Control Of Differential Planetary Gearing Patents (Class 475/84)
  • Patent number: 5816971
    Abstract: A locking differential is provided for selectably locking a first axle to a second axle. The locking differential utilizes a dog clutch assembly characterized by two interlocking clutch members positioned between the differential side gears on opposing sides of the differential pinion shaft. The interlocking clutch members have face splines thereon for engaging corresponding face splines formed on the side gears. An actuating mechanism can be selectably activated to force the two interlocking members into engagement with the side gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Vehicular Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Zentmyer, Mark V. Tyson
  • Patent number: 5785622
    Abstract: A differential gear includes a rotatable housing, a first output shaft connected to a first gear element and a second output shaft connected to a second gear element of a differential planet gear train disposed within the housing and having further gear elements attached to the housing. A planet gear train is disposed within the housing and has a ring gear attached to the housing, a planet wheel connected to the ring gear and a sun wheel connected to the planet wheel. The sun wheel is connected to a hollow shaft having the second output shaft disposed therein. A fluid pump having a first member rotatable with the hollow shaft and a second member rotatable relative to the first member is disposed between the housing and the hollow shaft for braking relative rotation between the housing and the hollow shaft in response to a difference in rotational speed between the first and the second output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Slim Borgudd
    Inventor: Forbes George de Brie Perry
  • Patent number: 5702319
    Abstract: A hydromechanical system for limiting differentiation between a first rotating member and a second rotating member in a drivetrain subassembly. The hydromechanical system comprises a clutch assembly for selectively coupling the first rotating member to rotate with the second rotating member and a hydraulically actuated piston assembly for applying force on the clutch assembly to actuate the clutch assembly in response to hydraulic pressure such that the first rotatable member is selectively coupled to rotate with the second rotatable member. A clutch actuating pump, including a reservoir, is provided for supplying hydraulic pressure to the piston assembly to actuate the piston assembly, wherein the clutch actuating pump communicates hydraulic fluid under pressure to the piston assembly in response to differential rotation between the first and second rotating members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Ralph W. Baxter, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5655983
    Abstract: The invention provides a hydromechanical system for limiting differential speed between first and second rotating members of a vehicle drivetrain subassembly. The hydromechanical system comprises a casing disposed within a housing of the subassembly which is rotatably coupled to the first rotating member of the drivetrain subassembly. Hydraulic fluid is supplied from a sump within the drivetrain subassembly housing to a reversible hydraulic pump disposed within the casing, wherein the reversible hydraulic pump pumps hydraulic fluid in response to relative rotation between the first and second rotating members. A piston assembly is disposed within the casing which includes a guide member, an actuating member and a chamber disposed therebetween, wherein the chamber receives the pumped hydraulic fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph A. Dick
  • Patent number: 5601508
    Abstract: A locking device for a bevel gear differential having an insert (5) mounted on its own axis (4) which is also the axis of the planet bevel (3). The insert is situated between the opposing bevel gears (2) and has teeth (6) which engages with those of the bevel wheels and when the bevel wheels are displace relative to each other, the insert executes reciprocal motion along the axis of the pinion. Various ways of creating resistance in the motion of the insert is disclosed which limits the relative angular velocity of the bevel wheels as they rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Inventor: Viktor M. Kuzevanov
  • Patent number: 5518463
    Abstract: A torque distributing mechanism includes a first and a second planetary gear mechanism. Among pairs of planetary carriers, ring gears and sun gears in these planetary gear mechanisms, one of the pairs are coupled to two output elements of a differential; another pair are relatively non-rotatably connected to each other, and one of the components of the remaining pair is fixed, while the other is connected to a driving source. Thus, it is possible to reduce the diametrical dimension and weight of the torque distributing mechanism and to improve the degree of freedom in design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabishiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuji Shibahata, Shoji Tokushima
  • Patent number: 5466196
    Abstract: A stepless automatic variable transmission with gears in a state of constant meshing which is operational without the need for disengaging or changing the gears such that the rotational output power can be varied to effect a neutral, low speed, medium speed, high speed, overdrive or reverse rotation by selecting a stepless automatic speed change method or a manual speed change method, and which includes a speed change system, an overdrive system and a speed change controlling system.The assembly of speed change system (10, 110, 310, 410, 510, 610), the overdrive system (50, 360, 660, 760) and the speed change controlling system (80, 180, 380, 680, 780) can vary with each of the systems combined to result in numerous stepless automatic variable transmissions. To effect speed changes low speed, medium speed, overdrive, and reverse rotation brake means are used. Also, either the manual speed change method or the automatic speed change method can be selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Hae Sung Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong O. Ra, Joon Y. Lim, Wan M. Yoo
  • Patent number: 5454762
    Abstract: Described is a hydraulic circuit construction of a vehicular left/right drive force adjusting apparatus suitable for use in adjusting drive force to left and right wheels in an automotive vehicle or the like. The vehicular left/right drive force adjusting apparatus is provided with a drive force transmission control mechanism which performs adjustment of drive force. The drive force transmitting apparatus is equipped with a left-wheel-controlling, hydraulically-driven clutch mechanism for transferring drive force to a left-wheel axle or from the left-wheel axle, a right-wheel-controlling, hydraulically-driven clutch mechanism for transferring drive force to a right-wheel axle or from the right-wheel axle, and a hydraulic circuit for driving these clutch mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kaoru Sawase, Masayoshi Nishimori
  • Patent number: 5437583
    Abstract: A torque distributing mechanism includes a first and a second planetary gear mechanism. Among pairs of planetary carriers, ring gears and sun gears in these planetary gear mechanisms, one of the pairs are coupled to two output elements of a differential; another pair are relatively non-rotatably connected to each other, and one of the components of the remaining pair is fixed, while the other is connected to a driving source. Thus, it is possible to reduce the diametrical dimension and weight of the torque distributing mechanism and to improve the degree of freedom in design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuji Shibahata, Shoji Tokushima
  • Patent number: 5431603
    Abstract: The specification discloses a transfer case for four-wheel-drive vehicles. In one embodiment, the transfer case includes a fluid coupling and rotation of an input shaft is transferred to a front drive shaft by a pair of opposed rotatable rings having interleaved fins. The interleaved fins provide fluid filled chambers and relative movement of the fins compresses the fluid and increases the ability of the fluid to transfer torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: MileMarker, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. Aho
  • Patent number: 5387161
    Abstract: A torque distributing differential for distributing torque from an input element to two output elements and including a first planetary carrier connected to one of the two output elements of the differential and a sun gear coupled to the other of the two output elements. A second planetary carrier of a planetary gear type torque distributing mechanism coupled to the other of the two output elements. An external tooth gear of a ring gear of the torque distributing mechanism and an external tooth gear of the first planetary carrier being operatively connected to each other with a predetermined reduction ration through a pair of spur gears, so that the sun gear is rotatably driven by a motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuji Shibahata
  • Patent number: 5370588
    Abstract: Described is a drive power distribution control system for a vehicle, which is suitable for use in distributing drive power to a left and right drive wheels or to front or rear drive wheels or in distributing drive power by transfer of drive power between a left and right non-drive wheels. The system is provided, between a first output shaft and a second output shaft, with a differential casing to which drive power is inputted, a differential mechanism for transmitting the drive power to the shafts, and a drive power transmission control mechanism capable of controlling the distribution of the drive power to the respective shafts. The mechanism is interposed between the shafts and the casing and is constructed of a speed change mechanism capable of changing and outputting rotational speeds of the shafts and a drive power transmission mechanism capable of transmitting drive force between the casing and a second sun gear of the speed change mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kaoru Sawase, Keiji Isoda
  • Patent number: 5282774
    Abstract: A differential includes a planet gear through which two shafts coupled to laterally spaced road wheels of a motor vehicle are interconnected. The planet gear has a rotatable shaft with a brake mechanism coupled thereto. A braking force produced by the brake mechanism is transmitted through the differential to the road wheels depending on the rotational speeds of the road wheels. The brake mechanism may include either a turbine for producing a resistive force upon rotation thereof or a hydraulic damper comprising a hydraulic pump and a variable restriction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Assignee: Isuzu Ceramics Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaki Okada
  • Patent number: 5232410
