Abstract:
A method of providing limited slip in a differential assembly includes interconnecting an axle and a differential assembly through a first slippable linkage. The axle is driven in rotation with a first housing of the differential assembly operable to be driven in rotation by a ring gear. A plurality of pinion gears of the differential assembly are positioned in the first housing and are driven in rotation by the first housing. A side gear is fixed to the axle and is meshed with at least some of the pinion gears. The axle is operable to slip relative to the first housing. The first housing, the plurality of pinion gears and the side gear are enclosed within a second housing. The axle extends from a first end positioned within both of the first housing and the second housing to a second end positioned outside of both of the first housing and the second housing.
Abstract:
A differential gear mechanism configured for use with a transaxle housing includes a limited-slip differential assembly including a differential casing defining first and second output shaft openings that receive respective first and second axle shafts. A piston is slidably disposed in the differential casing and configured to actuate a clutch assembly. A bolt-on plenum assembly is configured to bolt onto the transaxle housing and includes a plenum assembly housing, a hydraulic coupling and a motor. The plenum assembly housing defines an axle opening configured to receive one of the first and second axle shafts therethrough. The hydraulic coupling can be arranged on the plenum assembly housing at the axle opening. The motor can be mounted on the plenum assembly housing at the axle opening and be configured to pump hydraulic fluid from the bolt-on plenum assembly, through the hydraulic coupling and into the differential casing to act onto the piston.
Abstract:
A differential gear mechanism configured for use with a transaxle housing includes a limited-slip differential assembly including a differential casing defining first and second output shaft openings that receive respective first and second axle shafts. A piston is slidably disposed in the differential casing and configured to actuate a clutch assembly. A bolt-on plenum assembly is configured to bolt onto the transaxle housing and includes a plenum assembly housing, a hydraulic coupling and a motor. The plenum assembly housing defines an axle opening configured to receive one of the first and second axle shafts therethrough. The hydraulic coupling can be arranged on the plenum assembly housing at the axle opening. The motor can be mounted on the plenum assembly housing at the axle opening and be configured to pump hydraulic fluid from the bolt-on plenum assembly, through the hydraulic coupling and into the differential casing to act onto the piston.
Abstract:
A differential gear mechanism constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure can include a differential casing having a first case housing portion and a second case housing portion. The first and second case housing portions can be coupled together with fasteners. A first and a second side gear can be rotatably mounted within the differential casing. A plurality of pinion gears can be mounted between the first and second side gears. Each of the plurality of pinion gears can be rotatably mounted on a respective pinion gear shaft. Each pinion gear shaft can have first and second ends. The first end of each pinion gear shaft can be aligned with a fastener of the plurality of fasteners such that axial movement of the respective pinion gear shafts is inhibited by contact with a corresponding fastener of the plurality of fasteners.
Abstract:
An electronically actuated locking differential for an automotive vehicle includes a gear case, a pair of side gears disposed within the gear case and operatively adapted for rotation with a corresponding pair of axle half shafts, and a lock plate disposed within the gear case and operably associated with one of the side gears and being movable axially relative to the one of the side gears. The electronically actuated locking differential also includes a return spring disposed within the gear case and cooperating with the lock plate to bias the lock plate axially away from one of the side gears and an electronic actuator cooperating with the lock plate, the electronic actuator having a non-rotating stator disposed about a portion of the gear case, an electromagnetic coil associated with the stator, and a non-rotating armature coupled to the lock plate and being axially movable relative to the stator.
Abstract:
A differential gear mechanism can include a differential casing, a piston and an externally mounted plenum assembly. The differential casing can have a differential gear set configured to selectively rotate a first axle shaft and a second axle shaft. The piston can be slidably disposed in the differential casing and configured to actuate a clutch assembly. The externally mounted plenum assembly can include a plenum assembly housing, a hydraulic coupling and a motor mounted on the plenum assembly housing. The plenum assembly housing can define an axle opening configured to receive one of the first and second axle shafts therethrough. The hydraulic coupling can be arranged on the plenum assembly housing at the axle opening. The motor can be configured to pump hydraulic fluid from the externally mounted plenum assembly, through the hydraulic coupling and into the differential casing to act onto the piston.
Abstract:
A differential gear mechanism constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure can include a differential casing defining first and second output shaft openings. The differential casing can have a case housing portion that defines fluid porting therein. The case housing portion including a hub extending therefrom. The hub can have an inner hub portion and an outer hub portion. The outer hub portion can be stepped down from the inner hub portion. The hub can include a stepped annular face at a transition between the inner and the outer hub portions. A hydraulic transfer bushing can be received by the outer hub of the case housing portion. The hydraulic transfer bushing can define fluid porting therein. The hydraulic transfer bushing can be disposed on the outer hub at a location where the fluid communication porting is fluidly connected to the fluid porting of the case housing portion.
Abstract:
A differential gear mechanism constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure can include a differential case, a clutch pack and a plurality of lock pins. The differential case can include a first differential case portion that defines a first output shaft opening and includes a plurality of clutch ear guides and a plurality of lock pin engaging surfaces. The clutch pack can include a plurality of annular plates that are interleaved between a plurality of annular friction disks. At least one of the annular plates and annular friction disks can include a plurality of radially extending plate ears that are received by the corresponding plurality of clutch ear guides. The plurality of lock pins can be received by the plurality of first lock pin engaging surfaces of the first differential case at locations in-line with the clutch ear guides.