초록 ▼

An improved differential gear mechanism is characterized by a lockout mechanism (63) operably associated with a flyweight mechanism (53) and including a lockout member (65, 101) positionable, in response to an input signal, in a normal condition and a lockout condition. In the normal condition, the

An improved differential gear mechanism is characterized by a lockout mechanism (63) operably associated with a flyweight mechanism (53) and including a lockout member (65, 101) positionable, in response to an input signal, in a normal condition and a lockout condition. In the normal condition, the lockout member (65, 101) permits a flyweight stop surface (57) to move from the retracted position to the extended position. In the lockout condition, the lockout member (65, 101) prevents the flyweight stop surface (57) from moving from the retracted position to the extended position.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A differential gear mechanism comprising a gear case defining a gear chamber, a differential gear set disposed in said gear chamber, and including at least one input gear and a pair of output gears defining an axis of rotation; a lock-up clutch operable to retard differentiat

What is claimed is: 1. A differential gear mechanism comprising a gear case defining a gear chamber, a differential gear set disposed in said gear chamber, and including at least one input gear and a pair of output gears defining an axis of rotation; a lock-up clutch operable to retard differentiating action, and actuating means for actuating said lock-up clutch; said lock-up clutch being operable between an engaged condition, effective to retard relative rotation between said gear case and said output gears, and a disengaged condition; said actuating means including cam means operable to effect said engaged condition of said lock-up clutch, and retarding means operable to engage said cam means and retard rotation of one member of said cam means, said retarding means comprising a flyweight mechanism rotatable about an axis oriented generally parallel to said axis of rotation, at a speed generally representative of the extent of said differentiating action, and defining a stop surface moveable from a retracted position to an extended position in response to a predetermined extent of differentiating action; said actuating means further including a latch surface disposed to engage said stop surface when said stop surface is in said extended position; characterized by: (a) a lockout mechanism operably associated with said flyweight mechanism and including a lockout member positionable, in response to an input signal, in a normal condition and a lockout condition; (b) in said normal condition, said lockout member permits said stop surface to move from said retracted position to said extended position; and (c) in said lockout condition, said lockout member prevents said stop surface from moving from said retracted position to said extended position. 2. A differential gear mechanism as claimed in claim 1, characterized by said flyweight mechanism including a flyweight member defining said stop surface, said flyweight member defining a pivot portion defining a pivot axis parallel to and spaced apart from said axis of said flyweight mechanism, said stop surface being generally oppositely disposed from said pivot axis. 3. A differential gear mechanism as claimed in claim 1, characterized by said lockout member being generally cylindrical, said normal condition comprising said cylindrical lockout member being disposed axially adjacent said flyweight mechanism, and said lockout condition comprising said cylindrical lockout member at least partially surrounding said flyweight mechanism. 4. A differential gear mechanism as claimed in claim 1, characterized by said lockout mechanism comprises a first annular member having an electromagnetic coil, a second annular member of known magnetic properties positioned around said first annular member and including a ramp, and a movable pin connected to said lockout member and adapted to engage said ramp when said coil is energized to move said lockout member toward said lockout condition. 5. A differential gear mechanism as claimed in claim 4, characterized by said first annular member being stationary with respect to said gear case, such that said gear case rotates relative to said first annular member. 6. A differential gear mechanism as claimed in claim 4, characterized by said second annular member being free to rotate with said gear case when said coil is de-energized and is inhibited from rotating with said gear case when said coil is energized. 7. A differential gear mechanism as claimed in claim 4, characterized by said coil being energized by said input signal. 8. A differential gear mechanism as claimed in claim 4, characterized by said pin being supported by said gear case for movement along an axis generally parallel to said axis. 9. A differential gear mechanism as claimed in claim 4, characterized by said pin being laterally offset from said flyweight mechanism and connected to said lockout member by a connecting member. 10. A differential gear mechanism as claimed in claim 4, characterized by said pin extending through and exiting said gear case adjacent said second annular member, said pin including an end portion orthogonally positioned with respect to a portion of the pin supported within said gear case, said end portion engages said ramp when said coil is energized and rotation of said second annular member is inhibited. 11. A differential gear mechanism as claimed in claim 4, characterized by said ramp including first and second ramp portions and, either of which are engageable by said pin depending on the direction of rotation of said gear case and said pin. 12. A differential gear mechanism as claimed in claim 4, characterized by said pin and said lockout member being urged toward the normal condition by a spring. 13. A differential gear mechanism as claimed in claim 1, characterized by said lockout mechanism comprises a two-piece shaft having a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion upon which said flyweight mechanism is supported for rotation therewith, a first end of first shaft portion is supported by said gear case and a second end of said first shaft portion is supported by said second shaft portion, said first shaft portion or said second shaft portion including said lockout member, which is adapted to be received in a receptacle of the other of said first shaft portion and said second shaft portion. 14. A differential gear mechanism as claimed in claim 13, characterized by said lockout member comprises a protrusion that mates with a correspondingly-shaped receptacle, whereby in the normal condition, said lockout member is received in said receptacle, locking said first and second shaft portions together for concurrent rotation and permitting said stop surface to move from said retracted position to said extended position, and in said lockout condition, said lockout member is withdrawn from said receptacle, allowing said first shaft portion to freely rotate relative to said second shaft portion and preventing said stop surface from moving from said retracted position to said extended position. 15. A differential gear mechanism as claimed in claim 13, characterized by said lockout mechanism including a compression spring disposed between said first and second shaft portions and to urge said first shaft portion away from said second shaft portion. 16. A differential gear mechanism as claimed in claim 13, characterized by said lockout mechanism further comprising an electric solenoid operably associated with said second shaft portion and supported on said gear case for rotation therewith, and a compression spring that urges the second shaft portion toward the first shaft portion, whereby when said solenoid moves said second shaft portion away from said first shaft portion and said lockout member is in said lockout condition said spring is compressed, and when said solenoid is de-energized, said spring forces said second shaft portion toward said first shaft portion, returning said lockout member to said normal condition.