Viscous actuated ball ramp clutch having through shaft capability

Abstract

A differential device (,) of the type including a clutch pack (,), engaged by a ball ramp actuator (,), which is initiated by a viscous coupling (,). The output of the device (,) is an output shaft (,) which is hollow and extends through the entire axial extent of the device. The viscous coupling (,) includes, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, an annular input coupling member (,) and an annular output coupling member (,), within the input member, to define therebetween a cylindrical viscous shear chamber (,). The output coupling member (,) at least partially surrounds the first ramp plate (,) of the ball ramp actuator (,), and is in driving engagement therewith, for improved packaging. The clutch pack (,) and the actuator (,) are disposed about the output shaft (,) and axially retained between snap rings (,), so that all axial separation forces generated within the clutch pack and the actuator are taken up within a single member, such as the output shaft (,), rather than being exerted on the connection of the housing (,) and the end cap (,). In the FIG. 5 embodiment, the viscous coupling (,) is in driven engagement with the inner periphery of the first ramp plate (,), with the viscous coupling being of the type including interleaved plates (,).