KR100945099B1 - Electronically actuated locking differential - Google Patents

Abstract

The first operation plate 59 in which the relative rotation of the first operation plate 59 and the second operation plate 63 causes an axial movement of the first operation plate 59 toward the first output gear 25. ) And a differential gear mechanism including a cam and ramp actuator 55 comprising a second operating plate 63 and the first output gear 25. The mechanism includes an electronic actuator 57 that operates to cause rotation of the second operating plate 63 relative to the gear case 11. Both operating plates 59 and 63 are disposed outside the end wall 53 of the gear case, and the first operating plate 59 is axially through the opening 81 in the end wall. It is equipped with a plurality of actuating members 85 that extend. The locking plate 41 is disposed adjacent to the first output gear 25 and fixed to the gear case so as not to rotate, but can move in the axial direction therein. The output gear 25 forms an arrangement of teeth 39, and the locking plate 41 forms a plurality of recesses 43 suitable for receiving the teeth, so as to operate with the cam and lamp actuator 55. Each time member 85 moves the locking plate to the locked position (FIG. 4), the locking plate is locked against the output gear.

Description

Electronically actuated automatic differential lock {ELECTRONICALLY ACTUATED LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL}

1 is an axial cross-sectional view of an automatic differential locking device in an inactive, non-locked state, manufactured according to the guidelines of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial axial cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 1 but seen from a plane different from that of FIG.

3 is a perspective view of a locking plate of the present invention showing one feature of the present invention;

4 is a more schematic partial enlarged partial axial cross-sectional view showing a ball ramp actuator and side gear and locking plate in an activated, locked state;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial axial cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2 but showing yet another embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial axial cross-sectional view of another embodiment shown in FIG. 5 from a side different from that in FIG. 5; FIG.

* Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings

11: gear case 13: gear chamber

15 flange 17 pinion gear                 

19: pinion shaft 20: snap ring

23, 25: side gear 27, 29: spline

31, 33 hub portion 37: rotation limiting mechanism

41: locking plate 43: recess

45 ear (protrusion) 47: incision

49 support member 51 spring

55: ball lamp actuator 57: electronic actuator

59, 63: operating plate 65: preservation and maintenance assembly

67: cam ball 71: electronic coil

73 coil housing 77 spacer plate

79: friction material layer 85: working pin

89. 91: surface 93, 95: lamp surface

101: bushing member 103: bore

105: inner surface 107: locking portion

109: recess

This application is for the "Electronically Actuated Locking Differential". Ross K. Cheadle and Joseph F. Concurrent Filed Application No. 09 / 484,160, filed CIP, filed Jan. 18, 2000, in the name of Joseph F. Rosiek.

The present invention relates to traction modifying differentials, and more particularly to a differential device of the type in which the differential gear device may be locked in response to an electrical input signal.

A traction improved differential of the type related to the present invention is typically a gear case forming a gear chamber, and a pair of at least one input pinion gear disposed inside the gear case. The differential gear set includes an output side gear. A clutch pack is typically disposed between at least one side gear and an adjacent surface of the gear case, so that the clutch pack can be manipulated to limit the relative rotation between the gear case and one side gear. . In most differentials of the type described, the engagement of the clutch pack is performed in one of several different ways.

As one method, in a "locking differential" of the type described and exemplified in US Patent No. Re 28,004, which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention and also incorporated herein by reference, the clutch pack is typically Disengagement When one wheel begins to spin out of control with respect to the other wheel, the speed detection mechanism detects the speed difference and, as a ramping mechanism, firmly locks the clutch pack. do. The positive output of the differential then rotates at the same speed.

U. S. Patent No. 5,019, 021, also assigned to the assignee of the present invention and incorporated herein by reference, provides yet another method, wherein the load on the clutch pack is varied in response to an external electrical input signal, thereby causing a slip in the clutch pack. By varying the amount of force), a " limited slip differential " is disclosed which varies the amount of deflection torque transmitted from one side gear to another side gear. As is well known to those skilled in the art, in slip limited differentials there is usually a certain amount of "slip" or speed difference between the two side gears whenever the vehicle is below optimal traction conditions.

The performance of slip limiting differentials and automatic differential locking devices of the type indicated in the above referenced patents is generally very satisfactory, but in the case of certain vehicles, there are certain disadvantages to each detailed design. In particular, when at least some individual clutch discs are configured as a relatively higher friction material capable of withstanding temperature rise under continuous slip conditions, the need for at least one, and typically two clutch packs, is largely due to the Increase the total cost.

In addition, although there is a great demand for vehicle replacement applications to replace existing open differentials where it is desirable to have a traction retrofit differential, to avoid a complete redesign of the surrounding structure, the traction retrofit differential is currently occupied by open differentials. It must be installed in the same space. Under these conditions, adding one or two clutch packs into an existing differential case is not possible without redesigning the pinion gear and side gear, and reducing their size, which is typically not practical.

In order to overcome the disadvantages of the above-mentioned differential device, the assignee of the present invention has developed an improved automatic differential locking device, which is described in the initial application of the applicant, which is concurrently filed with the applicant of the present application, the initial patent being the assignee of the present invention. Currently published as US Pat. No. 6,083,134 for "Electronically Actuated Locking Differential," which is hereby incorporated by reference and incorporated herein by reference. In the device of the patent, the electronic coil has a ball ramp actuator in which one lamp plate is disposed outside the differential case and another lamp plate is disposed inside the differential case. Let's start ramping. There is a set of balls arranged in a slightly larger opening in the end wall of the differential case, which engages two lamp plates. The lamp plate disposed in the differential case is formed with a set of teeth, and whenever the ball lamp actuator is displaced from its normal, centered position to the lamp state, this set of teeth is connected to an adjacent side gear. Formed and arranged to engage a pair of paired teeth.

The patented differential device can be actuated in response to an external electrical signal and can also be engaged or disengaged very quickly, providing an improved automatic differential lock that is very compact, but for certain vehicle applications The device does not have sufficient strength mainly for the differential case, and more particularly for the end wall with cutouts for the ball of the ball lamp actuator.

One common problem with automatic differential locks was that the differential could not "unengage" from the locked state when the locked state was no longer needed. Typically, the automatic differential lock could only be disengaged in response to an event such as a torque reversal.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a further improved automatic differential locking device which is of the general type described in the above cited patents but with improved overall strength and torque transmission capability.

A more clear object of the present invention is to provide an improved automatic differential locking device which achieves this object by sufficiently reducing the size of any cutout of the differential case end wall required by the presence of a ball lamp actuator.

A related object of the present invention is to provide an improved automatic differential locking device capable of locking in response to an electrical input signal.

The above and other objects of the present invention are achieved by constructing a differential gear mechanism including a gear case forming a rotating shaft, and a gear chamber. The differential device is disposed in the gear chamber and includes at least one input gear and first and second output gears. The mechanism includes means operable to limit rotation of the first output gear relative to the gear case and co-rotate together. The mechanism also includes an actuating means for rotation limiting means, the actuating means comprising first and second actuating plates comprising a cam and a lamp type actuator, the actuating means also being operated from an inoperative state to an actuated state. The relative rotation of the first and second operating plates is effective to move the rotation limiting means into engagement. In the non-operated state, the second operating plate is arranged to rotate with the gear case, and the electromagnetic actuator is arranged adjacent to the second operating plate, in response to the electrical input signal, to rotate the second operating plate relative to the gear case. Can be manipulated to

The improved differential means is characterized by first and second operating plates disposed outside of the gear case end wall, the first operating plate being axially movable towards the end wall and through a corresponding opening in the end wall. It is coupled to a plurality of operating members extending in the axial direction. The rotation limiting means comprise a locking portion fixed to rotate with the first output gear. The locking portion and the plurality of actuating members cooperate to lock the first output gear in a locked position that cannot rotate relative to the gear case when the first actuating plate moves towards the end wall, and locked against the first output gear. Provided is a means for moving the actuation member towards the position.

Referring to the drawings, which are not intended to limit the present invention, FIG. 1 is an axial cross-sectional view of an automatic differential locking device incorporating the teachings of the present invention. The structure and operation of the general differential device shown in FIG. 1 can be better understood with reference to the above referenced patents.

The differential gear mechanism (automatic differential locking device) shown in FIG. 1 includes a gear case 11 which generally forms a gear chamber indicated by 13. By way of example only, in the first embodiment, the gear case 11 actually comprises two separate case parts (not shown in the figure) which are usually tightened together with bolts. Torque input to the differential is typically an input ring gear that may be attached to the flange 15 of the gear case 11 by any suitable means, such as a number of bolts (not shown). (Not shown).

The gear chamber 13 is arranged with a differential gear set comprising a pair of input pinion gears 17 rotatably mounted on the pinion shaft 19. Typically, the pinion shaft 19 is connected to the gear case 11 by any suitable means, such as a locking pin (not shown) or a snap ring 20 (see FIG. 2). Is fixed against. The pinion gear 17 constitutes the input gear of the differential gear set and is meshed with the pair of side gears 23 and 25. The side gears 23 and 25 respectively form an inner straight spline 27 and 29 which spline the outer spline of the pair of axles (not shown) which mate with this spline. It is suitable for spline bonding with. The gear case 11 has an annular shape in which a pair of bearing sets (not shown) may be mounted which are used to rotatably support the differential mechanism with respect to the outer differential housing (not shown). And (iii) hub portions 31 and 33.

As is well known to those skilled in the art, no differential occurs between the left and right side gears 23 and 25 during normal straight running of the vehicle, so that the pinion gear 17 is the pinion shaft 19. It does not rotate about. The gear case 11, the pinion gear 17 and the side gears 23 and 25 all rotate around the rotation axis A as a fixing device.

It should be understood that the automatic differential locking device of the present invention may be operated in any of several modes. The differential device may be operated manually. That is, the driver can manually select the lock mode so that the differential operates in the locked mode almost immediately after the vehicle starts to move. Alternatively, the automatic differential lock is merely an example, but the vehicle microprocessor detects an operating state, such as initial wheel slip, to lock the side gear 25 with respect to the gear case 11. The input signal can also be sent to an autodifferential lock to operate in auto mode, which prevents any additional differential.

In the case of automatic operation of the automatic differential lock, some differential operation between the side gears 23 and 25 is allowed under certain driving conditions, such as when the vehicle is turning or when there is a slight difference in tire size. I will understand. However, in accordance with an important feature of the present invention, the automatic differential locking device of FIG. 1 does not include any clutch pack or any other mechanism that merely stops or restricts differential operation, but instead does not operate an "open differential". It operates in either mode or activated lock mode.

Subsequently, referring primarily to FIG. 1 in conjunction with FIG. 2, the automatic differential locking device of the present invention includes a rotation limiting mechanism, indicated at 35, which is entirely disposed within the gear case 11. The automatic differential locking device also includes an actuation mechanism, indicated at 37, all arranged outside the gear case 11, which will be described in more detail later.

Referring also mainly to FIG. 2, the rotation limiting mechanism 37 comprises a side gear 25 comprising gear teeth 39 annularly arranged, ie annularly arranged about the axis of rotation A. FIG. . As described later in more detail with respect to another embodiment of the present invention, gear teeth are preferred, but the teeth of a particular shape or type are not an important feature of the present invention and are actually within the scope of the present invention. It should be understood that means can be used. The annular locking plate 41 (see also FIG. 3) shown in both FIGS. 1 and 2, in which engagement with the gear teeth 39 is released, is arranged to face directly adjacent to the gear teeth 39. . As best seen in FIG. 3, the annular locking plate 41 includes a plurality of recesses 43 extending only halfway through the axial thickness of the locking plate 41.

