GB684548A - Improvements in multi-axle drives - Google Patents

Abstract

684,548. Change speed and differential gear. EATON AXLES, Ltd. (Eaton Manufacturing Co.). July 24, 1951, No. 17567/51. Class 80 (ii). [Also in Group XXXI] A multiple axle drive comprises a differential gear set 32 drivingly connected to a power input shaft 26, a single speed geared axle drivingly connected to one side of the differential gear set and a multiple speed geared axle drivingly connected to the other side of the differential gear set, means being provided for shifting the speed of the multiple speed axle. The differential gear set 32 consists of a spider 28 splined to the input shaft 26 and carrying bevel gears 30 which mesh with gears 42 and 44. Gear 42 may be locked to the input shaft by a clutch member 124 slidably keyed to the shaft and having internal teeth 126 which can engage teeth 128 on the gear 42. Gear 44 drives the foremost of two rear axles through a conventional single speed differential gear set 52 and gear 42 drives the rearmost of the two axles through a two-speed differential gear set 70 having a direct drive and an underdrive; it comprises a planetary gear system 76, the sungear 78 of which is axially shiftable between two positions in one of which the planetary system is locked. The gear 78 is moved by means of a yoke 82 which engages its shaft 80. The yoke is operated by a reversible electric motor 84, as disclosed in Specification 616,533 the direction of rotation being determined by a manually actuated switch 90. An interlock is provided between the motor 84 and the differential gear set 32 so that the differential gear set can only be locked when the rear axle is in its high gear ratio and hence identical in ratio with the foremost rear axle. When the rear axle is in low ratio the clutch member 124 is locked in its non-operated position by the armature of a solenoid .108 which engages a member 118 connected to the slidable clutch member 124. When the switch 90 is operated to change the ratio of the rear axle to high the solenoid is energized to release the clutch member so that the differential gear set 32 can be locked. It is also arranged that the motor 84 cannot be operated to change to low ratio until the differential gear set 32 is unlocked since it is supplied with current through a switch 132 the contacts of which are operated by the member 118 so that they are only made when the differential gear set 32 is unlocked.