LOCKABLE DIFFERENTIAL WITH LOCKING STATE DETECTION SYSTEM

• Main Authors: GOHL JONATHAN R, MOORE JASON E, PINKOS ANDREW F, REA JEFFREY E
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 30.11.2006
• Subjects: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS INVEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OFTRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GASEXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS, IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; BLASTING; ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GEARING; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVEFUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; HEATING; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; LIGHTING; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; TRANSPORTING; VEHICLES IN GENERAL; WEAPONS

A locking differential apparatus having a locking state detecting system is provided to detect a differential mode of differential locking and unlocking between rotating shafts by using an improved differential apparatus and a detecting system. A drive train(6) includes an engine(8), a transmission(10), a transfer case(12), a forward propeller shaft(14), and a rearward propeller shaft(16). The rearward propeller shaft provides torque to a rear axle assembly(18). The forward propeller shaft provides torque to a pinion shaft(20) of a front axle assembly(22) from the engine. The front axle assembly includes an axle housing(24), a differential apparatus assembly supported in the axle housing, and a pair of shafts(28,30) respectively connected to left and right front wheels(32,34). The pinion shaft has a pinion gear for driving a ring rear fixed on a differential apparatus case of the differential apparatus assembly.