초록 ▼

A limited slip differential assembly comprising a differential case and two side gears rotatably supported within the differential case. Each of the side gears provided with a pre-loaded clutch pack mounted on a hub portion of the side gear. In one embodiment, a lock ring is permanently pressed on t

A limited slip differential assembly comprising a differential case and two side gears rotatably supported within the differential case. Each of the side gears provided with a pre-loaded clutch pack mounted on a hub portion of the side gear. In one embodiment, a lock ring is permanently pressed on the hub portion of the side gear adjacent a collar and the clutch pack for retaining the clutch pack in a predetermined pre-loaded condition. In a second embodiment, an adjustment collar is threaded onto the side gear and a thrust washer having a selected thickness maintains the pre-load condition. In both embodiment, a side gear/clutch pack assembly may be pre-assembled as a pre-loaded self-contained module before the various components of the differential assembly are assembled in the differential case.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A limited slip differential comprising:a differential case supported for rotation about an axis;a pair of bevel side gears in said case provided at opposite ends thereof, said side gears being arranged for torque transmitting engagement with respective output shafts and

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A limited slip differential comprising:a differential case supported for rotation about an axis;a pair of bevel side gears in said case provided at opposite ends thereof, said side gears being arranged for torque transmitting engagement with respective output shafts and being rotatable within said case about said axis, each of said side gears having an engaging face extending radially outwardly from said axis;a clutch pack associated with at least one of said side gears for frictionally connecting said side gear to said case, said clutch pack disposed adjacent to said engaging face, said clutch pack comprising at least one first member rotationally fast with the associated side gear and at least one second member rotationally fast with said case and, said members being frictionally engageable with one another;a resilient spring member acting on said first and second members;an adjustment collar permitting a fixed pre-load on said first and second members;a non-resilient washer member fixedly positioned with respect to said adjustment collar and said first and second members, said washer member and having a selected yet fixed thickness for maintaining said clutch pack in a predetermined pre-load condition; andat least two bevel planet gears each meshing with both side gears and supported in said case for rotation about a planet gear axis perpendicular to said axis.