Electronically controllable limited slip differential having nonmagnetic casing portion

• US 6,019,694 A
• Filed: 02/24/1999
• Issued: 02/01/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Auburn Gear, LLC
• Original Assignee: Auburn Gear, Inc.
• Inventors: Leeper, Robert, Forrest, James L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wright, Dirk
• Application Number:
  US09/257,281
• Time in Patent Office: 342 Days
• Field of Search: 74/606 R, 475/230, 475/231, 475/233, 475/234, 475/150
• US Class Current: 475/150
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2048/204 Control of arrangements for suppressing differential actions
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2048/346 using a linear motor
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 48/22 using friction clutches or brakes
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 48/30 using externally-actuatable means
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 48/34 using electromagnetic or electric actuators

Abstract

A controllable differential having a rotatable casing, differential gearing disposed within the rotatable casing and linking the casing with an output element disposed therein, a clutch disposed within the rotatable casing and clutch adapted to transfer torque between the rotatable casing and the output element, and an electromagnet arranged to generate a generally toroidal magnetic flux path encircling the electromagnet and magnetically forcing the clutch into engagement with the rotatable casing, the casing including a nonmagnetic portion adjacent the electromagnet, said flux path surrounding the nonmagnetic casing portion.

Claims

1. A controllable differential, comprising:

a rotatable casing,

differential gearing disposed within said rotatable casing, said differential gearing linking said casing with an output element disposed in said rotatable casing;

a clutch disposed within said rotatable casing, said clutch adapted to transfer torque between said rotatable casing and said output element; and

an electromagnet arranged to generate a generally toroidal magnetic flux path encircling said electromagnet and magnetically forcing said clutch into engagement with said rotatable casing;

said casing including an endcap, said endcap comprising a nonmagnetic portion adjacent said electromagnet, and a magnetic portion, said magnetic and nonmagnetic portions secured to each other, said flux path surrounding said nonmagnetic casing portion.

2. The differential of claim 1, wherein said magnetic and said nonmagnetic endcap portions each comprise mating powdered metal elements which are interfitted and sintered together.

3. The differential of claim 2, wherein said magnetic and said nonmagnetic powdered metal elements are interfitted along mating frustoconical surfaces.

4. The differential of claim 1, wherein said magnetic endcap portion partly defines the configuration of said nonmagnetic endcap portion, said nonmagnetic portion made of powdered metal.

5. The differential of claim 1, wherein said nonmagnetic endcap portion partly defines the configuration of said magnetic endcap portion, said magnetic portion made of powdered metal.

6. The differential of claim 1, wherein said magnetic and nonmagnetic endcap portions are threadedly secured to each other.

7. The differential of claim 1, wherein said magnetic and nonmagnetic endcap portions are welded together.