US3915267A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Differential and braking assembly
Assignee: Dana Inc
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Filing: 1974-02-25
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Granted: 1975-10-28
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Expires: 1994-02-25
Abstract
Abstract The invention is a differential and braking assembly for use in two wheel drive vehicles. The apparatus accepts rotary power through rotary input means and transfers it through a differential to two separate outputs, allowing the driving wheels to rotate at different speeds while the vehicle is cornering. A one-way clutch is employed to allow the two outputs to freewheel or coast in the forward direction, at the same or different speeds, without rotation of the rotary input means. Reversal of the rotary input means actuates a brake which slows or stops the differential case. This in turn slows or stops both outputs while still maintaining the differential action for vehicle cornering during deceleration. In addition, the apparatus includes an antiback travel feature which automatically engages the brake when the vehicle travels backward and a parking brake feature by which the brake remains set at the braking level employed. The brake may always be released by the application of forward rotary input power or by actuation of a brake release pawl which allows the normally non-rotational brake mechanism to rotate with the differential input. This also allows the vehicle to be driven in reverse by application of input power with a ''''direction'''' opposite to the normal input.
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis William Shea
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 12:51
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62L; B62L5/00; B62L5/18; B60; B60B; B60B35/00; B60B35/12; B60B35/16; B60B35/163; B60B35/18; B62K; B62K11/00; B62K11/02; B62K5/00; B62K5/02; F; F16; F16H; F16H48/00; F16H48/06; F16H48/08; B60B2310/00; B60B2310/30; B60B2310/305; B60B2310/307; B60Y; B60Y2200/00; B60Y2200/10; B60Y2200/12; B60Y2200/122; B60Y2200/13; F16H48/38; F16H48/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A differential and breaking assembly comprising, in combination, a housing, a pair of aligned and independent output shafts mounted within said housing and having ends extending outwardly of said housing, differential means operatively connected to said output shafts, input means including a one-way clutch operatively connected to said differential means for driving said output shafts through said differential means in one direction, braking means releasably connected by releasable connecting means between said differential means and said housing for braking said output shafts upon reverse movement of said input means when said braking means is connected to said housing by said releasable connecting means and said braking means driving said differential means and thereby said output shafts in the other direction upon reverse movement of said input means when said braking means is released by said releasable connecting means from said housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
A differential and breaking assembly comprising, in combination, a housing, a pair of aligned and independent output shafts mounted within said housing and having ends extending outwardly of said housing, differential means operatively connected to said output shafts, input means including a one-way clutch operatively connected to said differential means for driving said output shafts through said differential means in one direction, braking means releasably connected by releasable connecting means between said differential means and said housing for braking said output shafts upon reverse movement of said input means when said braking means is connected to said housing by said releasable connecting means and said braking means driving said differential means and thereby said output shafts in the other direction upon reverse movement of said input means when said braking means is released by said releasable connecting means from said housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
A differential and braking assembly according to claim 1, wherein said differential means includes differential case means mounted for rotation within said housing, a pinion shaft mounted within said differential case means, a pair of pinion gears rotatably mounted on said pinion shaft, and a pair of side gears mounted on respective ones of said output shafts and meshing with said pinion gears.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A differential and braking assembly according to claim 1, wherein said input means comprises an input sleeve concentric with one of said output shafts and a drive sprocket operatively connected to said input sleeve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
84 words
A differential and braking assembly, according to claim 1, wherin said differential means defines a brake shoulder and said braking means includes a braking member mounted within said housing, said braking member having a braking surface spaced from said brake shoulder defined by said differential means, a brake pack assembly positioned between said braking member and said brake shoulder, and means operatively connected between said input means and said braking member for compressing said brake pack assembly upon reverse rotation of said input means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
A differential and braking assembly according to claim 5, wherein said differential means includes a differential case having said brake shoulder defined thereon and wherein said brake pack assembly includes a first set of plates splined to said differential case and a second set of plates splined to said braking member and operatively connected to said housing, said first and second sets of plates being interleaved with one another.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
A differential and braking assembly, according to claim 4, wherein said input drive member comprises an input sleeve having a lead screw dfined on its exterior and wherein said compressing means comprises a lead nut mounted on said lead screw, said lead nut engaging said braking member upon reverse rotation of said input sleeve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
A differential and braking assembly according to claim 1 including a pawl mounted by said housing, said pawl having an arm extending outwardly of said housing and biasing means for urging said pawl inwardly into locking engagement with said braking member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
128 words
A differential and braking assembly comprising in combination: a housing; a pair of aligned and independent output shafts mounted within said housing and having ends extending outwardly of said housing; differential means operatively connected to said output shafts and defining a brake shoulder thereon; input means operatively connected to said differential means for driving said output shafts; braking means including a braking surface spaced from said brake shoulder; a brake pack assembly including a first set of plates splined to said differential case, a second set of plates splined to said brake means, said first and second sets of plates being interleaved with one another; and means operatively connected between said input and said braking member for compressing said brake pack upon reverse rotation of said input means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
128 words
A differential and braking assembly comprising in combination: a housing; a pair of aligned and independent output shafts mounted within said housing and having ends extending outwardly of said housing; differential means operatively connected to said output shafts and defining a brake shoulder thereon; input means operatively connected to said differential means for driving said output shafts; braking means including a braking surface spaced from said brake shoulder; a brake pack assembly including a first set of plates splined to said differential case, a second set of plates splined to said brake means, said first and second sets of plates being interleaved with one another; and means operatively connected between said input and said braking member for compressing said brake pack upon reverse rotation of said input means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
121 words
A differential and braking assembly comprising, in combination: a housing; a pair of aligned and independent output shafts mounted within said housing and having ends extending outwardly of said housing; differential means operatively connected to said output shafts and defining a brake shoulder thereon; input drive member operatively connected to said differential means for driving said output shafts; braking means including a brake surface spaced from said brake shoulder; a brake pack assembly positioned between said braking member and said brake shoulder; and wherein said input drive member comprises an input sleeve having a lead screw defined on its exterior and a lead nut is mounted on said lead screw and driven thereby to engage said brake member upon reverse rotation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
121 words
A differential and braking assembly comprising, in combination: a housing; a pair of aligned and independent output shafts mounted within said housing and having ends extending outwardly of said housing; differential means operatively connected to said output shafts and defining a brake shoulder thereon; input drive member operatively connected to said differential means for driving said output shafts; braking means including a brake surface spaced from said brake shoulder; a brake pack assembly positioned between said braking member and said brake shoulder; and wherein said input drive member comprises an input sleeve having a lead screw defined on its exterior and a lead nut is mounted on said lead screw and driven thereby to engage said brake member upon reverse rotation.
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) | 1978-10-27 | 1979-04-28 | 1979-10-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-27 | 1983-04-28 | 1983-10-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-27 | 1987-04-28 | 1987-10-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |