Abstract: A rotation transmitting device has an input shaft coupled to the transmission of the engine of a four-wheel drive vehicle and an output shaft coupled to the rear wheel differential. The input and output shafts are mounted rotatably and concentrically relative to each other. An outer ring is rotatably mounted around the input shaft and a cage is rotatably mounted between the opposed surfaces of the input shaft and the outer rink and formed with a plurality of pockets. Engaging elements are mounted in the pockets and adapted to engage the opposed surfaces when the cage and the input shaft rotate relative to each other. Resilient members are mounted in the pockets to keep the engaging elements out of engagement with the opposed surfaces. The cage and the output shaft are coupled to the input shaft with a gap left therebetween in the direction of rotation so as to be rotatable to,ether. The input and output shafts are kept in a neutral position of the above gap by a retaining member.

Abstract: A multifunctional energy-saving system for vehicles is composed of an automatic clutch mechanism (1) and a control mechanism (2). The automatic clutch mechanism mainly comprises a shaft (4) with a regular prismatic section (5), a hub (6) and a synchronous cage (10) with torque-transmitting elements (12). When the speed of the shaft is higher than that of the hub torque is transmitted between them through the torque-transmitting elements (12). When the speed of the shaft becomes lower than that of the hub, no torque is transmitted between them. The shaft can be engaged with the hub as required at any time responding to the control mechanism. The energy consumption can be considerably reduced with the present system. When the automatic clutch mechanism having a symmetric structure is used in the system and disposed in place of the original differential of a vehicle, the automatic clutch mechanism can further function as a differential with anti-slip capabilities.

Abstract: A four wheel drive working vehicle having transmission clutches separately operable for driving right and left rear wheels. Power for driving right and left front wheels is transmitted thereto from a change speed device through a front differential, while power for driving the rear wheels is transmitted thereto from the change speed device through the transmission clutches, respectively. When the front wheels are steered from a straight running position beyond a predetermined angle in order to turn the vehicle, the transmission clutch corresponding to the rear wheel lying on the inside of the turn is disengaged while the transmission clutch corresponding to the outside rear wheel remains engaged. Consequently, the rear wheel lying on the inside of the turn and describing the smallest turning radius is placed in free rotation state. The working vehicle can change running directions and make small, sharp turns smoothly without a rear differential.

Abstract: A rotation transmitting device having an outer ring formed with a bore, a holder fixedly mounted in the bore and rolling elements mounted in the holder so as to be rollable as the outer ring rotates. A pair of input shafts are provided coaxially with an axis of rotation of the outer ring so as to sandwich the rolling elements from both sides thereof. Output shafts are rotatably mounted in the bore at both sides of the input shafts. Cages are rotatably mounted between the output shafts and the outer ring and formed with pockets. Engaging elements are mounted in the pockets and adapted to be engageable between opposite surfaces of the outer ring and the output shafts with relative rotation between the cages and the output shafts in either direction. Elastic members are mounted in the pockets to keep the engaging elements in a position where they are not engaged.

Abstract: A transfer device is provided for distributing the output of a transmission to front wheels and rear wheels of the vehicle through a front power train and a rear power train. The output shaft of the transmission is operatively connected to the rear power train. The transfer device has a drive gear rotatably mounted on an output shaft of the transmission and engaged with a driven gear in the front power train, a fluid operated multiple-disk friction clutch having a drive drum and a driven drum. The driven drum is secured to the drive gear and the drive drum is secured to the output shaft. The output shaft of the transmission and the drive gear are arranged to be changed with an output shaft and a drive gear for the front power train which are engaged with each other, and an input member of the rear power train is arranged to be secured to the drive drum.

Abstract: A rotation transmitting device having an outer ring formed with a bore, a holder fixedly mounted in the bore and rolling elements mounted in the holder so as to be rollable as the outer ring rotates. A pair of input shafts are provided coaxially with an axis of rotation of the outer ring so as to sandwich the rolling elements from both sides thereof. Output shafts are rotatably mounted in the bore at both sides of the input shafts. Cages are rotatably mounted between the output shafts and the outer ring and formed with pockets. Engaging elements are mounted in the pockets and adapted to be engageable between opposite surfaces of the outer ring and the output shafts with relative rotation between the cages and the output shafts in either direction. Elastic members are mounted in the pockets to keep the engaging elements in a position where they are not engaged.

Abstract: A power transmitting system for a vehicle includes an input shaft, left and right output shafts, a speed reduction mechanism for transmitting a driving force from the input shaft to the output shafts, a left hydraulic clutch disposed between the speed reduction mechanism and the left output shaft for transmitting the driving force, a right hydraulic clutch disposed between the speed reduction mechanism and the right output shaft, and an oil pump for supplying a hydraulic pressure to the left and right clutches. The left and right hydraulic clutches being disposed in the speed reduction mechanism, and the input shaft constitutes a primary element of the oil pump. A compact power transmitting system can be obtained in accordance with the invention.

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.

Abstract: A differential device has a drive shaft, a pair of cones connected to it so as to rotate at the same speed, a pair of wheel shafts with a pair of ring wheels fitted on them such that the ring wheels are engaged in a rotational direction with conical surfaces of the cones. The ring wheels are slidable in an axial direction and are positioned parallel to the axis of the corresponding wheel shafts. The ring wheels are transmissively in contact with the outer conical surfaces of the pair of cones. A steering mechanism is included for moving these ring wheels axially on the wheel shafts proportional to the amount of steering. A pair of brake teeth are on the ring wheels and a corresponding pair of brake teeth are attached to a fixed casing. When one of the ring wheels moves toward a smaller-diameter side of the corresponding cone, and gets off of the corresponding conical surface, the other ring wheel keeps making transmissive contact with a larger diameter of the other cone corresponding to the other ring wheel.

Abstract: A vehicle has a motor with a shaft extending from each end to drive a pair of opposed wheel axles connected to a pair of wheels. Each wheel axle extends into an axle housing. There is a control cylinder in each housing connected to rotate the wheel axle. The control cylinder acts as a driven clutch and is engaged by a pressure plate. A ring gear in each housing is journaled to the wheel axle. The ring gear has a cam face that engages a cam face located on the pressure plate which has a clutch face and a cam face. The pressure plate is journaled to the wheel shaft. A cam on the face of the ring gear and the clutch plate moves the ring gear and the clutch plate axially apart and this action forces the faces of the pressure plate and the driven clutch together.

Abstract: A differential gear that includes a cage in which there is disposed first and second rotatable cylinders positioned adjacent to one another, each rotatable cylinder having an elliptically-shaped groove in its surface and a sphere in each groove in contact with the cage as the cylinders are rotated. The first and second rotatable cylinders are rotatable only in opposite directions.

Abstract: The differential comprises a drive input element, two output cam members each rotatable about a common axis, each cam member having a single angular cam surface thereon of undulating form arranged such that the cam surfaces on the cam members converge towards each other and a plurality of cam followers. The followers have cam engaging end surfaces for imparting drive from the input element to the output cam members. Relative contro-rotation of the output cam members causes the cam followers to slide axially. The cam followers are elongate in direction of the common axis and are slidably supported throughout virtually their entire length by the drive input element. The followers may be arranged closely adjacent each other to provide a degree of mutual support.

Abstract: The coupling has a hub (2) rotatable in a housing (3) at least partially filled with viscous fluid. Two sets of plates (7, 10) are non-rotatably attached to the hub and the housing and alternate in the housing in an overlapping relationship. One set of plates (7) of the coupling (1) comprises segments (14) which are uniformly inclined in one direction and which contact corresponding plates (10) of the other set.

Abstract: A differential gear mechanism for motor vehicles, which is effective as well as quite simple construction-wise and low in production cost, comprises a differential gear case made rotatively rigid with a ring gear, a tubular body mounted within the case with a predetermined amount of angular backlash and being rotated thereby, two coaxially aligned sleeves attached to the ends of respective axle shafts and fitting rotatably within the tubular body, and for each sleeve, two freewheel devices arranged to alternately act between the tubular body and the sleeve and a change-over mechanism for activating either of the freewheel devices according to the running direction, in forward or reverse gear.

Abstract: In a driving power transmission, an input shaft is coaxially rotatably carried in a closed cylinder housing, extending through an operating piston received therein. The operating piston is bodily rotatable with the housing and axially movable relative to the housing and the input shaft. The piston defines at opposite ends thereof a clutch chamber and an axially thin circular space. A multiple disc clutch operable by the piston is provided in the clutch chamber for selectively transmitting a torque from the input shaft to the housing acting as an output shaft. A rotor with diametrically opposite blades is received within the axially thin circular space and is rotatable bodily with the input shaft for compulsorily displacing silicon oil filled in the circular space, so as to generate a pressure therein when relative rotation occurs between the housing and input shaft.

Abstract: A differential mechanism for motor cars and other vehicles includes an input, two outputs, a face cam member connected to each of the outputs, and one or more cam followers. The face cam members are arranged co-axially and each has at least one axially directed helical cam surface portion. The helical cam surface portions are of opposite hand. The cam followers are slidably mounted for axial movement relative to said face cam members, and each of the cam followers include two axially spaced helical cam follower portions of opposite hands for mating abutment against the face cam surfaces. The arrangement is such that relative contra rotation of the outputs drives the cam followers to slide axially.

Abstract: A torque transmitting device for transmitting torque by utilizing the viscosity of a fluid includes a casing having a cylindrical barrel having closed opposite ends, shafts rotatably supported in the casing in concentric relation to the cylindrical barrel, a fluid chamber defined by an inner peripheral surface and outer peripheral surfaces of the shafts, a plurality of annular outer plates disposed in the fluid chamber and rotatable with the casing, a plurality of annular inner plates disposed in the fluid chamber alternately with the outer plates and rotatable with the shafts, and a fluid filled in the fluid chamber. Torque can be transmitted between the casing and the shafts through the viscosity of the fluid present between the outer plates and the inner plates. Flow passages are defined in the fluid chamber and extending axially of the shafts for allowing the fluid to flow in the fluid chamber axially of the shafts.

Abstract: A drive power transmission mechanism in a motor vehicle having a drive power source includes a propeller shaft having a front end coupled to the drive power source, an intermediate shaft extending transversely to the propeller shaft and operatively coupled to a rear end of the propeller shaft through a bevel gear mechanism, and a final speed reducer operatively coupled to the intermediate shaft through spur gears. The bevel gear mechanism comprises a first bevel gear fixed coaxially to the rear end of the propeller shaft and a second bevel gear fixedly mounted coaxially on the intermediate shaft and meshing with the first bevel gear at a predetermined gear ratio.

Abstract: To realize three functions of twin viscous coupling in four-wheel drive, free coupling in two-wheel drive, and further direct (lock) coupling in four-wheel drive, the power transmission apparatus for transmitting power from a propeller shaft (9A) to two right and left rear wheel drive shafts (21A, 23A), comprises first and second hubs (4, 5) coupled to the drive shafts; cylindrical inner and outer casings (3a3b) for forming two working chambers (11, 12) in cooperation with the two hubs; first and second resistance plates (8, 9), and a driven member (17) for selectively engaging the inner casing with the outer casing (TWIN VISCO IN 4WD) and disengaging the inner casing from the outer casing (FREE IN 2WD).

Abstract: A differential adapter is provided for adapting a typically standard axle assembly to use in a railroad track vehicle. Such an axle assembly has a spur gear, a differential case with a plurality of radially extending openings, connected to the spur gear, and has two axle sections each with a splined inner end. The adapter is dimensioned to fit within the differential case and comprises a body with two axially extending, axially aligned splined openings therein which are dimensioned to mate with respective splined inner ends the axle sections. The adapter also comprises a plurality of lugs extending radially outward from the body, and dimensioned and spaced apart thereon so as to snugly fit within respective radially extending openings in the differential case when the openings in the body mate with the respective inner ends of the axle sections. A differential and axle assembly which preferably utilizes such an adapter is also provided.

Abstract: For centering of optic lenses in a mechanical mounting, in particular during edge cutting and bevelling, the invention includes a device with a housing (10), which is resistant to twisting and which supports centering spindles (18, 18') with clamping cups (20, 20') thereon, between which clamping cups a lens (L) can be aligned and clamped for a cutting operation. A motor drive (M, R) acts on a torque divider (50) having a guide member (52) between axially and radially supported plates (58, 58'). Their frictional connection through a ring of balls (54) with controllable contact pressure, which is introduced through a pressure piece (62), assures an absolute synchronous running of the split drive shaft (14, 14') which acts on the centering spindles (18, 18') through belt drives (46, 46').

