| 摘要 |
<p>A vehicle differential mechanism having a rotatable input member (16) for connection with a drive means and a pair of rotatable output members (17, 18) one on each side of the input member for connection with components such as wheel-driving shafts (13, 14) to be driven by the mechanism. A pair of rotatable clutch members (19, 20) are located one on each side of the input member (16) between the input member and the output members are slidable in directions parallel to the axis of rotation of the input and output members. Each clutch member has separate first (23) and second (24) circumferentially-spaced axially-projecting cam formations for engagement with first (22) and second (25) cam formations on the input and output members respectively. The cam formations are shaped to result in axial displacement of the clutch member on relative rotation between interengaging cam formations. When the mechanism is used for example as an inter-wheel differential in a vehicle being driven substantially in a straight line, the first cam formations (22, 23) force both sets of second cam formations (24,25) into engagement to transmit drive to each output member (17, 18) from the intput member (16) via the first and second cam formations and, when the vehicle makes a turn, the second cam formations of the faster rotating (outer) output member cause axial and rotational displacement of the associated clutch member thus disconnecting drive between the associated first and second cam formations to disconnect drive between the input member and the faster rotating output member. A blocking means (21, 26, 27) limits the rotational displacement of the disconnected clutch member to prevent re-arrangement of drive to the faster output member during the turn.</p> |
