The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 25, 2022
Filed:
Apr. 16, 2019
Linamar Corporation, Guelph, CA;
Evan Swinger, Farmington Hills, MI (US);
Linamar Corporation, Guelph, CA;
Abstract
An improved differential for a vehicle is provided which includes a disconnect assembly engaged between a ring gear and pinion gears and/or a gear nest associated with the pinion gears, wherein the disconnect assembly is able to disconnect torsional loading of torque between the ring gear and the pinon gears of the differential. The disconnect assembly selectively connects and disconnects the ring gear and pinon gears by preferably disconnecting from the gear nest disposed therebetween. Disconnection of the ring gear and pinion gears allows the ring gear, differential housing, bearings, and rest of the gear box to stop spinning while the wheels of the vehicle are spinning. The differential pinion gears are mechanically connected to the gear nest such that torque can be transferred from the differential gear nest to the differential pinion gears and then to the differential side gears. A spline ring is supported inside the differential housing and defines a mechanical connection which locks the ring gear and the gear nest to transfer torque therebetween, wherein the mechanical connection may be disconnected to unlock the ring gear and gear nest and disconnect such torsional loading to permit rotation of the side gears and pinion gears independent of the ring gear.