    Abstract: A pair of orifices of different orifice sizes is provided between each pressure chamber and an accumulator chamber. A larger one serves as a variable orifice and a smaller one as a fixed orifice. The variable orifice becomes effective when a control circuit is functioning properly for variably controlling an axial position of a valve spool. The fixed orifice becomes effective when the control circuit malfunctions and allows the valve spool to be moved into a predetermined position. In another embodiment, a single orifice cooperates with the valve spool to serve as both a variable orifice and a fixed orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tokiyoshi Yanai
  • Patent number: 5161636
    Abstract: In an all-wheel driven field tractor whose front-axle differential (6) and rear-axle differential (15) are permanently driven in arable land by output shafts (2 and 3) of a gear change (1) so that a rigid connection exists between front and rear axles, the higher speeds of the front axle (7) appearing when cornering must be compensated. Besides, a mechanism for compensating the axle speeds must be adapted to be integrated in the field tractor without substantial constructural changes. For this purposse there is situated between the crown gear (12) and the differential cage (14) of the rear-axle differential (15) a clutch (16) designed as a control slip clutch having its slip status regulated according to the parameters of the track radius to be executed and/or the traction needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Josef Haupt, Thomas Niezurawski, Unal Gazyakan
  • Patent number: 5156578
    Abstract: A differential gear device for a vehicle is disclosed. The differential gear device is provided with a planetary gearing for producing differential motion having a ring gear with an tooth portion, and a electro-magnetic multiple clutch for limiting the differential motion. The electromagnetic clutch is provided with a plurality of outer friction plates and a plurality of inner friction plates alternately positioned with the outer friction plates. An outer rotary member made of a nonmagnetic substance and integrally joined to the ring gear is provided for the electro-magnetic multiple clutch. The outer rotary member is provided with a tooth portion for engaging the outer friction plates. The tooth portion of the outer rotary member is formed to receive the outer friction plates from the tooth portion side of the ring gear and has an aperture at least larger than the thickness of one outer friction plate at the tooth portion of the ring gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: Tochigifujisangyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Isao Hirota
  • Patent number: 5149309
    Abstract: This device, comprising a housing (10), an input member and two output members (14, 15) as well as a controlled-slip coupling device (23) arranged between two of the said input and output members, is characterized in that the differential comprises at least one member (14) axially movable under the effect of a torque exerted on it, the displacement of this member being utilized to modify the operating characteristics of the controlled-slip coupling.This provides a differential with a slip self-controlled as a function of the torque and of the speed difference between the output members, the law of variation of which is appreciably improved in relation to that of the known devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Glaenzer Spicer
    Inventor: Pierre Guimbretiere
  • Patent number: 5141072
    Abstract: The distribution of drive power produced by a drive power source is controlled in a four-wheel-drive motor vehicle having main drive wheels and auxiliary drive wheels. Drive powers produced by the drive power source are independently regulated and transmitted to the left and right auxiliary drive wheels. While the drive power distribution ratio between the main and auxiliary drive wheels is maintained at a suitable value, the drive powers are variable distributed between the left and right auxiliary drive wheels by a drive power distribution control system. The drive power distribution control system determines the drive power distribution ratio between the left and right auxiliary drive wheels depending on a detected lateral acceleration exerted to the motor vehicle, and transmits the drive powers to the left and right auxiliary drive wheels according to the determined drive power distribution ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuji Shibahata
  • Patent number: 5125876
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: Tochigifujisangyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Isao Hirota
  • Patent number: 5078660
    Abstract: A transfer case for a four wheel drive vehicle providing a central shaft defining a first output concentrically surrounded by a forward high/low drive range gear set and an aft dual planetary inter-axle differential gear set. A range clutch collar is disposed between the gear sets for selectively providing four wheel drive low range, neutral, and full-time four wheel drive high range. Likewise, a mode sleeve is disposed between the gear sets for selectively locking the differential gear set when the vehicle is shifted into its four wheel low range. Inner and outer relatively rotational drum housings surrounded the aft dual planetary differential gear set for defining an annular viscous fluid coupling chamber therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: New Venture Gear, Inc.