The locking plate 41 includes a set of ears 45 (shown only in FIGS. 1 and 3). The ears 45 are preferably housed in corresponding cutouts 47 formed by the gear case 11 such that the locking plate 41 cannot rotate relative to the gear case 11 but can move axially. .

Referring back to FIG. 1, the gear case 11 supports a number of spring support members 49 (two of which are shown in FIG. 1). The spring support member 49 is preferably four corresponding to the four ears 45 on the locking plate 41. A compression coil spring 51 is arranged near the right end (in FIG. 1) of each spring support member 49. In the case of the locking plate 41 in the non-operational, unlocked position of FIG. 1, each spring 51 extends in some axial direction beyond the end of its respective support member 49. It extends and exerts a biasing force on the locking plate 41 against the adjacent surface of the end wall 53 of the gear case 11.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the actuation mechanism 37 comprises two subassemblies, a ball lamp actuator, denoted 55, and an electronic actuator, denoted 57. The ball lamp actuator 55 includes an annular inner operating plate 59, disposed in an annular chamber 61 formed by the gear case 11. Adjacent to the operation plate 59, an outer operation plate 63 is disposed outside the chamber 61, and the outer operation plate 63 is a gear case 11 by a storage and holding assembly 65. It is suppressed in the axial direction with respect to. As is well known to those skilled in the art, the operating plates 59 and 63 form a lamp surface, which will be described in more detail below, between which a number of cams 67 are shown, including a cam ball 67. The cam member is arrange | positioned. However, it should be understood that many different types of cam members can be used. In some arrangements, the required "ramping" operation may be achieved only by the action of the corresponding lamp surface, without any cam member being sandwiched.

It is preferable that the electromagnetic actuator 57 includes the electromagnetic coil shown by 71, and the function adds the braking torque required with respect to the outer operation plate 63, and the ball lamp actuator 55 ) To start the rise. The electromagnetic coil 71 is annular, is concentric with respect to the rotation axis A, and is fixedly mounted with respect to the surrounding differential device housing (not shown), so that the gear case 11 is equipped with a coil 71. It is preferable to rotate with respect to The coil 71 comprises an annular coil housing 73 which surrounds the coil 71 on three sides, and the coil 71 is electrically input as a pair of electrical leads 75 schematically shown in FIG. It is suitable for receiving signals. The electromagnetic coil 71 is preferably manufactured according to the instructions of US Pat. No. 5,911,643, which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention and incorporated herein by reference.

An annular spacer plate 77 is coupled to the coil 71, disposed on the left side of the coil in FIG. 2, and transferred to the assignee of the present invention between the coil 71 and the spacer plate 77. Appropriate annular friction material layers, generally indicated as 79, are disposed, such as pyrolytic carbon friction materials manufactured according to the guidance of US Pat. No. 4,700,823, which is incorporated herein by reference. Since the spacer plate 77 includes a magnetic material, when a voltage is applied to the coil 71, a magnetic flux path surrounding the coil 71 passes through the spacer plate 77 to friction the spacer plate 77. Pulled to frictionally engage the material 79. Alternatively, instead of the spacer plate 77 against the friction material layer 79, the spacer plate 77 may be formed of an adjacent end surface of the annular coil housing 73, that is, an outer end surface in the radial direction, or It is also possible to engage either or both of the inner end surfaces in the radial direction. On the radially inner surface of the spacer plate 77, the spacer plate 77 engages the outer surface of the outer working plate 63. Therefore, when the voltage is interrupted to the coil 71, the spacer plate 77 rotates with the operating plate 63 with respect to the coil 71, and then with the gear case 11.

