Patent ID: 6527664
Filing Date: 2003-03-04
Classification: F16H

Abstract:
A limited slip differential assembly comprising:an input member; a first output shaft; a second output shaft coaxial with said first output shaft, said first and second output shafts rotating about an output drive axis; a differential interposed between said input member and said first and second output shafts, said differential transmitting rotation from said input member to said first and second output shafts and providing rotation of said first output shaft relative to said second output shaft; a clutch mechanism, said clutch mechanism providing resistance to relative rotation between said first output shaft and said second output shaft; an electromagnetic coupling having a first and second coupling members, said first and second coupling members defining a chamber having a magnetorheological fluid, said magnetorheological fluid increasing in density when charged by an electrical current, said magnetorheological fluid providing resistance to rotation of said first coupling member relative to said second coupling member; means for inducing said electrical current in said magnetorheological fluid; and a camming mechanism for engaging said clutch mechanism, said camming mechanism including a first disc associated with said coupling, and a second disc associated with said clutch mechanism, each of said first and said second discs having an inclined surface formed between said first and second discs, said inclined surfaces being axially inclined along a circumferential direction relative to said output drive axis, said means for inducing said electrical current being actuated in response to a predetermined amount of relative rotation between said first output shaft and said second output shaft, said coupling thereby creating a resistance to rotation of said first disc relative to said second disc, the resistance to rotation causing said first disc to rotate relative to said second disc, said inclined surfaces camming to result in an axial force actuating said clutch mechanism, wherein said electromagnetic coupling is disposed radially outside said camming mechanism and disposed external to a differential case housing a pinion shaft, pinion gears and side gears.