No-slip, imposed differential reduction drive

摘要

A no-slip, imposed differential uses a first unlimited slip differential 15 connected for driving a pair of axle shafts 16 and 17 and a second unlimited slip differential 20 connected between a pair of control shafts 22 and 23. One of the axle shafts and one of the control shafts are connected for rotation in the same direction, and the other axle shaft and the other control shaft are connected for rotation in opposite directions. An input control gear 40 meshed with a ring gear 21 for second differential 20 can rotate control shafts 22 and 23 to impose differential rotation on axle shafts 16 and 17 via the shaft connecting means. This provides a no-slip drive when control gear 40 is not turning and a steering drive by imposed differential rotation when control gear 40 turns. The same no-slip, differential rotation effect can be achieved in a reduction drive system by using differential reduction gears on each side of the vehicle and inputting the driving and steering control torques into the reduction gears, which differentially combine the torques and apply the result to right and left drive elements. A clutched power take-off 92 can direct propulsion torque to the steering control input for rapid pivot turns.