초록 ▼

A locking differential having a collar member (35) fixed to rotate with the gear case (11), but free to move axially, and cooperating with a first sidegear (19) to define interdigitated lock members (41,43) operable, when the collar member is locked (FIG. 1), to prevent rotation of the first sidege

A locking differential having a collar member (35) fixed to rotate with the gear case (11), but free to move axially, and cooperating with a first sidegear (19) to define interdigitated lock members (41,43) operable, when the collar member is locked (FIG. 1), to prevent rotation of the first sidegear relative to the gear case (11). A spring (61) is disposed between the collar member and the gear case, to bias the collar member toward unlocked (FIG. 3). A plurality of actuation members (47) is provided, each having a first end (49) in engagement with the collar member, and a second end (51) in engagement with a ramp plate (53). When the actuating means is in the actuated condition, the ramp plate rotates relative to the gear case, and the actuation members ramp-up on the ramp plate and move the collar member from unlocked to locked.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A differential gear mechanism of the type including a gear case defining 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 prevent rotation of said

What is claimed is: 1. A differential gear mechanism of the type including a gear case defining 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 prevent rotation of said first output gear relative to said gear case; actuating means for actuating said rotation prevention means in response to an input signal; said actuating means comprising a ramp plate disposed about a portion of said gear case adjacent said second output gear, and somewhat radially outward therefrom, said ramp plate being disposed, in an unactuated condition of said actuating means, to rotate with said gear case, said actuating means further including an actuator operable when said actuating means is in an actuated condition, to cause said ramp plate to rotate at a speed of rotation different than that of said gear case; characterized by: (a) a collar member fixed to rotate with said gear case, but free to move axially relative to said gear case, and cooperating with said first output gear to define lock members operable, when said collar member is in a locked position, to prevent rotation of said first output gear relative to said gear case; (b) biasing means disposed axially between said collar member and said gear case, tending to bias said collar member, from said locked position, in a direction toward said second output gear, to an unlocked position; and (c) a plurality of elongated actuation members, each having a first end in engagement with said collar member, and a second end in engagement with said ramp plate whereby, when said actuating means is in said actuated condition, and said ramp plate rotates relative to said gear case, said elongated actuation members ramp-up on said ramp plate and move in an axial direction toward said first output gear, moving said collar member from said unlocked position to said locked position, in opposition to the force of said biasing means. 2. A differential gear mechanism as claimed in claim 1, characterized by said collar member being generally annular, and surrounding an outer cylindrical surface of a portion of said first output gear. 3. A differential gear mechanism as claimed in claim 2, characterized by an inner surface of said collar member defining a first plurality of said lock members, and said outer cylindrical surface of said first output gear defining a second plurality of said lock members, and, said first and second lock members being interdigitated. 4. A differential gear mechanism as claimed in claim 1, characterized by said lock members having an axial dimension of approximately T, whereby said collar member moves an axial distance of about T, as said collar member moves between said locked position and said unlocked position. 5. A differential gear mechanism as claimed in claim 4, characterized by said ramp plate defining a plurality of ramp surfaces, one for each of said plurality of elongated actuation members, each of said ramp surfaces having a ramp rise approximately equal to said axial dimension T, wherein said dimension T is in the range of about 8 mm. to about 12 mm. 6. A differential gear mechanism as claimed in claim 1, characterized by said actuator comprising an electromagnetic coil and said input signal comprises an electric signal. 7. A diferential gear mechanism as claimed in claim 4, characterized by said ramp plate defining a plurality of ramp surfaces, one for each of said plurality of elongated actuation members, each of said ramp surfaces having a ramp rise approximately equal to said axial dimension T.