An electronically controlled differential with a system for controlling torque distribution

Claim 1

An automobile differential, particularly for four wheel drive vehicles, provided with a system for varying and controlling continuously torque distribution between the wheels of a same axle, of the type comprising a housing (2, 202) containing a pair of axle shafts (10, 11, 210, 211) having their outer end portions fitted with respective means (13, 213) for coupling to a driving wheel (13a, 13b) of an axle of the vehicle, an input shaft (3, 203) being adapted for transmitting torque (M) to said axle shafts (10, 11, 210, 211) through a differential (7, 207) provided with a crown gear (5, 205) rotatably coupled to said input shaft (3, 203), characterized in that, in order to transmit part of the torque (M), between the crown gear (5, 205) and the axle shaft (10, 11, 210, 211) end portions external to the differential, there are interposed in series: a) gearing-up means (15, 17, 18, 215, 217, 220) connected to the crown gear (5, 205); b) means (24, 25, 224, 225) for releasably coupling for rotation, normally open and adapted for transmitting torque; c) control means (34, 35, 234, 235) for varying the condition of said means (24, 25, 224, 225) for releasably coupling for rotation, so as to continuously control torque (M) distribution between the axle shafts (10, 11, 210, 211).