Abstract:
A limited slip differential assembly can include a sleeve, a support shaft, and a clutch assembly. The sleeve can have a sleeve aperture centered on and extending along an axis. The sleeve can also have a first set of splines projecting inwardly from the sleeve aperture. The sleeve can be operable to engage an axle through the first set of splines. The support shaft can have an outer surface, a support shaft aperture centered on and extending along the axis, and a second set of splines projecting from the outer surface. The support shaft can be adjacent to the sleeve along the axis and be operable to encircle and freely rotate relative to the axle. The clutch assembly can be operable to selectively interlock the sleeve and the support shaft.
Abstract:
A clutch system selectably connects a vehicle rear axle to a motor. The clutch system includes an intermediate shaft to fixably attach to a side gear of a differential for rotation therewith. A case of the differential is connected to the motor via a gear train. Another side gear of the differential is affixed to an output shaft, and the output shaft extends through a center of rotation of an armature of the motor to connect to a road wheel of a vehicle. A clutch is to selectably connect the intermediate shaft to another output shaft connected to another road wheel of the vehicle. An actuator is to actuate the clutch to an engaged state and thereby selectably connect the intermediate shaft to the other output shaft. The output shaft, the other output shaft, and the motor rotate independently when the clutch is not in the engaged state.
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.
Abstract:
A differential gear mechanism constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure can include a planetary gear assembly having a plurality of planetary gears rotatably mounted on a corresponding plurality of planetary gear shafts. A first differential case portion can have a plurality of first planetary gear shaft mounting surfaces. A second differential case portion, separately formed from the first differential case portion can have a plurality of second planetary gear shaft mounting surfaces. A differential gear assembly can be arranged in at least one of the first and second differential case portions. The first and second plurality of gear shaft mounting surfaces can cooperate to mount the corresponding plurality of planetary gear shafts in an assembled position.
Abstract:
A limited slip differential assembly includes a planetary gear assembly, a differential case, a differential gear assembly and a hydraulic clutch assembly. The differential case is coupled for rotation with a portion of the planetary gear assembly. The differential gear assembly is arranged within the differential case and includes a first side gear and a second side gear for coupling with first and second drive wheels of a vehicle, respectively. The hydraulic clutch assembly includes a clutch pack and a clutch actuator. Pressurized hydraulic fluid from a transmission pump is selectively provided to the clutch pack to actuate the clutch pack between an open configuration, in which the side gears rotate independently, and a fully closed configuration, in which the side gears rotate together such that the first and second drive wheels rotate at a same speed.
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 planetary gear assembly having a plurality of planetary gears rotatably mounted on a corresponding plurality of planetary gear shafts. A first differential case portion can have a plurality of first planetary gear shaft mounting surfaces. A second differential case portion, separately formed from the first differential case portion can have a plurality of second planetary gear shaft mounting surfaces. A differential gear assembly can be arranged in at least one of the first and second differential case portions. The first and second plurality of gear shaft mounting surfaces can cooperate to mount the corresponding plurality of planetary gear shafts in an assembled position.
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.