Patent ID: 6053073
Filing Date: 2000-04-25
Classification: F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
A positive acting differential comprising:a first and a second coupler coaxial along an axis;a spacer coaxial along the axis and between the couplers;a first and a second paddle projecting radially from the axis, each of said paddles being coupled to the spacer at axially opposing ends;a primary pinion pin substantially perpendicular to the axis and coupled to the spacer;a secondary pinion pin substantially perpendicular to the axis, coplanar with the primary pinion pin, and coupled to the spacer;a first and a second driver coaxial with the axis, between the pinion pins and the respective coupler, and supported by the spacer such that each driver is separately moveable along the axis;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;a first and a second ring structure, each of said ring structures located in the annular groove of one the first and second couplers in a forcibly rotatable position relative to the respective coupler; andeach of said ring structures engaging the adjacent paddle and being forcibly rotatable relative to the respective coupler by the engaged paddle to a first or a second extreme position relative to the pinion pins 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 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.