In addition, with reference to FIG. 2, with reference to FIG. 4, the rest of the rotation limiting mechanism, the ball lamp actuator, and the operation of the present invention will be described. According to an important feature of the present invention, three relatively small circular holes 81 are formed in the gear case end wall 53, and three small circular holes 83 are formed adjacent to the inner operating plate 59. do. In each hole 81 an actuating pin 85 is arranged to reciprocate, and each pin 85 has a reduced diameter portion that is press-fitted into an adjacent hole 83 at the right end of FIGS. 2 and 4. Have. Thus, during operation or ramping of the ball lamp actuator 55, the inner operating plate 59 is disposed close to the end wall 53, from its non-operated position shown in FIG. 2, spaced from the end wall 53. 1, it moves toward its operated position, which is schematically shown to some extent in FIG.

However, as mentioned in the art, one object of the present invention is to provide a gear case that is more rigid than is possible in the cited patent device, with a camball disposed in the opening of the end wall. In FIG. 4, it can be seen that the total cutting area from the end wall 53 for the three cam balls 67 is much larger than necessary for the three actuating pins 85. This is due to the engagement of the pin 85 with the locking plate 41 in which the recess 43 extends only in some way through the axial thickness of the plate 41. The remaining thickness of the locking plate 41 behind the recess 43 should be sufficient to withstand the axial force generated by the actuating pin 85 when the ball lamp actuator 55 is ramped up. do.

As explained above, as the inner operating plate 59 moves to the left of FIGS. 2 and 4, such a leftward movement is transmitted to the locking plate 41 by means of the actuating pins 85 and thus the locking plate. 41 is moved from the release position shown in FIG. 2 disposed immediately adjacent the end wall 53 to the locked position shown in FIG. 4 spaced apart from the end wall 53. More importantly, as the locking plate 41 moves toward the locking position, each recess 43 begins to engage with the adjacent teeth 39 on the side gear 25, so that the gear case 11 and the locking Continuous rotation of the plate 41 (assuming “down” in FIG. 4) results in the torque being transmitted directly to the side gear 25, and both the side gears 23, 25 are connected to the gear case 11. Drive together at the same speed in the same direction.

Referring again to FIG. 4, one can see each recess 43 whose periphery is bounded by surfaces 89 and 91 with each surface disposed at an acute angle with respect to the axis of rotation A. FIG. By way of example only in this embodiment, the surfaces 89 and 91 form an angle of about 5 degrees with respect to the axis of rotation A, respectively. Similarly, each tooth 39 is roughly such that when driving the side gear in the direction as shown in FIG. 4, there is a face-to-face engagement between the surface 89 and the adjacent tooth side, at least over a portion thereof. The tooth side surface oriented at the same angle is constituted.

According to another feature of the invention, each operating plate 59 and 63 preferably comprises a composite lamp surface. Thus, half of each lamp surface of each of the operating plates 59 and 63 comprises an initial steep ramp surface 93 and a distal smooth lamp surface 95. By way of example only in this embodiment, the steep ramp surface (indicated as angle “X” in FIG. 4) is in the range of about 12 to 14 degrees, while the gentle ramp surface (indicated as angle “Y” in FIG. 4) is It is in the range of about 3 degrees to 5 degrees.

According to still another feature of the invention, the surfaces 89 and 91 and the respective tooth 39 side surfaces engage the locking plate 41 and the side gear tooth 39 when the coil 71 is operating. The ball lamp actuator 55 is selected to generate sufficient axial force to maintain the pressure and is associated with the angle "X" of the gentle ramp surface. In other words, if the angle " X " is increased from the selected angle, and thus the axial force generated is reduced, the locking plate 41 is assisted by the biasing force of the spring 51, so that the force of the ball lamp actuator 55 Will itself be separated from the tooth 39 against. Thus, when the coupled state of the differential device is no longer needed, and when voltage application to the coil 71 is released, the ball lamp actuator 55 is as shown in FIG. 2 from the ramp-up state of the last shown in FIG. Move towards neutral, central state. When the axial force generated by the ball lamp actuator 55 is released, the angle of the surface 89 and the side of the tooth 39 causes the disengagement of the tooth 39 from the recess 43 and the locking plate The axial movement of 41 is returned from the locked position shown in FIG. 4 toward the disengagement position shown in FIG. Thus, the automatic differential lock of the present invention automatically disengages (ie, from the locked state to the unlocked state) when the electrical input signal 75 corresponds to the voltage release state of the coil 71.

Referring primarily to FIGS. 5 and 6, alternative embodiments of the present invention are described in which the same or similar elements are represented by the same reference numerals and the new elements are represented by reference numerals of "100" or more. The electromagnetic coil 71 is disposed around the bushing member 101 which meshes with the diameter of the gear case 11 adjacent to the hub portion 33. As best seen in FIG. 5, the gear case 11 forms a plurality of spring bores 103, one compression spring 51 is arranged in each bore 103, the function of which is The ball lamp actuator 55 is returned to the neutral position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The difference of this embodiment is that there is no locking plate 41, so that the spring 51 directly engages the inner working plate 59. The inner operating plate 59 forms an “inner” surface 105 (on the left side of FIG. 5), the function of which is described later.

Referring to FIG. 6, the side gear 25 is like a flange that forms a plurality of locking recesses 109 on the side facing the end wall 53 of the gear case 11 toward its outer periphery. Locking portion 107. In this alternative embodiment, by way of example only, there are six recesses 109, each recess having one of many shapes. By way of example only, as seen from the right side of FIG. 6, the recesses 109 have a circular or slightly longer circle shape, each slightly larger than one of the adjacent actuating pins 85. The difference of this embodiment is that each actuating pin 85 engages the side gear 25 directly by engaging the locking portion 107 instead of engaging the locking plate 41, more specifically each The inner end of the pin 85 (left end of FIG. 6) is engaged directly to the side gear 25 by moving to each recess 109.

In operation, the second embodiment operates substantially the same as the first embodiment except for the above-mentioned differences. During normal operation, the coil 71 is in a state where no voltage is applied, the ball lamp actuator 55 is biased into a neutral state, and the pin 85 is in the evicted position as shown, and the device is open. Works like a differential device. When it is necessary to lock the differential, a voltage is applied to the coil 71, causing the operation of the ball lamp actuator 55, as described above, and the inner operating plate 59 to end wall 53. Toward the left side, and toward the left side of FIGS. This movement of the operating plate 59 overcomes the biasing force of the spring 51 and moves each pin 85 to the left toward the corresponding recess 109, so that the locking portion 107 and the side gear 25 ) Is locked with respect to the gear case 11 and locked against rotation.

When the need for lock mode operation no longer exists, such as when the vehicle is in good traction again, the coil 71 is de-energized again so that the inner and outer operating plates 59 and 63 are at the same speed. Can rotate again. The spring 51 returns the operating plate 59 to the position shown in FIG. 5 and the pin back to the position retracted from the recess 109 shown in FIG. 6, again operating the device as an open differential. Allow it.

While the invention has been described in detail above, it is believed that various changes and modifications of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the specification. All such changes and modifications are considered to be included in the present invention as long as they fall within the scope of the appended claims.

A typical differential device, but with improved overall strength and torque transfer capability, sufficiently reducing the size of any cutout in the differential case end wall required by the presence of a ball lamp actuator, and responding to an electrical input signal. It provides an improved automatic differential lock that can be locked.

Claims (16)

A gear case 11 forming a rotation shaft A and a gear chamber 13; At least one input gear, acting as a rotation limiting means 35 which limits the rotation of the first output gear 25 relative to the gear case 11 so that the first output gear and the gear case rotate together. Differential gearing disposed in the gear chamber 13 including a 17 and a first output gear 25 and a second output gear 23; As the operating means 37 for the rotation limiting means, the operating means for the rotation limiting means comprises a first operating plate 59 and a second operating plate 63 disposed in the cam and lamp type actuator 55, Relative rotation of the first operating plate 59 and the second operating plate 63 from the inoperative state to the operating state moves the rotation limiting means toward the engaged state, and the second operating plate 63 causes the Operating means for rotation limiting means, arranged to rotate with the gear case (11) in an inoperative state; The electromagnetic actuator 57 disposed adjacent to the second operation plate 63 and operative to cause rotation of the second operation plate 63 with respect to the gear case 11 in response to an electrical input signal 75. In a differential gear device comprising: A) The first operating plate 59 and the second operating plate 63 are disposed outside the gear case end wall 53, and the first operating plate 59 is an opening 81 in the end wall 53. Move axially towards the end wall 53 to be pushed against a plurality of actuating members 85 extending axially through; (B) The rotation limiting means 35 is disposed adjacent to the first output gear 25 and is fixed so as not to rotate relative to the gear case 11 and movable in an axial direction. 41); (C) The first output gear 25 and the locking plate 41 are the first output gear 25 and the locking when the first operating plate 59 moves toward the end wall 53. The plate 41 cooperates to lock the first output gear 25 and the locking plate 41 into locked positions that do not rotate relative to each other, and the actuating member 85 moves the locking plate 41. And move it to said locked position. 2. The locking plate (1) according to claim 1, wherein when the first operating plate (59) and the second operating plate (63) are in the non-operating state, the locking plate (within a position that is not locked toward the gear case end wall 53). 41) A differential gear device comprising means for deflecting 41). The locking plate (41) according to claim 2, wherein the locking plate (41) comprises a plurality of ears (45) operatively engaged with the gear case (11). The rotation means are not rotated, and the biasing means are secured relative to the gear case and are oriented in parallel to the axis of rotation A and a plurality of elongated support members 49, each end being seated on the support member 49. The upper opposing end is characterized in that it comprises a plurality of compression springs (51) seated against the ears (45) of the locking plate (41). 2. The locking plate (41) according to claim 1, wherein the locking plate (41) is annular around the axis of rotation (A), and the plurality of actuating members (85) are in an annular arrangement around the axis of rotation (A). Differential gear arrangement, characterized in that it is axially aligned with the locking plate (41). 5. The device according to claim 4, wherein in order to lock the first output gear 25 and the locking plate 41 together, the first output gear comprises teeth 39 in an annular arrangement and the locking plate itself And a recess (43) in a mating annular arrangement to receive the tooth (39) arrangement when in the locked position. 6. The recess (43) according to claim 5, wherein each recess (43) comprises engagement surfaces (89, 91) arranged to drive engagement with one side of the adjacent teeth (39), wherein the engagement surfaces (89, 91) An angle with respect to the axis of rotation A, wherein the angle is selected such that the locking plate 41 is separated from the arrangement of teeth 39 when no voltage is applied to the electromagnetic actuator 57. Differential gear device. 8. The first operating plate (59) and the second operating plate (63) form a composite lamp surface, each lamp surface having an initial steep ramp surface (93) and a gentle ramp surface at the end. 95, wherein the angle of the gentle lamp surface 95 is axial when the engagement is caused on the gentle lamp surface 95 with respect to the angle formed by the engagement surfaces 89, 91. Generating a directional force to select the locking plate (41) to be held in the locked position with respect to the first output gear (25). 2. The actuating means for rotation limiting means according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of cam members (67) operatively engaged with the first operating plate (59) and the second operating plate (63). Differential gear device. The electronic actuator (57) according to claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic actuator (57) includes a fixed annular electromagnetic coil (71) surrounding the second operating plate (63), the actuator attached to the second operating plate (63). Differential gear device, characterized in that it comprises a spacer member (77). A case 11 forming a rotation shaft A and a gear chamber 13; It includes a first gear 25, which serves as a rotation limiting means 35 for limiting the rotation of the first gear 25 relative to the case 11 to rotate the first