Abstract: Frictional resistance, resulting from end thrust developed by planetary gearing, is appreciably increased to improve control over torque bias characteristics in parallel-axis/torque-proportioning automotive differentials using an unusual planetary combination gear having a first toothed portion which meshes with one of the differential's sun/side gears and a second toothed portion which meshes with a paired combination gear, these first and second toothed portions being separated by a non-meshing portion that "straddles" (i.e., that provides clearance for avoiding contact with) the sun gear that is in mesh with its paired combination gear. In the most preferred embodiments, the second toothed portion of each combination gear is divided into two separate and distinct meshing areas located, respectively, at the gear's outer axial ends.

Abstract: Frictional resistance, resulting from end thrust developed by planetary gearing, is appreciably increased in parallel-axis/torque-proportioning types of automotive differentials to improve torque bias characteristics. A pair of sun gears receive, respectively, the ends of coaxial drive axles, and the sun gears are interconnected by at least one planetary pair of combination gears positioned in the housing circumferentially around the sun gears. Each combination gear of the pair has a first engagement portion that is in mesh with a respective one of the sun gears, and each also has a second engagement portion that is in mesh with its paired combination gear.

Abstract: Frictional resistance is appreciably increased in parallel-axis/torque-proportioning types of automotive differentials to improve torque bias characteristics. A pair of sun gears receive, respectively, the ends of coaxial drive axles, and the sun gears are interconnected by at least one planetary pair of combination gears positioned in the housing circumferentially around the sun gears. Each combination gear of the pair has a first engagement portion that is in mesh with a respective one of the sun gears, and each also has a second engagement portion that is in mesh with its paired combination gear.

Abstract: In the disclosed torque-proportioning type of automotive differential, a parallel-axis planetary gear arrangement is carried within a housing rotatable about a pair of drive axles. A pair of sun/side gears receive, respectively, the ends of the coaxial drive axles. The side gears are interconnected by at least one planetary pair of combination gears. Each combination gear of the pair is in mesh with a respective one of the side gears, and each shares two separate and distinct meshing portions with its paired combination gear. For each combination gear, the two meshing portions shared with its paired gear straddle the portion of the gear which meshes with its respective side gear. In the preferred embodiments, the shared mesh portions are located at the two axial outer ends of the combination gears.