch configured to controllably limit and free a differential motion between the first and second output gears, which is housed in the case; an actuator configured to actuate the clutch; and a notifying member configured to notify whether the differential motion is limited or freed to an exterior of the case.

Abstract: A vehicle differential assembly may include a differential housing rotatable about an axis, a first output assembly, a pinion gear, and a first coupling assembly. The first output assembly may include a first side gear and a first output member. The first side gear may be disposed within the differential housing and may be rotatable about the axis. The first output member may be coupled to the first side gear for rotation therewith. The first coupling assembly may be engaged with the first output assembly and may include a coupling mechanism and a biasing member. The coupling mechanism may extend through an opening in the first output member and may be displaceable relative to the differential housing in a direction generally parallel to the axis. The biasing member may be engaged with the coupling mechanism and may urge the first output assembly into frictional engagement with the differential housing.

Abstract: A vehicle differential assembly may include a differential housing rotatable about an axis, a first output assembly, a pinion gear, and a first coupling assembly. The first output assembly may include a first side gear and a first output member. The first side gear may be disposed within the differential housing and may be rotatable about the axis. The first output member may be coupled to the first side gear for rotation therewith. The first coupling assembly may be engaged with the first output assembly and may include a coupling mechanism and a biasing member. The coupling mechanism may extend through an opening in the first output member and may be displaceable relative to the differential housing in a direction generally parallel to the axis. The biasing member may be engaged with the coupling mechanism and may urge the first output assembly into frictional engagement with the differential housing.

Abstract: A lockable differential has one positive-fit clutch (12) actuatable in the opening and closing directions by displacement of a sliding sleeve (4), the sliding sleeve (4) being actuatable by a co-axially disposed piston (15).

Abstract: A differential assembly includes a differential housing including a substantially spherically shaped chamber. A pair of side gears are rotatably positioned in the chamber in driving communication with a pair of pinion gears. A pair of springs are positioned in engagement with the end faces of the side gears to minimize gear lash between the side gears and the pinion gears.

Abstract: Differential assembly and a method of operating the same. The assembly includes a differential case and a pinion housing including a first pinion gear and a second pinion gear positioned substantially therein. A first side gear and a second side gear are operably coupled to the first pinion gear and the second pinion gear. A sliding collar selectively engages at least one of the differential case, the pinion housing, and the first and second side gears. The sliding collar provides at least three engagement modes. The method includes providing a differential case and a pinion housing including a first pinion gear and a second pinion gear positioned substantially therein. A first side gear and a second side gear are provided. At least one of the differential case, the pinion housing, and the first and second side gears are selectively engaged in one of at least three engagement modes.

Abstract: This invention relates to multiple driven axle vehicles, and particularly to all-terrain vehicles equipped for rear wheel drive, four wheel drive, and on-demand front wheel drive. The invention is directed toward a system of switchable traction options allowing the vehicle operator to easily choose between different modes, such as rear wheel drive with an open or unlocked differential, rear wheel drive with a locked differential, four wheel drive with open differentials, four wheel drive with one locked differential, four wheel drive with two locked differentials, or rear wheel drive with on-demand four wheel drive.

Abstract: A differential having a driving member; an input member; first and second rotatable output members; differential gearing operable between the input member and the first and second output members, for transmitting rotation from the input member to the first and second output members and providing for differential rotation of the first and second output members relative to one another; an engaging device operable to establish a driving connection between the driving member and the input member; an inhibiting device operable to inhibit relative rotation between the first and second output members; and an actuating device for causing the operation of the engaging device and the inhibiting device.

Abstract: Differential gears which obtain adequate differential motion limiting action under heavy loading, and switch between a differential motion condition and a differential motion limiting condition, inside a differential case are provided a pair of left and right pressure rings, which move freely in the direction of the wheel axles but are incapable of relative turning, the inner diameter being larger than that of side gears; a pair of clutch means on the two pressure rings; urging means for urging the two pressure rings such that the two pressure rings clearance narrows; and actuation means for actuating the pressure rings against the force of the urging means, in accordance with the increases in the relative turning torque between the pinion shaft and the differential case during differential motion, and activating the clutch means.

Abstract: Differential gears are provided with which adequate differential motion limiting action is obtained even under heavy loading, and which is capable of appropriately switching between a differential motion condition and a differential motion limiting condition.

