US3837236A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Locking differential
Assignee: Aisin Corp
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Filing: 1972-07-20
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Granted: 1974-09-24
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Expires: 1992-07-20
Abstract
Abstract A locking differential applicable to a vehicle in which the relative rotation between a pair of side gears connected, respectively to the corresponding wheels of the vehicle is regulated by a pair of clutch means which are allowed to create their locking function by frictional resistance forces produced at the clutch means under the relative rotation, wherein the driving torque from an engine is transmitted to the side gears through a pinion shaft secured to a case rotatable thereby, and collar means disposed outside the side gears and the clutch means, the collar means being provided with cam surfaces thereon cooperating with the pinion shaft whereby the collar means are adapted for spreading toward the clutch means to further increase the frictional resistance forces.
Inventors
- 👤 T Kagata
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 20:22
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H48/00; F16H48/20; F16H48/22; F16H48/06; F16H48/08; F16H48/38; F16H48/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
208 words
A locking differential for a vehicle with a power source comprising: a case rotated by a driving torque transmitted from said power source; a pair of side gears disposed within said case and operatively connected to wheels of said vehicle; pinion shaft means disposed between said side gears and rotatable with said case; a plurality of pinion gears rotatably disposed on said pinion shaft means, each of said pinion gears being in mesh with said side gears; a pair of collar means slidably disposed respectively outside said side gears and rotatable with said pinion shaft means; a pair of clutch means disposed in said case, each of said clutch means comprising a plurality of inner clutch plates operatively directly connected with each of said side gears and a plurality of outer clutch plates operatively directly connected with each of said collar means and movable therewith independent of said case, thereby to create their locking function by a frictional resistance force being produced upon relative rotation of said side gears; and cam means arranged between each of said collar means and said pinion shaft means for causing said collar means to move towards said clutch means upon the relative rotation of said collar means and said pinion shaft means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
208 words
A locking differential for a vehicle with a power source comprising: a case rotated by a driving torque transmitted from said power source; a pair of side gears disposed within said case and operatively connected to wheels of said vehicle; pinion shaft means disposed between said side gears and rotatable with said case; a plurality of pinion gears rotatably disposed on said pinion shaft means, each of said pinion gears being in mesh with said side gears; a pair of collar means slidably disposed respectively outside said side gears and rotatable with said pinion shaft means; a pair of clutch means disposed in said case, each of said clutch means comprising a plurality of inner clutch plates operatively directly connected with each of said side gears and a plurality of outer clutch plates operatively directly connected with each of said collar means and movable therewith independent of said case, thereby to create their locking function by a frictional resistance force being produced upon relative rotation of said side gears; and cam means arranged between each of said collar means and said pinion shaft means for causing said collar means to move towards said clutch means upon the relative rotation of said collar means and said pinion shaft means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A locking differential as set forth in claim 1, wherein said cam means comprises cam surfaces formed respectively on said collar means and said pinion shaft means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
175 words
A locking differential for a vehicle with a power source comprising: a case rotated by a driving torque transmitted from said power source; a pair of side gears disposed within said case and operatively connected to wheels of said vehicle; pinion shaft means disposed between said side gears and secured to said case thereby to rotate with said case; a pair of pinion gears rotatably disposed on said pinion shaft means, each of said pinion gears being in mesh with said side gears; a pair of collar means slidably disposed respectively outside said side gears and rotatable with said pinion shaft means; a pair of clutch means engaged respectively with said side gears and said collar means to create their locking function by a frictional resistance force being produced upon relative rotation of said side gears; and cam means arranged between each of said collar means and said pinion shaft means for causing said collar means to move towards the clutch means upon the relative rotation of said collar means and said pinion shaft means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
175 words
A locking differential for a vehicle with a power source comprising: a case rotated by a driving torque transmitted from said power source; a pair of side gears disposed within said case and operatively connected to wheels of said vehicle; pinion shaft means disposed between said side gears and secured to said case thereby to rotate with said case; a pair of pinion gears rotatably disposed on said pinion shaft means, each of said pinion gears being in mesh with said side gears; a pair of collar means slidably disposed respectively outside said side gears and rotatable with said pinion shaft means; a pair of clutch means engaged respectively with said side gears and said collar means to create their locking function by a frictional resistance force being produced upon relative rotation of said side gears; and cam means arranged between each of said collar means and said pinion shaft means for causing said collar means to move towards the clutch means upon the relative rotation of said collar means and said pinion shaft means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
