Cam gear for mechanical locking differential
First Claim
1. A differential gear mechanism comprising a gear case defining a gear chamber, a differential gear set disposed in said gear chamber, and including at least one input gear and a pair of output gears defining an axis of rotation;
- a lock-up clutch operable to retard differentiating action, and actuating means for actuating said lock-up clutch;
said lock-up clutch being operable between an engaged condition, effective to retard relative rotation between said gear case and said output gears, and a disengaged condition;
said actuating means including cam mechanism operable to effect said engaged condition of said lock-up clutch, and retarding mechanism operable to engage said cam mechanism and retard rotation of one member of said cam means;
characterized by;
said cam mechanism including a first cam member fixed to rotate with one of said output gears and a second cam member free to rotate relative to said first cam member and said output gear, the first cam member defining a first cam surface and the second cam member defining a second cam surface engagable with the first cam surface to impart movement of the second cam member along axis, said first cam member comprising a powdered metal component having a non-machined first cam surface.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved differential gear mechanism is characterized by a cam mechanism including a first cam member fixed to rotate with one of said output gears and a second cam member free to rotate relative to said first cam member and said output gear. The first cam member defines a first cam surface and the second cam member defines a second cam surface engagable with the first cam surface to impart movement of the second cam member along axis. The first cam member comprises a powdered metal component, which provides consistency in the cam surface profile and eliminates the substantial capital equipment needed to machine the cam surface.
27 Citations
4 Claims
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1. A differential gear mechanism comprising a gear case defining a gear chamber, a differential gear set disposed in said gear chamber, and including at least one input gear and a pair of output gears defining an axis of rotation;
- a lock-up clutch operable to retard differentiating action, and actuating means for actuating said lock-up clutch;
said lock-up clutch being operable between an engaged condition, effective to retard relative rotation between said gear case and said output gears, and a disengaged condition;
said actuating means including cam mechanism operable to effect said engaged condition of said lock-up clutch, and retarding mechanism operable to engage said cam mechanism and retard rotation of one member of said cam means;
characterized by;said cam mechanism including a first cam member fixed to rotate with one of said output gears and a second cam member free to rotate relative to said first cam member and said output gear, the first cam member defining a first cam surface and the second cam member defining a second cam surface engagable with the first cam surface to impart movement of the second cam member along axis, said first cam member comprising a powdered metal component having a non-machined first cam surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
- a lock-up clutch operable to retard differentiating action, and actuating means for actuating said lock-up clutch;
Specification