Patent ID: 6805653
Filing Date: 2004-10-19
Classification: F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
A differential gear assembly for an automotive vehicle comprising:a differential housing; a first side gear and a second side gear substantially axially aligned and spaced apart from one other, each of said side gears being supported by said differential housing for relative rotational movement and being adapted to engage an axle half-shaft; a clutch pack mounted between and interconnecting said differential housing and said first side gear; and a ball screw assembly including a ball screw mounted to said differential housing, said ball screw including an outer surface having an outwardly facing helical channel formed therein, a ball nut extending circumferentially around said ball screw, said ball nut including an inner surface having an inwardly facing helical channel formed therein, a ball channel defined by said inwardly facing helical channel and said outwardly facing helical channel; a plurality of ball bearings positioned within said ball channel, thereby coupling said ball screw and said ball nut such that rotational movement of said ball screw and said ball nut relative to one another is translated into axial movement of said ball nut and said ball screw relative to one another; and a motor adapted to engage one of said ball screw and said ball nut to rotationally move said ball nut and said ball screw relative to one another; said ball screw being rotatably and axially fixed onto said differential housing and said ball nut being rotatable and axially moveable relative to said differential housing, said motor engaging said ball nut such that when said motor is activated said ball nut rotates relative to said ball screw and said differential housing, thereby moving said ball nut axially relative to said differential housing such that said ball nut applies an axial force to said clutch pack and locks said first side gear to said differential housing, thereby preventing relative rotational movement of said first side gear and said differential housing.