A locking differential as set forth in claim 3, wherein said side gears comprise hub portions on the outer peripheries thereof having splines formed thereon and engaging said clutch means, each of said hub portions being adapted for contacting said case.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
197 words
A locking differential for a vehicle with a power source comprising: a case rotated by a driving torque transmitted from said power source, a pair of side gears disposed within said case and operatively connected to wheels of said vehicle; pinion shaft means disposed between said side gears including three pinion shafts secured respectively to said case thereby to rotate with said case; two pairs of pinion gears, one pair being rotatabLe on one of said pinion shafts and one each of the other pair being rotatable on the others of said shafts, respectively, each of said pinion gears being meshed with said side gears; a pair of collar means slidably disposed respectively outside said side gears and rotatable with said pinion shaft means; a pair of clutch means engaged respectively with said side gears and said collar means to create their locking function by a frictional resistance force being produced upon relative rotation of said side gears; and cam means arranged between each of said collar means and said pinion shaft means for causing said collar means to move toward said clutch means upon the relative rotation of said collar means and said pinion shaft means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
197 words
A locking differential for a vehicle with a power source comprising: a case rotated by a driving torque transmitted from said power source, a pair of side gears disposed within said case and operatively connected to wheels of said vehicle; pinion shaft means disposed between said side gears including three pinion shafts secured respectively to said case thereby to rotate with said case; two pairs of pinion gears, one pair being rotatabLe on one of said pinion shafts and one each of the other pair being rotatable on the others of said shafts, respectively, each of said pinion gears being meshed with said side gears; a pair of collar means slidably disposed respectively outside said side gears and rotatable with said pinion shaft means; a pair of clutch means engaged respectively with said side gears and said collar means to create their locking function by a frictional resistance force being produced upon relative rotation of said side gears; and cam means arranged between each of said collar means and said pinion shaft means for causing said collar means to move toward said clutch means upon the relative rotation of said collar means and said pinion shaft means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
208 words
A locking differential for a vehicle with a power source comprising: a case rotated by a driving torque transmitted from said power source; a pair of side gears disposed within said case and operatively connected to wheels of said vehicle; pinion shaft means disposed between said side gears and rotatable with said case; a plurality of pinion gears rotatably disposed on said pinion shaft means, each of said pinion gears being in mesh with said side gears; a pair of collar means slidably disposed respectively outside said side gears and rotatable with said pinion shaft means; a pair of clutch means engaged respectively with said side gears and said collar means to create their locking function by a frictional resistance force being produced upon relative rotation of said side gears, each of said clutch means comprising a plurality of inner clutch plates on said side gear, a plurality of outer clutch plates on said collar means and spring means for biasing all of said plates toward said collar means; and cam means arranged between each of said collar means and said pinion shaft means for causing said collar means to move toward said clutch means upon the relative rotation of said collar means and said pinion shaft means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
208 words
A locking differential for a vehicle with a power source comprising: a case rotated by a driving torque transmitted from said power source; a pair of side gears disposed within said case and operatively connected to wheels of said vehicle; pinion shaft means disposed between said side gears and rotatable with said case; a plurality of pinion gears rotatably disposed on said pinion shaft means, each of said pinion gears being in mesh with said side gears; a pair of collar means slidably disposed respectively outside said side gears and rotatable with said pinion shaft means; a pair of clutch means engaged respectively with said side gears and said collar means to create their locking function by a frictional resistance force being produced upon relative rotation of said side gears, each of said clutch means comprising a plurality of inner clutch plates on said side gear, a plurality of outer clutch plates on said collar means and spring means for biasing all of said plates toward said collar means; and cam means arranged between each of said collar means and said pinion shaft means for causing said collar means to move toward said clutch means upon the relative rotation of said collar means and said pinion shaft means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-23 | 1978-03-25 | 1978-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-23 | 1982-03-25 | 1982-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-23 | 1986-03-25 | 1986-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |