Patent US3871249A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3871249A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Lock-up differential including speed-responsive inhibiting means
Assignee: Dyneer Corp
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Filing: 1974-03-01
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Granted: 1975-03-18
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Expires: 1994-03-01
Abstract
Abstract A differential mechanism of the lock-up type is disclosed which includes speed-responsive inhibiting means for preventing lock-up in the event that the speed of the input shaft (or, in the alternative, the engine shaft) exceeds a predetermined given value. The inhibiting means is connected with the differential housing opposite the shift control lever which operates the axially-displaceable lock-up collar, said inhibiting means being operable between inhibiting and non-inhibiting positions realtive to the shift control lever by solenoid means, pressure or vacuum motor means, or the like. Alarm means are provided for affording a visible and/or audible alarm in the event that the inhibiting member fails to be displaced to the inhibiting position when the shaft speed exceeds the predetermined given value.
Inventors
- 👤 Ellis E Jeffers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 18:59
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H48/00; F16H48/20; F16H48/30; B; B60; B60K; B60K23/00; B60K23/08; B60K23/0808; B60K31/00; B60K31/18; F16H48/24; F16H48/34; F16H59/00; F16H2048/204; F16H2048/305; F16H2048/343; F16H2048/346; F16H2700/00; F16H2700/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
In a differential mechanism of the lock-up type driven by an engine shaft and including a housing, an input shaft rotatably connected with said housing, differential means driven by said input shaft, said differential means including first and Second differential shafts, and lock-up means operable alternately between disengaged and engaged conditions to disconnect and connect said second differential shaft with said first differential shaft, thereby to release and to lock-up the differential means, respectively; the improvement which comprises inhibiting means for preventing said lock-up means from connecting said second differential shaft with said first differential shaft when the speed of one of said engine and input shafts exceeds a given value, whereby damage to said lock-up means at high shaft speeds is avoided.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
In a differential mechanism of the lock-up type driven by an engine shaft and including a housing, an input shaft rotatably connected with said housing, differential means driven by said input shaft, said differential means including first and Second differential shafts, and lock-up means operable alternately between disengaged and engaged conditions to disconnect and connect said second differential shaft with said first differential shaft, thereby to release and to lock-up the differential means, respectively; the improvement which comprises inhibiting means for preventing said lock-up means from connecting said second differential shaft with said first differential shaft when the speed of one of said engine and input shafts exceeds a given value, whereby damage to said lock-up means at high shaft speeds is avoided.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, and further including normally de-activated alarm means, and means for activating said alarm means when said lock-up means is in the engaged condition and the speed of said one shaft exceeds said given value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
133 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said second differential shaft is cylindrical and is concentrically mounted coaxially upon said first differential shaft; and further wherein said lock-up means includes a lock-up collar non-rotatably connected with and mounted for axial sliding movement on said first differential shaft for displacement between engaged and disengaged positions relative to said second differential shaft, respectively, said collar including lock-up teeth for engaging corresponding teeth on said second differential shaft when said collar is in the engaged position, and shift control means for shifting said lock-up collar between said engaged and disengaged positions, said inhibiting means being operable to engage said shift control means and prevent the same from shifting said lock-up collar to the engaged position when the speed of said one shaft exceeds said given value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
117 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said inhibiting means comprises a. solenoid means including a stator connected with said housing, and an armature movable relative to said stator in accordance with the state of energization of said solenoid means, said stator being so arranged relative to said shift control means that when said solenoid means has first and second states of energization, said armature has non-inhibiting and inhibiting positions, respectively, relative to said shift control means; and b. means responsive to the rotational speed of one of said engine and input shafts for causing said first and second states of energization when the speed of said input shaft is below and above said given value, respectively.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said speed responsive means includes tachometer means driven by one of said engine and input shafts for effecting said first and second states of energization of said solenoid means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
84 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said solenoid means is de-energized and energized when in said first and second states of energization, respectively; and further including electrically operable alarm means, and switch means for connecting said alarm means in parallel with said solenoid means when said armature is in the non-inhibiting position, whereby when the speed of said input shaft exceeds said given value and said armature fails to move to the inhibiting position, said alarm means is activated via said switch means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6, and further including spring means biasing said armature toward the non-inhibiting position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
86 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said shift control means includes a shift control lever pivotally connected intermediate its ends with said housing, one end of said shift control means being connected with said lock-up collar, spring means biasing said shift control lever in one direction to effect disengagement of said collar from said second differential shaft, and means adjacent the other end of said lever for pivoting said lever in the opposite direction to effect engagement of said collar with said second differential shaft.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said inhibiting means includes solenoid means connected with said housing for preventing pivotal movement of said shift control lever in said opposite direction when the speed of one of said engine and input shafts exceeds said given value.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said inhibiting means comprises pressure motor means connected with said housing for preventing pivotal movement of said shift control lever in said opposite direction when the speed of said input shaft exceeds said given value.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 7, and further including means for adjusting the effective inhibiting position of said inhibiting means relative to said shift control lever.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-17 | 1978-09-16 | 1979-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-17 | 1982-09-16 | 1983-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-17 | 1986-09-16 | 1987-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |