Eaton Corporation

Ralph E Holmquist

David Allen Janson

Robert Joseph Kyle

Keith E Morgensai

Phillip E Konkle

Carl R Binkley

Leo M Weeks

A locking differential of the type including a clutch pack (,) actuated by a cam arrangement (,) to lock the side gears (,) relative to the gear case (,). Lock-up is initiated by retarding rotation of one of the cam members (,), by means of a flyweight mechanism (,). Disposed adjacent the flyweight mechanism is a latch mechanism (,) which comprises an integral, generally U-shaped member including a bottom portion (,) and a pair of upright leg portions (,). The bottom portion defines a pair of integral latch member (,), each of which is disposed to engage one of the flyweights (,) when the latch mechanism is in its operative position. Each of the upright leg portions includes a pair of individual leg portions (,) disposed on opposite sides of the pinion shaft (,), extending past the axis of rotation (A), and engaging a weight (,) disposed in a window (,) on the opposite side of the gear case (,) from the flyweight mechanism.

Compact locking differential

A locking differential is disclosed having a clutch pack (35) operable to retard rotation between a gear case (11) and a pair of sidegears (23,25). A cam (41) is operatively associated with the clutch and includes an axially movable cam member (43) to engage the clutch pack. The clutch pack includes active clutch discs (63,73) operable to effect the rate of engagement of the clutch pack. At least one pair of active disc surfaces having pyrolytic carbon friction material (75) and the other surface having a non-pyrolytic carbon friction material. With repeated use and increasing temperature, the rate of engagement of the clutch pack increases, providing a 'variable rate' locking differential.

Variable rate locking differential with pyrolitic-carbon friction clutch

An improved differential gear mechanism is disclosed of the type including a clutch pack (35) operable to limit differentiating action of a pair of side gears (23,25) relative to a differential case (11). The clutch pack (35) is engaged by a cam means (41) including a pair of cam members (23,43) having engaging cam surfaces (45,47). Initiation of engagement of the clutch pack (35) may occur in response to an external signal (83) by means of a pair of actuation members (53) which engage one of the cam members (43). The actuation members include terminal portions (57) which extend to the exterior of the gear case and engage a cam surface (77;101) of an actuating cam member (71;91). The actuating cam member has an outer peripheral retarding surface (79) which may be engaged by a plunger (85;113) of an electromagnetic actuator (81;107) in response to the external signal (83). Engagement of the retarding surface (79) by the plunger causes ramping of the terminal portions (57) on the cam surface, and resulting axial movement of the actuation members (53), thus initiating ramping of the cam (41) and engagement of the clutch pack (35), with relatively little axial force involved, and utilizing a differential structure which is modified only slightly from those now commercially available.

Growing community of inventors

Battle Creek, MI, United States of America

Ralph E Holmquist