US5342255A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Locking mechanism for driving axle differential
Assignee: Eaton Corp
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Filing: 1992-11-16
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Granted: 1994-08-30
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Expires: 2012-11-16
Abstract
Abstract A drive axle differential has the shift fork for the differential locking curvic clutch collar slidably received over a push-rod and registered against a flange on the push-rod. The push-rod has one end slidably received in a bore in the differential carrier and the other end threadedly engaging an air pressure power piston. A slot is provided in the threaded end of the push-rod for an adjustment tool and a locking screw is threaded against the push-rod after adjustment. The piston cover containing the air pressure control signal port then attached to the differential carrier.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven G. Slesinski
- 👤 Bruce A. Muselin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:36
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H48/00; F16H48/20; F16H48/30; B; B60; B60K; B60K17/00; B60K17/34; B60K17/344; B60K17/346; F15; F15B; F15B15/00; F15B15/20; F15B15/24; F16H48/06; F16H48/08; F16H48/24; F16H48/34; F16H2048/204; F16H48/38; F16H48/42; F16H2048/423; F16H2048/426; F16H2200/00; F16H2200/20; F16H2200/203; F16H2200/2071; F16H48/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
212 words
An adjustable locking mechanism for a drive axle differential comprising: (a) an axle carrier having a drive pinion journalled thereon and a differential carrier driven by said pinion and having oppositely directed axle shaft journalled therein with each shaft having a side gear drivingly attached thereto and engaged by a pair of power dividing spider gears journalled on said case; (b) means defining curvic clutching surfaces on said carrier and rotatable therewith; (c) an annular clutching member drivingly disposed on one of said axle shafts and axially movable thereon for engaging and disengaging said curvic clutch surfaces; (d) an actuator member movably disposed with respect to said housing and operable, upon movement between a first and second position, to effect said engaging and disengaging of said clutching member; (e) pressure-responsive means operably connected to said actuator member for, in response to an air pressure signal, effecting movement of said actuator member; (f) means for adjusting the connection of said pressure-responsive means with said actuator member comprising a push-rod rotatably received through an aperture in said member and threadedly engaging said pressure-responsive means wherein said means for adjusting the connection extends through a housing, said housing encloses said adjustable locking mechanism and said means for adjusting is adjustable from outside of said housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
212 words
An adjustable locking mechanism for a drive axle differential comprising: (a) an axle carrier having a drive pinion journalled thereon and a differential carrier driven by said pinion and having oppositely directed axle shaft journalled therein with each shaft having a side gear drivingly attached thereto and engaged by a pair of power dividing spider gears journalled on said case; (b) means defining curvic clutching surfaces on said carrier and rotatable therewith; (c) an annular clutching member drivingly disposed on one of said axle shafts and axially movable thereon for engaging and disengaging said curvic clutch surfaces; (d) an actuator member movably disposed with respect to said housing and operable, upon movement between a first and second position, to effect said engaging and disengaging of said clutching member; (e) pressure-responsive means operably connected to said actuator member for, in response to an air pressure signal, effecting movement of said actuator member; (f) means for adjusting the connection of said pressure-responsive means with said actuator member comprising a push-rod rotatably received through an aperture in said member and threadedly engaging said pressure-responsive means wherein said means for adjusting the connection extends through a housing, said housing encloses said adjustable locking mechanism and said means for adjusting is adjustable from outside of said housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The mechanism defined in claim 1, wherein said push-rod is also slidably received on said aperture and includes surfaces thereon for registration against said member and said means for adjusting spring biasing said push-rod surfaces in registration with said member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The mechanism defined in claim 1, wherein said pressure-responsive means comprises a piston with said push-rod centrally threaded thereon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The mechanism defined in claim 1, wherein said pressure-responsive means comprises a piston formed of steel material with said push-rod centrally threaded therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The mechanism defined in claim 1, wherein said pressure-responsive means comprises a piston with said push-rod centrally threaded therein and said means for adjusting including a locking screw threaded in said piston.
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) | 1997-08-29 | 1998-02-28 | 1998-08-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-08-29 | 2002-02-28 | 2002-08-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-08-29 | 2006-02-28 | 2006-08-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |