Zexel-gleason Usa, Inc.

Other

Zexel Torsen Inc.

Joseph E Cilano

A parallel-axis differential comprising a housing rotatable in forward and reverse drive directions about a common axis of rotation of a pair of drive shafts, first and second side gears positioned within the housing for receiving ends of the respective drive shafts for rotation therewith about the common axis, first and second pairs of planet gears positioned within the housing in engagement with the side gears for rotation about respective axes that extend parallel to the common axis of rotation, each of the pairs of planet gears including a leading planet gear member and a following planet gear member, a first toggle having first and second bearing surfaces and being mounted in the housing between the first and second pairs of planet gears, the first bearing surface of the first toggle rotationally supporting the leading member of the first pair of planet gears, the second bearing surface of the first toggle rotationally supporting the following member of the second pair of planet gears, the first toggle being pivotable about a first pivot axis that extends parallel to the planet gear axes for transmitting a gear reactionary force between the leading and following members of the first and second pairs of planet gears; and, an apparatus for controlling the first toggle and for controlling the amount of the gear reactionary force transmitted between the leading and following members of the first and second pairs of planet gears.

Controllable parallel axis differential

Increased friction is generated in a parallel-axis gear differential by wedges 66 having respective bearing surfaces 68 and 70 for rotationally supporting outside diameter surfaces of a pair of planet gears 38 and 40. The wedges 66 react to bearing loads within a differential housing 10 by urging the planet gears 38 and 40 toward a condition of zero backlash with a pair of side gears 34 and 36.

Differential with friction-enhancing wedge

A parallel-axis gear differential (10) has planet gear pairs (46) separated by pivotable toggles (56). A leading member (48) of each planet gear pair (46) is angularly advanced in a forward drive direction (38) with respect to a following member (50) of each planet gear pair (46). First bearing surfaces (60) of the toggles (56) support the leading planet gears (48), and second bearing surfaces (62) support the following planet gears (50). Pivot axes (58) of the toggles (56) are positioned closer to one or the other bearing surfaces (60 or 62) to control force transmissions between the planet gear members (48 and 50).

Differential with pivotable gear mountings

A new gear mounting system for a parallel-axis gear differential includes three pedestals (14) that are spaced apart between an equal number of pairs of planet gears (32 and 34). Each of the pedestals includes two bearing surfaces (52 and 54) for rotationally supporting outside cylinder surfaces of the planet gear members (32 and 34) of adjacent pairs. Similar pedestals (74) can be made pivotable for increasing frictional resistance to differentiation.

Gear mounting system for differential

In the disclosed torque-proportioning type of automotive differential, a parallel-axis planetary gear arrangement interconnects the ends of a pair of coaxial drive axles. The axles are received, respectively, by a pair of sun/side gears having helical teeth and confronting end faces and being interconnected by planetary sets of combination gears. Each combination gear of each planetary set is provided with a narrowed shank portion intermediate two separate and distinct meshing portions in mesh with a respective one of the side gears and/or another combination gear of its respective planetary set. A washer component is positioned with its opposite sides in engagement with the confronting end faces of the side gears and is restrained from rotation by a plurality of radially-extending support regions positioned, respectively, between the shank portions of two combination gears of said planet gear sets. The sides of the washer component can be provided with radial grooves to facilitate lubrication and/or with materials having differing coefficients of friction to modify the torque-bias characteristics of the differential.

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Bergen, NY, United States of America

Joseph E Cilano