Patent ID: 9500268
Filing Date: 2016-11-22
CPC Classification: F16H

Claim Text:
1. A locking differential assembly comprising: a differential case having a first case member and a second case member that cooperate to define a cavity, the first case member having a first end wall; a differential gearset received in the cavity, the differential gearset having a first side gear; and a locking mechanism for selectively locking the first side gear to the differential case for common rotation, the locking mechanism comprising a plurality of lock apertures, a first locking dog, and a second locking dog, the lock apertures being formed in the first end wall, the first locking dog comprising a set of first dog teeth that are fixedly coupled to the first side gear, the second locking dog having an annular body, a set of second dog teeth and a plurality of locking tabs, the set of second dog teeth extending from the annular body and being configured to be engaged with the set of first dog teeth to inhibit relative rotation between the first and second locking dogs, the locking tabs extending radially outwardly from the annular body and being received in the lock apertures, the second locking dog being movable along an axis between a first position, in which the set of second dog teeth is disengaged from the set of first dog teeth to permit relative rotation between the first side gear the differential case, and a second position in which the set of second dog teeth is engaged with the set of first dog teeth to inhibit relative rotation between the first side gear and the differential case; wherein the lock apertures have a first locking surface that is at least partly frusto-conically shaped, and wherein the locking tabs define a second locking surface that is configured to matingly engage the first locking surface.