Patent ID: 6062105
Filing Date: 2000-05-16
Classification: F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
A positive acting differential comprising:a first and a second coupler coaxial along an axis;a pinion pin substantially perpendicular to the axis and between the couplers;a first and a second driver coaxial with the axis and between the pinion pin and the respective coupler;the first and the second coupler and the first and the second driver each having a toothed face with cooperatively disposed axially engagable teeth;the first and the second coupler each having an annular groove on the toothed face of the coupler, said annular groove having a cylindrical wall perpendicular to the toothed face, an annular back wall parallel to the toothed face, and a frusto-conical bearing wall arranged so that the bearing wall undercuts the toothed face;a first and a second ring structure, each of said ring structures having an annular back surface and a frusto-conical bearing surface, each of said ring structures being split such that a diameter of the ring structure can be elastically changed to install one of the ring structures in the annular groove of one of the couplers, the frusto-conical bearing surface elastically fitting against the frusto-conical bearing wall to force the annular back surface against the annular back wall, thereby holding each of the ring structures in the annular groove of one of the first coupler and the second coupler in a forceably rotatable position relative to the respective coupler; andeach of said ring structures being forcibly rotatable relative to the respective coupler to a first or a second extreme position relative to the pinion pin after the teeth on the respective driver have climbed the teeth on the respective coupler, the ring structure preventing substantial re-engagement of the teeth on the respective driver and coupler when in one of the first extreme position and the second extreme position, and allowing engagement of the teeth on the respective driver and coupler when the ring structure is not near either the first or the second extreme position.