LUBRICATION SYSTEM FOR LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL

• US 3,762,503 A
• Filed: 04/14/1971
• Issued: 10/02/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ivan E. Benjamin, William H. Wilder
• Original Assignee: Ivan E. Benjamin, William H. Wilder
• Inventors: Wilder, William H., Benjamin, Ivan E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Antonakas, Manuel A.
• Application Number:
  US05/134,065
• Time in Patent Office: 902 Days
• Field of Search: 192/113.2 184/6,6.12 74/710.5,711
• US Class Current: 184/6.12
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2048/204 Control of arrangements for suppressing differential actions
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2048/405 characterised by features of the bearing of the rotating case
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2048/423 characterised by bearing arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2048/426 characterised by spigot bearing arrangement, e.g. bearing for supporting the free end of the drive shaft pinion
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 48/08 comprising bevel gears
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 48/22 using friction clutches or brakes
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 48/24 using positive clutches or brakes
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 48/30 using externally-actuatable means
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 48/40 characterised by features of the rotating cases
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 48/42 characterised by features of the input shafts, e.g. mounting of drive gears thereon
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/0483 Axle or inter-axle differentials

Abstract

Limited slip differential which is selectively engageable and includes an improved lubrication system. The limited slip mechanism uses a spring loaded friction disk clutch pack which can break away at excessive torque levels and prevent axle shaft breakage. The novel lubrication system provides improved lubrication of the clutch pack under all operating conditions and prolongs the life of the clutch pack.

Claims

1. A lubrication system for a selectively engageable limited slip differential drive mechanism comprising:

a housing having therein torque transmitting means including power input means drivingly connected to a differential case, said differential case containing a differential drive mechanism having at least two driven output gears, a differential case cover secured to the exterior of said differential case and forming a clutch housing with said differential case, a rotatable friction clutch assembly mounted within said clutch housing, said friction clutch assembly comprising;

a friction clutch pack having at least one first friction clutch member secured to the inner walls of said clutch housing for rotation therewith and extending radially inwardly therefrom and at least one second friction clutch member fixed to a plurality of axially disposed circumferentially spaced external splines on an intermediate gear, said intermediate gear being internally splined for selective engagement wit one of said driveN output gears, the spaces between said intermediate gear external splines and said second friction clutch member defining a plurality of axial fluid flow paths therebetween, said axial fluid flow paths having an inlet end, an outlet end leading to a member to be lubricated and a plurality of radial outlets leading to said first and second friction clutch members, and means for resiliently biasing said first and second friction clutch members into frictional contact, a slidable clutch member operable between engaged and disengaged positions for selectively engaging said intermediate gear and said one of said driven output gears, said clutch means in the engaged position frictionally drivingly connecting said power input means and said one output gear, said differential housing including a lubricant reservoir, lubricant pick-up means movable through said reservoir to pick up lubricant and transport the lubricant from said reservoir, lubricant directing means engageable with said pick-up means for removing lubricant from said pick-up means, passage means associated with said pick-up means and extending into said clutch housing for moving lubricant into said inlet ends of said axial fluid flow paths for lubrication of said clutch pack radially outwardly through said friction members by the centrifugal force of the rotating clutch assembly, and exhaust port means through said clutch housing interposed said clutch pack and said lubricant reservoir, said exhaust port means of smaller transverse area than said axial fluid flow paths providing a restriction to lubricant flow through said first and second friction clutch members thereby assuring a portion of the lubricant in said axial fluid flow paths said first and second friction clutch members to the member to be lubricated.

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said passage means associated with said directing means leads into the central portion of said clutch housing, exhausting into contact with said intermediate gear and the inside diameter of said friction clutch pack, and the clearance between the inside of the second friction clutch member and the outer surface of said intermediate gear being sufficient to pass the required supply of lubricant.