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Sept. 25, 1962 L. J.

O'BRIEN 3,055,234
LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL
Filed May 28, 1959 2. Sheets-Sheet l

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Sept. 25, 1962 L. J. O'BRIEN 3,055,234
LOCKING DIFFERENTIA,
Filed May 28, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2

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ENVENTOR.
LOREN JAMES, O'BRIEN

ATTORNEY
3,055,234
United States Patent Office Patented Sept. 25, 1962
2
cause of the high transfer ratio involved. Further,
3,055,234 manufacturing and assembly costs have been prohibitive.
LOCKNG OFFERENTAL The mechanism, as hereinafter described, includes only
Loren James O'Brien, Grabill, Ind., assignor to Dana one friction clutch means to bias the side gears so that
Corporation, Toledo, Ohio, a corporation of Virginia the torque transmitted to either vehicle wheel cannot
Filed May 28, 1959, Ser. No. 816,524 fall below a predetermined minimum amount. This bias
21 Claims. (C. 74-711) ing means provides an internal frictional resistance to
This invention relates to improvements in differentials differentiation, independently of the case, thereby insur
in general and is particularly directed to improvements ing an equal amount of transfer ratio to both vehicle
in limited slip differentials wherein a substantial driving 0. wheels.
To accomplish the heretofore stated objects, the fol
torque is provided to both driving wheels of a motor lowing factors must be considered:
vehicle even though one of the driving wheels has little (1) The means providing frictional resistance to the
or no traction.
A primary object of this invention is to provide an differential action must vary proportionately to the amount
improved limited slip differential having an inherent 5 of driving torque transmitted to the vehicle wheels, pro
viding, in effect, an automatic adjustment of the frictional
power of action to bias the differential mechanism upon
the application of a driving torque and includes, a driven resistance.
(2) It must provide a sufficient transfer of tractive
case, opposed side gears in the driven case, compensat torque to the non-spinning wheel at all times and under
ing gearing between the opposed side gears, friction all operating conditions.
clutch means for coupling the side gears together, at least 20 A limited slip differential according to this invention
one of the side gears having faced coupling teeth for utilizes faced coupling teeth on the differential gearing
actuating the friction clutch means during relative ro
tation of the gears. The faced coupling teeth, being for loading friction clutch means. The axial thrust
operatively associated with the side gears, load the fric produced by the faced coupling teeth coupled with the
mechanical advantage of a multiple disc clutch provides
tion clutch means during relative rotation thereof and 25 the necessary amount of frictional resistance to differ
biases the side gears together in proportion to the input entiation between the side gears, variable proportionately
torque. A structure of this type permits controlled dif to the input driving torque.
ferential action only. That is, when the driving torque The differential mechanism includes a driven case or
is of a relatively low value the frictional resistance to housing comprising a body 10 and a cap 11 secured to
differentiation is not sufficient to completely bias the 30 gether
side gears but will permit limited differential action be known along manner.
a vertical median plane thereof, in any well
The body 10 is provided with a flange
tween the side gears.
A further object of this invention is to provide a is12 adapted for receiving a ring gear, not shown. The ring gear
mechanism which is simple in construction, efficient in viding driveto torque mesh with a suitable drive pinion for pro
to the differential mechanism in a
operation, inexpensive to assemble and manufacture and 35
which will fit into present axle housings without modi conventional manner. The cap 11 and the body 10 are
provided with hubs 13 and 14 respectively on which the
fication thereof.
Further objects and advantages will become apparent differential case is journaled on bearings, not shown, for
upon reading the following specification together with 14 rotation in a suitable axle housing. The hubs 13 and
the accompanying drawing which form a part hereof. 40 through are provided with central bores 15 and 16 respectively
In the drawings which axle shafts 17 extend.
FIG. 1 is a sectional view taken in a plane containing vided Referring to FIG. i., a coupling member 18 is pro
the axis of rotation of a limited slip differential embody memberin ora case form of a spider for coupling the driving
to a pair of bevel side gears 19 and 20.
ing the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 1 of another 45 The coupling member 18 is formed with spindles 21
form of a limited slip differential according to the present -extending radially relative to a hub 22 encircling a drive
member 23. The spindles 21 extend diametrically through
invention. apertures 24 provided in the driven case, thereby securing
The conventional differential, as used today in most
motor vehicles, divides the driving torque equally be Wii,coupling member thereto for unitary rotation there
tween both drive wheels. In this connection, it should Wit.
