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:
May. 05, 1981
Filed:
Mar. 22, 1979
Edward J Goscenski, Jr, Battle Creek, MI (US);
Phillip E Konkle, Albion, MI (US);
Eaton Corporation, Cleveland, OH (US);
Abstract
A differential gear mechanism of the limited slip type is provided, and includes a mechanism for locking up the differential gear set, and a mechanism for actuating the lockup mechanism. The actuating mechanism includes a flyweight mechanism (71) and a latch mechanism (111). The latch mechanism includes a latch member (115) defining a pair of latch surfaces (125 and 127). The latch mechanism further includes a frame member (113) and a weighted member (117) which is oppositely disposed from the latch member about the axis of rotation of the differential gear set. The weighted member is operable to move the latch mechanism, in opposition to the biasing force of a spring (123), along a straight, generally diametrally-oriented path, in response to increasing rotational speed of the differential gear mechanism. Such movement causes movement of the latch member from an operative position (FIGS. 4 and 5) to an inoperative position (FIG. 8), in which the latch member is incapable of engaging either of the flyweights to prevent rotation of the flyweight mechanism. The position and mode of operation of the weighted member is effective to reduce missed engagements of the actuating mechanism.