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A locking differential gear mechanism of the type which can operate in either a manual mode or an automatic mode. The mechanism includes a gear case (11), and differential gearing including a side gear (23). The side gear (23) includes a flange portion (43) having a set of gear teeth (45), and adjac

A locking differential gear mechanism of the type which can operate in either a manual mode or an automatic mode. The mechanism includes a gear case (11), and differential gearing including a side gear (23). The side gear (23) includes a flange portion (43) having a set of gear teeth (45), and adjacent thereto is a locking member (47), also having a set of gear teeth (49), disposed to engage the gear teeth on the flange portion. A ball ramp actuator is disposed adjacent the locking member (47), which is preferably integral with an inner actuating plate (57). There is an outer actuating plate (59), preferably disposed outside the gear case (11), and a set of cam balls (73) operable with the actuating plates (57,59) to cause ramp-up, and engagement of the gear teeth (45,49). An electromagnetic coil assembly (75) is disposed adjacent the ball ramp actuator, and is operable to retard rotation of the outer actuating plate (59), and initiate ramp-up, in response to an electrical input signal. The resulting locking differential is very compact and can be engaged or disengaged very quickly.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A differential gear mechanism of the type including a gear case defining an axis of rotation and a gear chamber; differential gear means disposed in said gear chamber including at least one input gear and first and second output gears; means operable to limit rotation of

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A differential gear mechanism of the type including a gear case defining an axis of rotation and a gear chamber; differential gear means disposed in said gear chamber including at least one input gear and first and second output gears; means operable to limit rotation of said first output gear relative to said gear case for common rotation therewith; actuating means for said rotation limiting means, said actuating means including first and second actuating plates comprising a cam and ramp type actuator, wherein relative rotation of said first and second actuating plates from an unactuated condition to an actuated condition is effective to move said rotation limiting means toward an engaged condition; said second actuating plate being disposed, in said unactuated condition, to rotate with said gear case; an electromagnetic actuator disposed adjacent said second actuating plate, and including friction means, operable in response to an electrical input signal to move to an actuated position in frictional engagement with said second actuating plate, effective to cause relative rotation of said actuating plates to said actuated condition; characterized by:(a) said rotation limiting means comprising a locking member disposed adjacent said first actuating plate, and fixed to be non-rotatable relative to said gear case and axially moveable relative to said gear case;(b) a locked member fixed for rotation with said first output gear; and(c) said locking member and said locked member cooperating to define means for locking said members to be non-rotatable relative to each other when said actuating plates rotate to said actuated condition, whereby said first output gear is locked to said gear case.