A pair of bevel pinions or compensating gears 25 mesh
be remembered that the conventional differential is un
trolled and will always drive the wheel which is the easiest ing with the side gears 19 and 20 are mounted on and
to turn. This is a definite disadvantage while driving rotatable in relation to the spindles 21. Thrust washers
under adverse conditions as when the traction of one of . 26 are disposed between back faces of the pinions 25
the wheels is limited. 55 and the driven case for absorbing thrust loads tending
Many designs of locking differentials have been made to be transmitted therebetween.
in an effort to provide substantial driving torque to both The differential gearing is conventional in design ex
wheels even when one of the wheels has no traction, cept for the bevel side gear 20 which is provided with
and still permit efficient compensating action when one faced coupling teeth. This side gear 20 is mounted on
wheel rotates faster than the other, as when the vehicle 60 and rotatable in relation to the drive member 23 and
makes a turn. These designs have included full lock is provided with positive pressure angle faced coupling
ing, bias or power dividing, overruning and hydraulic teeth 27 on its back face. These teeth 27 mesh with
types. Many methods of construction such as variable coupling teeth 28 formed on the front face of a pressure
leverage, eccentric pinions, cam and sliding pins have plate member 29 for camming the pressure plate 29
been used to actuate friction clutch means normally 65 axially outwardly in relation to the side gear 20. The
provided between the side gears and the driven case. pressure plate 29 is drivingly connected to a sleeve 30
Such designs have resulted in complicated structures con as at 31 and is free to move axially in relation thereto.
sisting of a pair of friction clutch means wherein the The aforedescribed structure constitutes the actuating
manufacturing tolerances are critical and the parts are means for loading the friction clutch means upon the ap
subjected to excessive wear causing the differential to 70
become inoperative. Variations of the manufacturing plication The
of a driving torque.
other side gear 19 is drivingly connected to the
tolerances have tended to cause excessive "lock-up' be
3
3,055,234
drive member 23. This drive member 23 is splined to 4.
one of the axle shafts 17 thereby connecting the side ternal spur gear teeth 50 opposed to and concentric with
gear 19 to the axle shaft. the spur gear teeth 47 of the sleeve 48.
Another drive member 32 is drivingly connected to The above described mechansim constitutes the actuat
the other axle shaft 17 and to the sleeve 30 as at 33. ing means loading the friction clutch means disposed be
The sleeve 30 is fitted into the body 10 and is rotatable tween the drive members 40 and 41 frictionally locking
in relation thereto thereby connecting the side gear 20 the side gear 39 together. The friction clutch means
to its respective axle shaft 17. herein described consist of interleaved discs interposed
The friction clutch means herein described consists between the drive members 40 and 41. One set of discs
of interleaved discs interposed between the drive mem 0. 51 being interlocked with the sleeve 48 to rotate there
with and the other set of discs 52 being interlocked with
ber 32 and the pressure plate 29. One set of discs 34 the drive member 41 to rotate therewith. -
being interlocked with the sleeve 30 to rotate therewith As shown in FIG. 2, each disc 52 is formed with in
and the other set of discs 35 being interlocked with the ternal spur gear teeth interlocked with the spur gear
drive member 23. to rotate therewith.
teeth of the drive member 41 and each disc 51 is formed
As is shown in FIG. 1, the drive member 23 is pro 5 with external gear teeth interlocked with the internal an
vided with an external hub 36 formed with spur teeth
37 and the sleeve 30 is provided with internal annular nular gear teeth 47 of the sleeve 48.
spur gear teeth 38 opposed to and concentric with the ferred from thethecase
In operation, drive torque from the engine is trans
in the conventional manner. As
spur gear teeth 37 of the drive member 23. Each disc the case is rotated, drive torque is transmitted to the
35 is formed with internal spur gear teeth interlocked 20 pinions 42 and to the opposed side gears 39. This drive
with the spur gear teeth of the drive member 23 and each torque is then transmitted to the drive members 40 and
disc 34 is formed with external gear teeth, interlocked 41 through the intermeshing coupling teeth 44 and 45 of
with the internal annular gear teeth 38 of the sleeve 30. the side gears 39 and the drive members 40 and 41.
. In operation, the drive torque from the engine is Since these coupling teeth 44 and 45 are formed with
transferred to the case in the conventional manner. As 25 positive
the case is rotated, drive torque is transmitted to the cam the drive members 40theand
pressure angles, applied drive torque tends to
41 axially inwardly. This
pinions. 25 and the opposed side gears 19 and 20. This
drive torque is then transmitted from the side gear 19 to inward axial movement of the drive members 40 and 41
forces the friction discs 51 and 52 together thereby fric
the drive member 23 and from the side gear 20 to the tionally
drive member 32 through the intermeshing coupling teeth 30 wherebycoupling the side
the drive members 40 and 41 together,
gears 39 tend to function as a unit.
27 and 28 of the side gear 20 and the pressure plate mem The description of the friction means is employed
ber 29 respectively. Since these coupling teeth are formed merely for the purpose of aiding in a better understand
with positive pressure angles, the applied drive torque ing of the
tends to cam these members in opposite directions re stood thatembodiments other types
of this invention, it being under
of friction devices will work
gardless of the direction of input torque. This axial equally as well.
movement of the pressure plate 29 forces the friction discs From the foregoing discussion of the embodiments
34 and 35 against a snap ring 55 provided on the hub 36 shown, it is to be seen that applied driving torque is trans
thereby frictionally locking the drive member 23 to the ferred from the driven case to the pinions, thence to the
drive member 32 through the sleeve 30. The drive mem 40 opposed side gears which in turn actuates the friction
ber 23 is provided with a second snap ring 57 which is clutch means disposed therebetween. It is to be noted
secured thereto and disposed in abutting engagement
with the outward face of the side gear 19. Accordingly, that the friction between the discs is not sufficient to lock
the side gears together but is sufficient to permit motion
the axial forces generated by the coupling teeth 27 and to be transmitted inefficiently therebetween. The braking
28 are contained within the drive member 23 by the force created retards but does not prevent the compen
engagement of the disks 34 or 35 with the snap ring 55 45 Sating action of the side gears.
and the engagement of the side gear 19 with the snap This frictional resistance to free differential action re
ring 57. The sleeve 30 carries a snap ring 53 on the in
ternal surface thereof positioned so as to engage the Sults in even the application of a driving torque to both vehicle
plate member 32 if it moves toward the drive member 50 wheels when one of the wheels is on a slippery sur
face and has little or no traction. When differential
23 thereby preventing the same from inadvertently im action is required, as when a vehicle is making a turn,
parting an engaging force to the disks 34 and 25. the drive torque is usually reduced and hence there is
Referring now to FIG. 2, it will be seen that the differ little, if any, interference by the friction clutch means
ential gearing is conventional in design except for the with the differential action of the mechanism.
bevel side gears which are composed of gear members 55 It will be obvious that various changes in the details
39 and drive members 40 and 41. A pair of bevel pinions which have been herein described and illustrated in order
or compensating gears 42 mesh with the gear members 39 to explain the nature of this invention, may be made by
and are further mounted on and rotatable in relation to those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of
pins 43 which are secured to the driven case. the invention as expressed in the appended claims.
The gear members 39 are mounted on and rotatable What is claimed is:
relative to the axle shafts 17. These gear members 39 60 1. A differential transmission with frictional resistance
are provided with positive pressure angle faced coupling to differentiation applied by, and in proportion to, the
teeth 44 on their front faces for meshing with faced input torque, comprising, a driven case, a pair of bevel
coupling teeth 45 formed on the rear faces of the drive side gears rotatable within said case, bevel pinions mesh
members 40 and 41 for camming the drive members 65 ring with both side gears, coupling means carried by said
axially
torque.
inwardly regardless of the direction of. input case and supporting the pinions for rotation, a pair of
The drive member 40 is formed with external spur drive members adapted to be driven by said side gears
gear teeth 46 on its outer periphery for meshing with and at least one being provided with faced coupling
internal gear teeth 47 formed on an internal bore of a 70 teeth, a friction clutch interconnecting said drive mem
bers, said friction clutch being independent of said case
sleeve 48, the function of which will be described here so that clutching action is not transmitted through said
inafter. This drive member 40 is drivingly connected to case, faced coupling teeth on at least one of said side
one of the axle shafts 17. The other drive member 41 gears meshing with said faced coupling teeth on said one
is drivingly connected to the other axle shaft 17. This
drive member 41 is provided with a hub 49 having ex 75 of the drive members for causing engagement of the
friction clutch in response to input torque in either direc
3,055,284
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tion, the faced coupling teeth being of positive pressure and intermeshing gearing in said driven case, cam means
angle thereby causing engagement of the friction clutch provided on one of said gears, friction means comprising
upon application of and in proportion to the input torque. a rotatable sleeve member, a first drive member, a plu
2. A differential transmission with a frictional resist rality of friction discs splined in alternate order to said
ance to differentiation applied by, and in proportion to, members for transmitting torque therebetween, a second
the input torque comprising, a pair of axially aligned drive member arranged in a fixed position on one of said
axle shafts, a driven case rotatable on said axle shafts, axle shafts and splined to said sleeve, a pressure plate
a pair of side gears in said driven case, coupling means splined to and movable axially on said sleeve on said
carried by the driven case, compensating gearing mounted pressure plate for cooperating with said cam means on
on said coupling means and intermeshing with said side 10 said intermeshing gear, whereby input torque applied
gears, a pair of drive members drivingly connected each from the drive case to the intermeshing gears causes the
to an axle shaft, a sleeve connected to one of said drive cam means to move the pressure plate axially in one
members, a plurality of discs driven by said sleeve, a direction pressing the discs together in proportion to the
plurality of discs interleaved with the former discs and input torsue, thereby frictionally locking the side gears
driven by the other said drive member, and means includ 5 together in proportion to the input torque.
ing positive pressure angle faced coupling teeth opera 7. Friction clutch means for coaxial side gears of a
-tively associated with at least one of said side gears for differential mechanism comprising in combination, a pair
pressing said discs against each other in proportion to of axially aligned axle shafts, a driven case rotatable on
the input torque thereby frictionally clutching said side said at
axle shafts, intermeshing gears in said driven case
least one being provided with faced coupling teeth
gears together by a force proportional to the input torque. 20
thereon, means cooperative with at least said one inter
3. A differential transmission according to claim 2 in
which the said drive members are provided with positive meshing locking
gear and with said axle shafts for frictionally
said axles together for unitary rotation upon
pressure angle faced coupling teeth for meshing with application of and in proportion to the input torque,
said coupling teeth operatively associated with the side said means comprising a friction clutch having faced
gears for pressing said discs together in proportion to the 25 coupling teeth thereon meshing with said faced coupling
input torque. teeth carried by the intermeshing gears.
4. A differential transmission with a frictional resist 8. A differential transmission with a frictional resist
ance to differentiation applied by, and in proportion to, ance to differentiation applied by, and in proportion to,
the input torque comprising, a pair of axially aligned the input torque comprising, a pair of axially aligned
axle shafts, a driven case rotatable on said axle shafts, a 30
bevel side gear drivingly connected to each axle shaft axle shafts, a driven case rotatable on said axle shafts,
within said case, one of said side gears having faced a first drive member in said case fixedly secured on one
coupling teeth thereon, coupling means disposed in the of said axle shafts and having external gear teeth thereon,
driven case, compensating gearing mounted on said cou 35 aonsecond drive member provided with external gear teeth
its outer periphery and fixedly secured on the other
pling means and intermeshing with the side gears, a fric
tion clutch having cooperative friction surfaces interposed Said axle shaft, a pair of opposed side gears in the driven
case, compensating gearing meshing with the opposed
between said side gears, said friction clutch including an side gears, coupling means disposed in the driven case
axial movable member having faced coupling teeth there for coupling the said gears thereto, one of said side gears
on for intermeshing with the said coupling teeth on the
Said side gear, whereby drive torque transmitted through 40 being fixedly secured on said first drive member, the other
said side gear being mounted on and rotatable in relation
the coupling teeth exerts axial thrust loads against the to said first drive member, the last said side gear having
friction surfaces and frictionally retards the relative rota coupling teeth on its back face, an axially movable pres
tion between the side gears in proportion to the input Sure member in coaxial relation with last said side gear
torque. 45 having coupling teeth on its front face mating with the
5. A differential transmission with a frictional resist coupling teeth on said gear, the coupling teeth being of
ance to differentiation applied by, and in proportion to, positive pressure angle whereby drive torque transmitted
the input torque comprising, coaxial axle shafts, a casing through them causes relative axial displacement between
rotatable on said axle shafts, a side gear drivingly con
nected to each axle shaft within said casing, one of said 50 the said
pressure member and the said axially aligned gear,
pressure member further having external gear teeth
side gears having cam means thereon, intermeshing com on its outer periphery, a sleeve fitted in the driven case
pensating gearing disposed between said side gears and and having internal gear teeth for meshing with the ex
attached to the casing for rotation therewith, friction ternal gear teeth of the said second drive member and
means disposed between said side gears and cooperative
therewith and cooperative with the said cam means for 55 Said pressure member, said internal gear teeth of the
frictional interlocking said side gears for unitary rotation sleeveon said
further being opposed to said external gear teeth
first drive member, interleaved discs between
in proportion to the input torque when input torque is
applied to the driven casing, said friction means compris the pressure member and the opposing face of the second
drive member, one set of discs having internal gear teeth
ing an axial movable pressure plate member having cam
means for cooperation with the cam means on the said 60 member andwith
interlocked
the
the external gear teeth of the first drive
other set of discs having external gear
-side gear, a drive member secured on one of said axle teeth interlocked with the internal gear teeth of the
shafts, a sleeve rotatable in the casing drivingly con sleeve, whereby axial thrust loads exerted against the
necting the pressure plate member to said drive member, discs by the said pressure member frictionally retards
a second drive member secured to the other said axle the relative rotation between the side gears in proportion
shaft, a plurality of friction discs splined in alternate to the input torque.
order to said sleeve and said drive member for transmit 9. A differential transmission with a frictonal resist
ting torque therebetween, whereby input torque trans ance to differentiation applied by, and in proportion to,
mitted through the cam means causes axial thrust loads the input torque comprising, a pair of axially aligned
to be exerted by the pressure plate member in one direc axle shafts, a driven case rotatable on said axle shafts, a
tion, pressing said discs together, thereby frictionally 70 drive member drivingly connected to each axle shaft
clutching said drive members together in proportion to within said case, a pair of bevel side gears each having
the input torque. faced coupling teeth, coupling means disposed in the
6. Friction clutch means for interlocking the side gears driven case, compensating gearing mounted on said cou
of a differential transmission, in combination, a pair of pling means and intermeshing with said side gears, a
axle shafts, a driven case mounted on said axle shafts, 75 friction clutch having cooperative friction surfaces in
3,055,234
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terposed between said drive members, said drive members for interconnecting said drive members, the driving con
having faced coupling teeth for meshing with the faced nection between one of said drive members and said
coupling teeth on said side gears, the coupling teeth differential gearing including a member movable upon,
being of positive angle exert an axial thrust load against and in proportion to, application of said input torque
the friction surfaces and frictionally locks the side gears for actuating said clutch means.
together in proportion to the input torque. 15. A differential transmission for driving a pair of
10. A differential transmission with a frictional resist axles comprising casing means rotatably mounted on said
ance to differentiation applied by, and in proportion to, axle for supplying an input torque, differential gearing
the input torque comprising, coaxial axle shafts, a casing adapted to receive the input torque, a pair of drive mem
rotatable on said axle shafts, a pair of bevel side gears 10 bers each driven by said differential gearing and adapted
within said case, the side gears having cam means on for connection to an axle, mechanical friction clutch
their front faces, intermeshing compensating gearing dis means for interconnecting said drive members, said clutch
posed between said side gears and attached to the case means being independent of said casing means so that
for rotation therewith, a pair of axially aligned drive clutching action is not transmitted through said casing
members having cam means on their rear faces for co 5 means, the driving connection between at least one of said
operation with the cam means on the side gears, friction drive members and said differential gearing including
means disposed between said drive members and co means for actuating said clutch means upon, and in pro
operative therewith for frictionally interlocking said drive portion to, application of said input torque.
members for unitary rotation in proportion to the input 16. A differential transmission for driving a pair of
torque thereby frictionally interlocking said side gears, 20 axles comprising means including a casing for supplying
said friction means comprising a sleeve drivingly con an input torque, differential gearing receiving the input
nected to one of said drive members, a plurality of fric torque, a pair of drive members each drivingly connected
tion discs splined in alternate order to said sleeve and to said differential gearing and adapted for connection to
the other said drive member for transmitting torque
therebetween, whereby input torque transmitted through 25 to axle,
an a single mechanical friction clutch means adapted
interconnect said drive members, said clutch means
the cam means causes axial thrust loads to be exerted being independent of said casing so that clutching action
against said discs in proportion to the input torque. is not transmitted through said casing, the driving con
11. Friction clutch means for interlocking the side nection between at least one of said drive members and
gears of a differential transmission, in combination, a said differential gearing including means actuating said
driven case, and intermeshing gears in said driven case, 30 clutch means upon, and in proportion to, application of
cam means provided on some of said gears, friction Said input torque in either direction.