    Inventors: Randolph C. Williams, Richard E. Eastman, S. K. Varma
  • Patent number: 5062561
    Abstract: The driving gear meshes with the gear on the web of a planetary gear. This planetary gear includes an arrestable sun wheel. The output sun wheel is rigidly connected to the drive shaft. It extends through a sleeve section of the web. A longitudinally displaceable shifting sleeve is located on the sleeve section, which shifting sleeve has a plurality of control disks. These control disks control via a roller the rocking movement of the upper feeding roller. Accordingly, the period of the rocking movement can be selected depending on a respective selected control disk. If the sun wheel is unlocked, the shifting sleeve may be moved such that it engages directly the drive shaft such that by properly selecting the number of teeth it is possible to choose between a rotational speed transmission relation of 1:2 and 1:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: Bruderer AG
    Inventor: Helmut Messner
  • Patent number: 4978329
    Abstract: A limited slip differential includes a differential case, a pair of side gears formed of spiral bevel gears and disposed in the differential case, a plurality of pinions formed of spiral bevel gears meshing with the side gears, supported by shaft portions of a spider and disposed in the differential case and a frictional force generator by which a differential motion generated between shafts respectively coupled with the side gears is limited. The limited slip differential further includes a member for preventing the spider from wear resulting from such constitution of side gears and pinions that the tooth surfaces on which each of the pinions meshes with the pair of side gears constitute a concave with respect to the tooth of the side gear on one side and a convex with respect to the tooth of the side gear on the other side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuyoshi Yasui, Norihisa Iguchi
  • Patent number: 4973294
    Abstract: A control system for controlling a differential limiting force of a limited slip differential of a vehicle includes a section for sensing a turning radius of the vehicle, a section for sensing centripetal acceleration of the vehicle, and a controller section. The controller section increases an engagement force of a differential limiting clutch of the limited slip differential in accordance with the turning radius and the centripetal acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1990
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Kobari, Takashi Imaseki
  • Patent number: 4932510
    Abstract: A torque transmitting assembly comprises a first rotary element including internal cam surfaces, a second rotary element disposed in the first rotary element, the second rotary element including a rotor containing a plurality of radially outwardly opening pressure chambers facing the cam surfaces, and a hydraulic mechanism for transmitting a ratio of the input torque from one of the first rotary element and the second rotary element to the other in response to rotation speed of the second rotary element and also to differential rotation occurring between the first rotary element and the second rotary element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tooji Takemura, Takashi Ookubo
  • Patent number: 4922787
    Abstract: An HST housing axle driving apparatus for a small-sized running vehicle, such as a tractor, in which an axle casing is divided into a left-side half axle casing and a right-side half axle casing. In one of the left- and right-side half axle casings are disposed a hydraulic pump provided with a vertical pump shaft and a hydraulic motor provided with a horizontal motor shaft. In the other of the left- and right-side half axle casings are disposed a speed reduction shaft and a differential gear unit, so that a driving force is adapted to be transmitted from the vertical pump shaft to the horizontal motor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichiro Fujisaki, Ryota Ohashi, Shusuke Nemoto
  • Patent number: 4903547
    Abstract: An automatic activation apparatus for a differential pawl which is independent of intervention by an operator of a vehicle, the invention controls the energy supply to the actuator by means of a control logic with two signal inputs. The control logic is fed a wheel slip signal directly at one signal input, and via a break-delay timing element at its other signal input. The control logic is thereby designed so that, by the excitation of both signal inputs, it switches into a standby position and then into its active position only upon the excitation of its signal input connected with the timing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Assignee: Wabco Westinghouse Fahrzeugbremsen GmbH
    Inventor: Horst Deike
  • Patent number: RE34209
    Abstract: Differential-gearing devices are disclosed in which the differential pinion gears are controlled to induce a speed difference between output shafts, provide a locking and limited slip differential to equalize the speeds of the output shafts or limit their speed difference, provide a clutch for controlling the coupling and uncoupling of an input shaft to an output shaft, and provide a variable speed transmission. These operational modes are implemented by mounting hydraulic motor or pump units on the rotating carrier of the differential apparatus, the pinion gears being fixed to the shafts of the respective units. A controllable external fluid source independent of the carrier is in fluid communication with the units via conduits through the stationary housing of the differential device and the rotating carrier. Fluid flow may be either blocked, limited or unimpeded between the source and the units to effect the desired control of the pinion gears to, in turn, determine the operational mode of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Inventor: Clifford B. McGarraugh