Abstract: A driving power transmission device having a clutch provided between a first shaft and a second shaft relatively rotatable to each other for transmitting a driving power is provided, wherein a housing to which the first shaft is connected and a piston provided in the housing for actuating the clutch define a cylindrical space in order to receive a plurality of blades rotatable with the second shaft. High viscous fluid is filled within the cylindrical space defined by the housing and the piston. Each of the blades has a convexly curved side surface and a concavely curved side surface located at opposite sides in rotational direction. When the first shaft rotates faster than the second shaft, the convexly curved side surfaces of the blades compulsorily displaces the high viscous fluid within the space in order to generate a pressure actuating the clutch through the piston. In this forward torque transmission, the tranmissive torque becomes relatively large.

Abstract: A differential drive mechanism for automotive vehicles includes a rotary housing rotatably mounted within a support casing and being in drive connection with an input shaft, a pair of split drive axles rotatably carried by the rotary housing coaxially with the rotational axis thereof for relative rotation, a pair of axially spaced pistons slidably disposed within a sealed cylindrical chamber in the rotary housing to be axially inwardly moved by a thrust force applied thereto, a pair of axially spaced clutch assemblies disposed between the pistons for transmitting drive torque from the input shaft to the drive axles when engaged by axially inward movement of the pistons, and an annular intermediate element disposed between the clutch assemblies for applying the thrust force acting on one of the clutch assemblies to the other clutch assembly, wherein the thrust force is produced in response to differential rotation between the rotary housing and the drive axles and applied to the pistons.

Abstract: A limited slip differential is disclosed which includes a first rotary element, a second rotary element, and hydraulic means including a plurality of reciprocal pistons in slidable engagement with internal cam surface means of the first rotary element. The hydraulic means include an accumulator and fluid passage means in fluid communication with the accumulator and each of pressure chambers defined by the pistons. A pressure relief valve is provided in the accumulator chamber to prevent excessive increase in hydraulic fluid pressure in the hydraulic means.

Abstract: A transfer case for a vehicle having full time four-wheel drive includes an interaxle differential connected to the output of a transmission and driving coaxial driveshafts, each connected to a different axleshaft. One of the driveshafts supports a chain sprocket driveably connected by a chain belt to a driveshaft coaxial with the input shaft and output drive shafts. The differential includes a center driving disc, a housing connected to the input, two friction disc clutches each connected to one of the output driveshafts, driven discs connected to input pressure plates associated with each of the disc clutches, a ball drive assembly for engaging and disengaging the friction disc according to the relative angular position of the pressure plates, and a coiled compression spring urging the clutches to an engaged state.

Abstract: The electrically actuated braking system (10) comprises a controller mechanism (14) that may be activated by a switch (12). The controller mechanism (14) sends a signal to an electric drive motor (20), and receives braking force signals from a sensor (16) connected to one of two braking members (18, 19) connected with the drive motor (20). The drive motor (20) is operated by the controller mechanism (14) in order to rotate a drive member (31) of a load-equalizing differential (30), the load-equalizing differential (30) being connected by a flexible drive connection mechanism (50) with the braking members (18, 19). The load-equalizing differential (30) comprises the drive member (31) having a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart openings (34) each of which receives therein a ball member (36, 36A). Disposed about the drive member (31) and balls (36, 36A) and facing each other are two plates (40, 42) each of which is connected with a segment of the flexible drive connection mechanism (50).

Abstract: A limited slip viscous differential in which the housing therefor is gearingly connected with the drive axle and rotates therewith. Each of two output axles from the limited slip viscous differential is connected internally to a viscous coupling for transferring torque from the drive axle to at least one of the two output axles when at least one of the two output axles is rotating an angular velocity different from that of the housing. A structure is provided for releasably retaining each of the output axles within the housing.

Abstract: Structure for and method of driving a motor vehicle including one or more curvilinear drive shafts including a multistrand flexible cable providing primary two wheel drive or permanent or selectively actuable four wheel drive with front or rear mounted power packs oriented North/South or East/West. Torque limiters and clutches are provided between the power pack, drive shafts and wheels and may be selectively actuated in desired sequence. The torque limiters provide torque differentiation between vehicle wheels rather than rotational differentiation and may be utilized for this feature with rigid drive shafts. In different embodiments of the invention, the rear wheels may be driven directly from two separate front to rear drive shafts which may cross each other and the transverse drive shaft may be eliminated. Also, a single curvilinear drive shaft extending over, under or through a vehicle gas tank may be provided between a vehicle power pack and a pinion, ring gear and differential rear axle assembly.

Abstract: A torque transmission device is provided wherein a rotary housing is connected to one of front and rear drive shafts which respectively drive front and rear axles of a four-wheel drive vehicle, while a rotary shaft coaxially carried by the rotary housing is connected to the other of the front and rear drive shafts. The housing receives therein a multiple disc clutch device for transmitting rotational power between the housing and the shaft through friction engagement between alternately arranged outer and inner clutch discs which are respectively rotatable bodily with the housing and the shaft. The housing also receives an axially movable piston to press the clutch discs for friction engagement. An end wall of the housing or an end cap secured thereto and a facing end surface of the piston define an axially narrow circuit chamber, within which a rotary with several radially extending blade portions is received to be rotated by the shaft.

Abstract: A differential drive unit has separate drive shafts extending from a housing. Respective drive plates for each shaft differentially receive rotational power from the housing as such housing rotates. Respective wedges transfer housing rotational power to the respective drive plates, upon engaging inside diameter portions of the housing. Such engagement forces the respective wedges down into contact and frictional engagement with one of the respective drive plates axially inward therefrom. The wedges are carried in circumferential slots defined through the circumference of a cage assembly, which includes an annular member located between the outside diameter of the drive plates and the inside diameter of the housing. Wedges within a given slot include a pair of wedge elements joined together with a spring under compression.

Abstract: In combination with a power transfer device, a power transmission includes a first shaft rotatably mounted within a housing and having an input end for connection to an output shaft of the transmission and an output end for drive connection to a pair of rear road wheels, a second shaft rotatably mounted within the housing in parallel with the first shaft for drive connection to a pair of rear road wheels, a drive member rotatable on the first shaft, a driven member mounted on the second shaft for rotation therewith and being drivingly connected to the drive member, a limited-clip differential in the form of viscous clutch coupling having an outer casing mounted on the first shaft for rotation therewith and coupled in a liquid-tight manner with an inner sleeve rotatably on the first shaft for defining a viscous fluid chamber and for relative rotation thereto, and a clutch sleeve axially movably mounted on a hub portion of the drive member for rotation therewith and shiftable between a first position where it i

Abstract: A differential drive unit receives a rotational input and provides two rotational outputs therefrom. A rotatable housing has fixedly attached therein a drive member, which includes a drive plate transverse angled slots extending from one side thereof to the other. A plurality of movable drive balls are provided in the slots. Disposed within the housing on either side of the drive plate are driven members having semi-spherical drive member-receivers formed therein. Upon rotation of the housing and its drive plate, the drive balls are thrown outwardly in the angled slots and come into contact with available drive ball receivers adjacent thereto. Such contact transfers the rotational drive force from the drive plate to the driven members. Driven members are in turn connected to respective driven shafts with wheels thereon. One wheel can on occasion be caused to be turned faster than the other, such as during a turn. Such occurrence causes its corresponding driven member to move relative to the drive plate.

Abstract: A brake apply system has a rotary input member and two rotary output members which are operable to actuate individual brake mechanisms. Disposed between the input and output members is a differential mechanism which permits differential rotation of the output member so that the brake mechanisms can undergo separate movements during brake application to achieve full braking action. The differential mechanism is comprised of a pair of driven cam members which are rotatable in response to a cam driver which is driven by the input member. The cam driver is movable longitudinally while enforcing differential rotation of the driven cam members to initiate the differential action between the output members.

Abstract: A nutating gear positraction differential composed of two cam operated nutating gear sets, wherein the axles or shafts are connected to the cams of their respective gear sets; the cam operated gear sets transmit motion only from the cams to the gears and not in reverse. This forces the gear sets to lock up as soon as one cam loses its load.

Abstract: A power transmission system suitable for use in a four-wheel drive motorcar. A torque generated from a power source is directly transmitted to a first axle, and it is transmitted to a second axle via a torque transmission device making use of viscosity of fluid. Between the power source and the second axle is provided torque limiter means for limiting a torque transmitted to the second axle to smaller than a preset value. Even if the torque transmission device should take a locked condition, an excessively large torque would not be exerted upon the respective parts in the power transmission system, and hence a torque transmission system can be made light in weight.

Abstract: A differential device using a fluid includes a differential case and a pair of sleeves which are rotatably supported by the differential case. Each of the outer end portions of the sleeves is connectable to one of a pair of rotary output shafts, while the inner end portions of the same are protruded into the case to face each other with a small clearance left therebetween. A chamber to be filled with a viscous liquid is defined between the case and the sleeves. A plurality of drive plates which are rotatable integrally with the case and a plurality of driven plates which are rotatable integrally with the sleeves are disposed in the chamber alternately with each other and in an overlapping manner. Guide rings are interposed between the nearby driven plates to position them at equally spaced locations.

Abstract: There is provided a power transmission unit comprising an input member for receiving a torque input from a ring gear connected to a drive pinion which is connected to a propeller shaft, first and second output members supported by the input member in a freely rotatable manner and engaged with right and left rear wheels, and first and second clutches arranged between the input member and the first and second output members respectively to release the connections between the input member and the first and second output members respectively with the help of the actions of cam devices for releasing clutches when the angular speed of the input member becomes smaller than those of the first and second output members.

Abstract: A differential is disclosed for driving the steering wheels of a multi-wheel-drive vehicle, including holdout rings for maintaining in a disengaged condition an output shaft that overruns an associated output shaft by a given amount. In order to decrease the turning radius of the vehicle, the lug portions on one holdout ring are angularly displaced relative to the lug portions on the other holdout ring, whereby the overrunning output shaft is maintained in a disengaged condition during a sharp turn that produces overrunning of the output shaft above a given value.

Abstract: A limited-slip differential gear unit has end adjustable slip-limitation according to the operation mode of the adjustable suspension system. A control system for the limited-slip differential gear unit, which controls the slip-limitation is associated with a suspension control system to receive therefrom a suspension mode indicative signal to select one of a plurality of preset characteristics to derive a slip-limit control signal. The limited-slip differential gear unit includes a slip-limit adjusting mechanism which is responsive to the control signal for adjusting the slip-limitation to be generated by the limited-slip differential gear unit.

Abstract: A power transmission device is provided. The device comprises a casing for receiving a torque input, output members arranged inside the casing, movable members provided movably around the output members respectively, one side face of each of the movable members forming a cam face, clutches adapted for connecting the casing with the output members, and a cam shaft fixed to the casing and located between the movable members, wherein the torque input of the casing is transmitted to the output members through two routes, i.e., through the cam and the movable members, and through the clutches. The power transmission device is further provided with several improved parts such as improved friction faces, resistant members, cam faces, and pin.

Abstract: Each drive axle of a vehicle has an identical lockable differential which is controlled by a pneumatic control circuit. The control circuit is responsive to the accelerator pedal and the direction of movement of the vehicle. Each differential has a sliding collar which actuates one set out of two sets of sliding blocks to lock the differential. The collar has two cam surfaces on its inner periphery to alternately engage the two sets of sliding blocks. The sliding blocks engage chock slots located in the outer surface of a center ring and slide in radially disposed bores perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the differential. The pneumatic control circuit has electric switches which regulate the air flow and simultaneously engage all of the differential locks.

Abstract: A motor vehicle four-wheel-drive transmission employs an interwheel differential gear in a first axle, and solely viscous fluid coupling device in a second axle for differential transmission of drive to the road wheels of the second axle only when a speed-difference is established between the first and second road wheels, the two axles being mutually in direct driving connection through respective propeller shafts commonly driven by a change-speed box. In one arrangement of axle with a viscous fluid coupling device, a crown wheel is mounted co-axially on a housing of such coupling device from which nearside and offside half-shafts extend driven by separate sets of "inner" annular plates interleaved with those of an "outer" set of annular plates driven by the housing. In another similar arrangement, two separate viscous fluid couplings are used, the housings thereof being driven by a common crown wheel.

Abstract: A final reduction gear comprising a pair of bevel gears are provided between a rear drive shaft and a rar axle shaft. A pair of oil hydraulic clutches are provided on both ends of the rear axle shaft for transmitting output of the final reduction gear to rear wheels of a motor vehicle respectively. Pressure of oil appplied to each of the clutches is controlled in accordance with driving conditions of the vehicle thereby controlling transmitting torque capacity of each clutch at cornering.