means comprising a rotatable sleeve, a first drive mem 17. A differential transmission for driving a pair of
ber for driving said sleeve, a second drive member, a axles comprising means supplying an input torque, differ
plurality of friction discs splined in alternate order to ential gearing receiving the input torque, a pair of mem
said sleeve and said second drive member for transmitting 35
bers each drivingly connected to said differential gearing
torque therebetween, the drive members further being and adapted for connection to an axle, clutch means for
provided with can means for engagement with the cam interconnecting said drive members and including a plu
means on said gears and cooperating therewith in re rality of interleaved friction discs, said clutch means being
sponse to input torque in either direction, whereby input independent of said supplying means so that clutching
torque applied to the transmitting gears from the driven 40 action is not transmitted through said supplying means,
case in either direction causes the drive members to press the driving connection between at least one of said drive
the discs together in proportion to the input torque, members and said differential gearing including means
thereby frictionally locking the side gears together in compressing said interleaved discs upon, and in propor
proportion to the input torque. tion to, application of said input torque in either direction.
12. Friction clutch means for coaxial side gears of a 18. A differential transmission for driving a pair of
differential mechanism in combination, a pair of axially axles comprising means rotatably mounted on said axles
aligned axle shafts, a driven case rotatable on said axle for Supplying an input torque, differential gearing receiv
shafts, intermeshing gears in said driven case, means ing the input torque, a pair of drive members each driv
cooperative with said intermeshing gears and with said ingly connected to said differential gearing and also
axle shafts for frictionally locking said axle shafts to 50 adapted for connection to an axle, clutch means includ
gether for unitary rotation in proportion to the input ing a plurality of interleaved discs adapted to intercon
torque, said means comprising a friction clutch having nect said drive members, the driving connection between
faced coupling teeth thereon meshing with faced cou at least one of said drive members and said differential
pling teeth carried by the intermeshing gears, whereby gearing including positive pressure angle coupling teeth
the faced coupling teeth actuate the friction clutch and for compressing said interleaved discs upon, and in pro
tend to frictionally retard the rotation of one of the portion to, application of said input torque.
side gears when the rotation of the other side gear is 19. In a differential the combination comprising a ro
retarded in proportion to the input torque. tatable casing having differential gearing disposed therein,
13. A differential transmission with a frictional resist
ance to differentiation applied by, and in proportion to, 60 a pair of axles extending into said casing and operatively
the input torque comprising, a driven case, intermeshing connected to said differential gearing, mechanical fric
gears in the driven case including a pair of opposed side tion clutch means independent of said casing for con
gears, friction means disposed between said side gears necting said axles so that clutching action is not trans
and interconnecting the same, and means for causing mitted through said casing, and means operative in re
engagement of said friction means comprising faced cou 65 sponse and in proportion to input torque for actuating
pling teeth disposed between said friction means and said clutch means.
said side gears, whereby input torque applied to said 20. In a differential the combination comprising a ro
driven case causes operation of said friction means there tatable casing having differential gearing disposed there
by locking said side gears together by a force propor in, a pair of axles extending into said casing and opera
tional to the input torque. 70 tively connected to said differential gearing, mechanical
14. A differential transmission for driving a pair of clutch means including cooperating friction surfaces in
axles comprising means supplying an input torque, differ dependent of said casing connecting said axles so that
ential gearing receiving the input torque, a pair of mem clutching action is not transmitted through said casing,
bers each drivingly connected to said differential gearing and cam means operative in response and in proportion
and also adapted for connection to an axle, clutch means 75 to input torque for actuating said clutch means.
8,055,284
10
21. In a differential the combination comprising a ro References Cited in the file of this patent
tatable casing having differential gearing disposed there UNITED STATES PATENTS
in, a pair of axles extending into said casing and opera 1,104,005 Romeiser --------------- July 21, 1914
tively connected to said differential gearing, mechanical 2,624,216 Nielson ---------------- Jan. 6, 1953
clutch means including a pair of cooperating friction 2,687,657 Kugel ----------------- Aug. 31, 1954
surfaces independent of said casing connecting said axles 2,743,792 Ransom ---------------- May 1, 1956
so that clutching action is not transmitted through said 2,855,805 Fallon ----------------- Oct. 14, 1958
casing, and means including positive pressure angled face FOREIGN PATENTS
coupling teeth operative in response and in proportion to
input torque actuating said clutch means. O 708,714 Great Britain ----------- May 12, 1954
UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE
CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION
Patent No. 3,055,234 September 25, 1962
Loren James O'Brien
It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered pat
ent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as
corrected below.

Column 6 line 8, after "sleeve" insert -- to preSS


Said discs against said second drive member cam means --.
Signed and sealed this 5th day of February 1963.

(SEAL)
Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER DAVID L. LADD


Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

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