US Patent:
20030114265, Jun 19, 2003
Inventors:
Lowell Larson - Huntington Beach CA, US
Mark Mourani - Huntington Beach CA, US
Eric Polcuch - San Pedro CA, US
International Classification:
F16H048/06
F16H048/20
B60K041/04
Abstract:
A differential coupling () has a body (), a rotary input member (), and two rotary output shafts (). The algebraic sum of the angular displacements of the output shafts is proportional to the rotation of the input member. The improvement includes mechanical means (), such as a planetary gear (), for sensing a torque differential between the output shafts, and a brake () mounted on the body and operatively arranged to selectively brake rotation of the input member, or both output members, when the difference between the torques on the outputs exceeds a predetermined first value.