Patent ID: 6780133
Filing Date: 2004-08-24
Classification: F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
A differential gear in which drive power is distributed from a power transmission member to two follower shafts in such a manner as to permit the two follower shafts to rotate with a given rotational difference, the differential gear comprising:a power transmission member rotatable about an axis of rotation relative to two follower shafts and having an inner peripheral surface defining an inner space; two cam members disposed in the inner space so as to be rotatable with respect to one another and having cam lobes formed on respective opposing surfaces; the two follower shafts and the two cam members being in concentric relation with, and rotatable about, the axis of rotation; and a plurality of cam follower elements interposed between the two cam lobes to be movable along the cam lobes and to be held in engagement with the power transmission member; wherein each of the two cam lobes is continuous in a circumferential peripheral direction with each of the cam lobes having a varying height in an axially longitudinal direction of the cam members; wherein the power transmission member has on the inner peripheral surface thereof a plurality of engagement grooves extending in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation; wherein each of the cam follower elements is fitted to a respective one of the engagement grooves so as to cause a longitudinal direction of the each cam follower element to be orientated in a rotational direction of the power transmission member; and wherein the cam follower elements have portions which protrude from the engagement grooves into the inner space and which are disposed between the two cam lobes.