Unlocking differential

Claim 2

In a differential (10) having a housing (12) rotated by a drive shaft (24), a pair of axles (44,46) driven by the differential extending along the rotational axis of the housing and having respective inner ends (48,50) within the housing, differential gears (56,58) rotatably supported by the housing and drivingly connecting together the housing and the inner ends of the axles, a locking mechanism comprising: a pair of axially opposed cams (66,68) carried by one of the axles (44) and rotating therewith, one of said cams (66) being axially movable between operative and inoperative positions; means (76) biasing said one cam (66) toward operative position in meshed engagement with the other cam (68); locking means (98) associated with said one cam (66) and engaging cooperating means (96) carried by the housing when said cams (66,68) are engaged, said one cam (66) providing rotational backlash between the housing and said one axle (44) so that interaction of said cams (66,68) during differential rotation of said cams (66,68) moves said one cam (66) axially out of engagement with the housing; and lockout means (70) for maintaining said cams (66,68) in spaced disengaged relation during differential rotation of the axles (44,46).

Claim 3

In a differential (10) having a housing (12) rotated by a drive shaft (24); a pair of axles (44,46) driven by the differential extending along the rotational axis of the housing and having respective inner ends (48,50) within the housing and differential gears (56,58) rotatably supported by the housing and drivingly connecting together the housing and the inner ends of the axles, a locking mechanism comprising: a first cam ring (68) connected to one axle (44) for rotation therewith; locking means (92) carried by the housing; and a second cam ring (66) adapted to cooperate with said first cam ring (68) and having first coupling means (86) for connecting said second cam ring (66) to said one axle (44) for rotation therewith and permitting axial movement therealong between a normally engaged position with said first cam ring (68) and a disengaged position, and second coupling means (99) for connecting said second cam ring (66) to said locking means (92) when said second cam ring (66) is at its engaged position to lock the housing and said one axle together, said second coupling (99) being disconnected from said locking means (92) when said second cam ring (66) is moved away from its engaged position, at least one of said coupling means (86,99) permitting rotational backlash between the housing and said one axle, whereby relative rotation between the housing and said one axle causes differential rotation of said cam rings (66,68) so that said second cam ring (66) is moved axially away from said first cam ring (68) to its disengaged position by the interaction of said cam rings (66,68) with each other.

Claim 4

In a differential (10) having a housing (12) rotated by a drive shaft (24); a pair of axles (44,46) driven by the differential extending along the rotational axis of the housing and having respective inner ends (48,50) within the housing and differential gears (56,58) rotatably supported by the housing and drivingly connecting together the housing and the inner ends of the axles, a locking mechanism comprising: a first cam ring (68) connected to one axle (44) for rotation therewith; locking means (92) carried by the housing; and a second cam ring (66) adapted to cooperate with said first cam ring (68) and having first coupling means (86) for connecting said second cam ring (66) to said one axle (44) for rotation therewith and permitting axial movement therealong between a normally engaged position with said first cam ring (68) and a disengaged position, and second coupling means (99) for connecting said second cam ring (66) to said locking means (92) when said second cam ring (66) is at its engaged position to lock the housing and said one axle together, said second coupling (99) being disconnected from said locking means (92) when said second cam ring (66) is moved away from its engaged position, at least one of said coupling means (86,99) permitting rotational backlash between the housing and said one axle, whereby relative rotation between the housing and said one axle causes differential rotation of said cam rings (66,68) so that said second cam ring (66) is moved axially away from said first cam ring (68) to its disengaged position by the interaction of said cam rings (66,68) with each other.

Claim 5

The differential of claim 2 wherein said first and second cam rings (66,68) each have an annular array of tapered teeth (88,90) interfitting with the teeth of the other cam ring, said second cam ring (66) being axially movable along said one axle.

Claim 6

The differential of claim 3 further including spring means (76) for biasing said second cam ring (66) toward said first cam ring (68) and into meshed engagement therewith.

Claim 7

The differential of claim 2 wherein said second coupling means (99) includes first tooth and slot means (94,96) carried by said housing and second tooth and slot means (98) carried by said second cam ring (66) adjacent the radial edge thereof and adapted to cooperate with said first tooth and slot means (94,96), said second cam ring (66) being axially movable into engagement with said first tooth and slot means (94,96) when said second cam ring (66) is moved to its engaged position to lock said one axle (44) to the housing and out of engagement when said second cam ring (66) is moved to its disengaged position.

Claim 8

The differential of claim 2 further including a lockout ring (70) and a friction ring (72) between the housing and second locking ring (70) to rotate said lockout ring (70) along with said housing, said lockout ring (70) having means (106) for engaging said second cam ring (66) when said second cam ring (66) is at its disengaged position to maintain disengagement as long as differential rotation between said axles exists.

Claim 9

The differential of claim 8 wherein said lockout ring (70) resides between said cam rings (66,68) and has a shoulder portion (106) extending axially toward said second cam ring (66), said second cam ring (66) having a slot (108) of selected circumferential length for receiving said shoulder portion (106), when said cam rings (66,68) move apart, said shoulder portion (106), moving at least partially out of said slot (108) to span the space between said cam rings (66,68) to maintain a predetermined distance therebetween.