Abstract: A hold-out ring type locking differential for an automobile or other type of motorized vehicle includes a differential case housing a number of components, such as a center driver positioned between holdout rings, clutch members, springs, spring retainers, side gears, and thrust washers. The center driver includes a center cam that engages inner teeth of the clutch members, which in turn include a tooth shape or profile for reducing stress and wear while increasing an operational life of the clutch member. The inner clutch teeth each have a top portion coupled to a base portion at an intersection point. The top portion extends from the intersection point to a free edge surface while the base portion extending from the intersection point continually into a root radius region.

Abstract: A locking differential having a movable locking ring that can selectively engage a gear of the differential to lock or unlock the differential is disclosed. The locking ring is moved by a pressure source, such as a pneumatic pressure source, and a spring. The locking ring engages a fixed annular ring in the case of the differential. Two O-rings create a seal between sides of the fixed annular ring and arms of the locking differential.

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: A locking differential includes a housing with an interior chamber in which a two-piece split-center driver is located. The split-center driver is positioned on opposite sides of a cross-pin assembly. A pair of axially spaced output shafts extend from the interior chamber and are coupled to a pair of side gears.

Abstract: A locking differential includes a housing with an interior chamber in which a two-piece split-center driver is located. The split-center driver is positioned on opposite sides of a cross-pin assembly. A pair of axially spaced output shafts extend from the interior chamber and are coupled to a pair of side gears. The split-center driver gear and a centered cam member are arranged co-axially about the adjacent ends of the output shafts, and annular clutch members are operable to disconnect an overrunning output shaft.