Abstract: A limited slip differential for driving axles of a vehicle wherein a rotating differential connects the axles to an engine and wherein a torque override assembly is provided to limit relative rotation between the two axles by connecting a spring biased frictional disk drive between the rotational differential and one axle by bolting the input drive to the disks to the rotational differential and keying the output drive of the disks to one of the axles. Varying limits of the torque override is obtained by any one of: the number of disks used, the material of the disks, and the strength of the spring.

Abstract: A ring gear (50) is provided between a pair of differential case halves (18, 18') integrally formed with teeth defining a pair of side gears (19, 19') that engage differential pinion gears (12, 12') mounted on a pinion shaft (17) to provide a motor vehicle differential gear assembly (100) having reduced components while enabling a limited slip capability controlled by regulating frictional resistance at a thrust surface interface.

Abstract: A differential gear assembly includes a disc-shaped input gear receiving drive force and having a central portion, an outer portion around the central portion, and one or more open space portions formed between the central portion and the outer portion. A pair of output shafts extend opposite each other along the axis of the input gear and one end of each of the output shafts is loosely fitted in a central bore formed in the central portion of the input gear. A pair of side bevel gears is provided each of which is fixedly attached near the end of each output shaft closer to the input gear. One or more support shafts extend radially from the central portion into the open space portions of the input gear. One or more bevel pinions is rotatably supported on the one or more support shafts, respectively, to mesh with the pair of side bevel gears. A friction mechanism is located in at least one of one or more open space portions that permits the bevel pinion to rotate with rotational resistance.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated limited slip differential which can be configured to be either speed and torque sensitive or speed sensitive. The differential includes a hydraulic pump mechanism comprising a plurality of fluid supply passages disposed in a side gear and in fluid communication with a cavity defined by the side gear and a piston. The hydraulic pump mechanism transfers fluid into the cavity in response to meshing rotation between the pinion gears and the side gears. Sufficiently high differentiation between the output shafts increases the pressure in the cavity to increase frictional pressure between a frictional clutch mechanism and the differential casing to provide braking action between the side gears and the differential casing. The angular relationship between the clutch surfaces of the clutch mechanism and the differential casing may be configured such that the side gear separating forces and hydraulic pressure act in either a reinforcing or opposing manner.

Abstract: An automatic self-locking differential wherein the improvement is made by the independent function provided by a geared integral locking mechanism. This independent function allows in a vertical manner for the relative resistive axial motion of either of two axial moving pinion shafts to occur in an intermittent fashion. Drive axles are mounted with bevel gears within a rotating differential casing. The bevel gears mesh with pinion gear sets which are mounted on shafts.

Abstract: A limited slip differential having a housing with a recess provided in a radial surface of the housing adjacent a clutch pack disposed between the housing and side gear of the differential. A biasing member is provided in the recess to induce frictional engagement of the clutch.

Abstract: A drive axle differential has the shift fork for the differential locking curvic clutch collar slidably received over a push-rod and registered against a flange on the push-rod. The push-rod has one end slidably received in a bore in the differential carrier and the other end threadedly engaging an air pressure power piston. A slot is provided in the threaded end of the push-rod for an adjustment tool and a locking screw is threaded against the push-rod after adjustment. The piston cover containing the air pressure control signal port then attached to the differential carrier.

Abstract: In a clutch (6) for locking a differential gear for a vehicle, a movable half (60) of the clutch (6) is pushed indirectly via a sliding sleeve (70) and intermediate members (77) in an engaging direction. Then the sliding sleeve (70), with a locking surface (74), retains the intermediate members (77) firmly in a locking position between a bearing surface (64) of the movable half (60) and an axially stationary retaining surface (4). Flanks (52, 62) of clutch teeth (51, 61) of an axially stationary half (50) and of the movable half (60) form in the axle direction a deflection angle (55). The bearing surface (64) and the retaining surface (4) form a wedge angle (65). The locking surface (74) of the sliding sleeve (70) is inclined in an axial direction forming a small releasing angle (75). To open the clutch (6), the sliding sleeve (70) is pulled away. A torque produces through the deflection angle (55) an axial deflection force which then disengages the clutch (6).

Abstract: According to the invention, an output element of a differential is made in two parts (14a, 14b), one (14b) of these two parts being axially mobile under the effect of a torque transmitted through this output element. This axial displacement is used to act either on a friction clutch or preferably on a coupling of the viscocoupler type in order to modify its characteristics.Application particularly to motor vehicles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a limited slip differential of the general type wherein when one of the driving wheels begins to slip or loses traction driving power is transmitted to the wheel retaining traction. The unique features of this invention involve utilizing engine input torque as the force for progressively actuating a clutch to couple differential elements to direct power to a driving wheel having traction; constantly sensing the differences between the engine input torque and the resistive torques of the driving wheels; and limiting the resistive torque of the driving wheels which can act in opposition to the clutch-applying force of the engine input torque to the differential.

Abstract: To realize a small-sized differential gear provided with both differential limiting and locking functions simultaneously without markedly modifying the conventional differential case, the differential gear comprises a differential mechanism having a differential case, pinion shafts, pinion gears, two side gears, etc.; two frictional multiplate clutches disposed between the two side gears and two inner side wall surfaces of the differential case, respectively for limiting differential function; a lock clutch disposed within the differential case for generating two opposite direction thrust forces to engage said limit multiplate clutches into engagement and further locking the differential function; and actuator for actuating the lock clutch from outside of the differential case.

Abstract: A limited slip differential includes a case which is rotatably driven by a power source. A cross shaft is mounted within the case for rotation therewith. A pair of pinion gears are rotatably mounted on the ends of the cross shaft. The pinion gears mesh with side gears splined onto respect axle shafts. Thus, when the case is rotated, torque is transmitted through the cross shaft, the pinion gears, and the side gears to the axle shafts. A pair of Belleville springs are mounted to the cross shaft adjacent to the pinion gears. A hollow cylindrical spacer is disposed about the cross shaft between the two Belleville springs. The Belleville springs react against the ends of the spacer to urge the pinion gears apart from one another into frictional engagement with respective thrust washers disposed between the pinion gears and the case. As a result, the rotation of the pinion gears is restricted, thus limiting the free wheeling action of the differential.

Abstract: A limited slip differential, comprising a housing (10), two bevel side gears (15, 16), clutch assemblies (21, 22) disposed between the outermost ends of the side gears and the housing, two bevel planet gears (23, 24), thrust members (32) engaging the side gears, and spring means (37) operating on the thrust members to urge them into engagement with the side gears and cause frictional engagement in the clutch assemblies; wherein the bevel planet gears are rotatably supported on a shaft member (25) which extends transversely through the housing and also through a support member (30) which holds the thrust members (32) against rotation, the shaft member also loading the spring means when it is inserted. The arrangement enables the differential to have a housing in one piece, with a lateral opening or openings through which all parts can be introduced into the housing with assembly being completed by insertion of the planet gear support shaft member to load the spring means and hold the suport member in position.

Abstract: A limited slip differential for limiting differential rotation between a differential casing and axles via a frictional connection includes a pinion shaft rotating integrally with the differential casing and a pinion gear attached rotatively to the pinion shaft. A side gear engages with the pinion gear and is mounted loosely with respect to the axles. A first cam portion formed on the side gear engages with a second cam portion formed on a driving member which is spline-engaged with one of the axles, supporting the side gear and supported by and centered on the differential casing. A frictionally connecting clutch is disposed between the driving member and the differential casing.

Abstract: An active torque distribution controller for the wheels of a motor vehicle detects a longitudinal acceleration and a side acceleration to which the vehicle is subject. Based on these longitudinal and side accelerations, a running mode which the vehicle is involved in is detected, and a torque distribution ratio of a portion of torque delivered to the front wheels to the remaining portion to the rear wheels and a differential limiting force are varied in response to a predetermined control schedule for the running mode detected.

Abstract: A method of and system for controlling a torque distribution over four wheels of four-wheel drive vehicle when the vehicle is making a turn. When an outer wheel revolution speed is higher than an inner wheel revolution speed, a differential action limiting force is decreased or weakened and a torque distribution ratio, viz., a ratio of a portion of torque distributed toward the front wheels (secondary driving wheels) to the remaining portion of torque distributed toward the rear wheels (primary driving wheels), is decreased. When the inner wheel revolution speed is higher than the outer wheel revolution speed, the differential acting limiting force is increased or strengthened and the torque distribution ratio is increased.