gear and the case together. A gearing disposed in the gear chamber 13; As the operating means 37 for the rotation limiting means, the operating means for the rotation limiting means comprises a first operating plate 59 and a second operating plate 63 disposed in the cam and lamp type actuator 55, Relative rotation of the first operating plate 59 and the second operating plate 63 from the inoperative state to the operating state moves the rotation limiting means toward the engaged state, and the second operating plate 63 causes the Operating means for rotation limiting means, arranged to rotate with the case (11) in an inoperative state; An electronic actuator 57 disposed adjacent to the second operation plate 63 and operative to cause rotation of the second operation plate 63 relative to the case 11 in response to an electrical input signal 75. In a device comprising: (A) the first gear 25 comprises teeth 39 in an annular arrangement, each said tooth including at least one side; (B) The rotation limiting means 35 is disposed adjacent to the first gear 25 and is fixed so as not to rotate relative to the case 11 and movable in the axial direction. Wherein the locking plate defines a plurality of engagement surfaces (89, 91), each of which is arranged to drive engagement with one side of the adjacent tooth (39); (C) each of the engagement surfaces 89, 91 forms an angle with respect to the axis of rotation A, which angle is the locking plate 41 when no voltage is applied to the electromagnetic actuator 57; Device selected from said array of teeth (39). 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the first operating plate (59) and the second operating plate (63) form a composite lamp surface, each lamp surface having an initial steep ramp surface (93) and a gentle ramp surface at the end. 95, wherein the angle of the gentle lamp surface 95 is axial when the engagement is caused on the gentle lamp surface 95 with respect to the angle formed by the engagement surfaces 89, 91. Generating a directional force so as to maintain the locking plate (41) in the locked position with respect to the first gear (25). A gear case 11 forming a rotation shaft A and a gear chamber 13; At least one input gear, acting as a rotation limiting means 35 which limits the rotation of the first output gear 25 relative to the gear case 11 so that the first output gear and the gear case rotate together. Differential gearing disposed in the gear chamber 13 including a 17 and a first output gear 25 and a second output gear 23; As the operating means 37 for the rotation limiting means, the operating means for the rotation limiting means comprises a first operating plate 59 and a second operating plate 63 disposed in the cam and lamp type actuator 55, Relative rotation of the first operating plate 59 and the second operating plate 63 from the inoperative state to the operating state moves the rotation limiting means toward the engaged state, and the second operating plate 63 causes the Operating means for rotation limiting means, arranged to rotate with the gear case (11) in an inoperative state; The electromagnetic actuator 57 disposed adjacent to the second operation plate 63 and operative to cause rotation of the second operation plate 63 with respect to the gear case 11 in response to an electrical input signal 75. A differential gear device comprising: (A) The first operating plate 59 and the second operating plate 63 are disposed outside the gear case end wall 53, and the first operating plate 59 has an opening in the end wall 53. Move axially towards the end wall 53 to be pushed against a plurality of actuating members 85 extending axially through 81; (B) the rotation limiting means 35 comprises a locking portion 107 fixed to rotate with the first output gear 25; (C) the locking portion 107 and the plurality of actuating members 85 are adapted to provide the first output gear 25 and the locking when the first actuating plate 59 moves towards the end wall 53. A portion 107 cooperates to lock the first gear 25 into a locked position that cannot rotate relative to the gear case 11, and the actuating member 85 moves towards the locked position. Differential gear device. 13. The first actuation according to claim 12, wherein when the first actuating plate (59) and the second actuating plate (63) are in the inoperative state, the first actuating into a position that is not locked away from the gear case end wall (53). And a means for deflecting the plate (59). 13. The locking portion (107) according to claim 12, wherein the locking portion (107) is annular around the axis of rotation (A), and the plurality of actuating elements (85) are arranged in an annular arrangement around the axis of rotation (A), Differential gear arrangement, characterized in that it is axially aligned with the locking portion (107). 13. The actuating means for the rotation limiting means according to claim 12, further comprising a plurality of cam members (67) operatively engaged with the first operating plate (59) and the second operating plate (63). Differential gear device. 13. The electronic actuator (57) according to claim 12, wherein the electromagnetic actuator (57) comprises a stationary annular electromagnetic coil (71) surrounding the second operating plate (63), the actuator attached to the second operating plate (63). Differential gear device, characterized in that it comprises a spacer member (77).

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