Patent ID: 9309957
Filing Date: 2016-04-12
CPC Classification: F16H

Claim Text:
1. A differential for a vehicle comprising: a differential housing that is rotatable about an axis of rotation; clutch members positioned along the axis of rotation within the differential housing, wherein the clutch members comprise grooves defined by ramp surfaces that converge toward a neutral position; side gears adapted for rotation with corresponding axle half shafts relative to the differential housing about the axis of rotation; a cross pin carried with the differential housing as the differential housing rotates about the axis of rotation; clutch mechanisms each including clutch packs for transferring torque between the clutch members and the side gears when actuated, wherein the cross pin engages the ramp surfaces of the clutch members to actuate the clutch mechanisms to engage the side gears; the clutch members being axially moveable along the axis of rotation to actuate the clutch mechanisms, the clutch members presenting inwardly directed faces between which the cross pin is disposed, the inwardly directed faces defining opposing grooves in which the cross pin is received, the clutch members comprising a range of relative rotational movement with respect to each other about the axis of rotation; and a plurality of first pre-load springs applying first pre-loads only to the clutch members for biasing the clutch members toward the cross pin, the first pre-load springs not applying any first pre-loads not being applied through to the clutch packs.