Abstract: A viscous fluid rear axle coupling apparatus for a front engine vehicle having a front transaxle drivingly interconnected to its front pair of wheels. The viscous coupling apparatus includes power transfer means adapted to convert the rotation of the vehicle's longitudinal propeller shaft into rotation of an outer drum of the apparatus about a transverse axis. The outer drum concentrically surrounds a pair of coaxial right and left inner drums enclosed in a housing chamber filled with viscous fluid. Each inner drum is drivingly connected to respective right and left rear wheel output shafts extending transversely outboard therefrom. Each inner drum has a set of inner plates interleaved with a single set of outer plates of the outer drum. The apparatus functions as an interaxle and limited slip differential during four wheel drive as well as a conventional differential allowing the rear wheels to rotate different amounts during its two wheel and on-demand four wheel drive modes.

Abstract: The improved differential apparatus includes an annular center cam member having an internal radially-inwardly directed alignment shoulder the opposite end surfaces of which are engaged by the adjacent ends of the side gears, respectively, which side gears include external annular flanges the remote surfaces of which abut the differential housing end walls, respectively, thereby to accurately position the center cam member relative to the annular center driver member, whereby the use of a snap ring for centering the center cam member relative to the center driving member is avoided. In the illustrated embodiment, the use of conventional holdout rings is avoided, thereby reducing the complexity and cost of the apparatus.

Abstract: A non-differential drive axle which utilizes a pair of bi-directional overunning clutches. The axle includes a housing within which a gear support is rotatably journalled. An intermediate shaft is connected to a gear support and is rotatably journalled at one end in the housing. The axle includes a pair of output shafts, one of which can be connected to the gear support for conjoint rotation by one of the overrunning clutches. The other output shaft can be connected to the intermediate shaft for conjoint rotation by the other overrunning clutch.

Abstract: A locking means fitted within a conventional automotive vehicle type differential housing assembly normally couples the wheel axles to the power rotated housing so that the axles are driven by and rotate with the housing. When either axle rotates faster than the other axle and the housing, the locking means momentarily uncouples the faster rotating axle so that it freewheels, while the other axle continues to be driven. The locking means includes a pair of axially aligned, closely spaced apart coupling rings, each of which surrounds a bushing-like hub mounted upon an axle end portion located within the housing. A diametrically arranged, drive rod of hexagonal cross-section is positioned between the rings and extends through opposite pairs of aligned V-shaped notches formed in the facing ends of the rings. The outer ends of rod are fastened to the housing for rotating therewith. The walls of the notches are parallel to, but slightly spaced from, their adjacent rod faces.

Abstract: A positive drive (10) utilizing clutch sleeves (46, 62) having internal splines (48, 64) for splined connection to clutch cams (30, 32) and certain of the clutch (42, 44) friction discs (54, 66) is provided. The positive drive utilizes a drive cam (22) comprising a radially inner ring portion (24) carrying cam surfaces (84, 86) for operative engagement with cam follower ramp surfaces (88, 90) of the clutch cams and radially outwardly extending arm portions (26) for mounting to the positive drive housing (12). Each of the clutch sleeves define axially extending balking fingers (100, 102) which extend through the circumferential space between the arm portions of the drive cam and which are located radially outwardly of the ring portion (24) for interengagement to limit the relative rotational freedom between the clutch cams.

Abstract: A positive drive (10) utilizing a secondary clutch (76, 78, 132, 134) to frictionally couple the drive cam (22) and housing (12) to the output couplings (34, 36) regardless of engagement of the primary clutch (52, 54 and 66, 68) for preload and dampening purposes is provided. The magnitude of the torque transfer capacity of the secondary clutch between the drive cam and the faster rotating output coupling includes a fixed magnitude component supplied by a resilient biasing member (72 and 74) and a variable magnitude component which increases with increases in the magnitude of difference between torque transmitted to the slower and faster rotating wheels by the clutches associated therewith.

Abstract: An off-the-road vehicle having at least two rear wheels mounted on axles which are journaled for rotation within the housing of a torque transfer type differential whereby drive power from the motor is coupled to the slower rotating one of the two rear axles.