GEAR-TRANSFER 8E5328 - Caterpillar

Illustration 1 g03725031
Locking differential
(1) Bevel gear (ring)
(2) Differential housing
(3) Case (Differential)
(4) Clutch pack
(5) Bevel gear
(6) Thrust plate
(7) Housing
(8) Piston
(9) Guide pin
(10) Pinion shaft
(11) Spider shaft
(12) Axle shaft
(13) Bevel gear
(14) Pinion gearGeneral Information
A differential divides the power that is sent to the wheels. A differential also causes a balance of power that is sent to the wheels. During a turn, the differential allows the inside wheel to rotate at a slower rate in relation to the outside wheel. The differential still sends the same amount of torque to each wheel.When there is no loss of traction, the operation of the locking differential is identical to the operation of the open differential. When the machine moves in a straight direction with the same amount of traction under each drive wheel, the same amount of torque on each drive axle holds the pinions so the pinions do not turn on the spider. Pinion shaft (10) turns bevel gear (1). Bevel gear (1) turns case (3). Case (3) turns spider shaft (11). Shaft (11) turns side gears (5) and (13) through pinions (14). Pinions (14) do not turn on the shaft. The side gears turn the axle shafts. The same amount of torque is sent through the final drives to each wheel.When the machine is in a turn, the inside wheel is more resistant than the outside wheel in a turn. This resistance causes different torques on the opposite sides of the differential. The outside wheel turns more easily than the inside wheel. The outside wheel starts to turn faster than the inside wheel. Pinion shaft (10) turns bevel gear (1). Bevel gear (1) turns case (3). Case (3) turns spider shaft (11). Shaft (11) turns side gears (5) and (13) through pinions (14). As the pinions turn, the pinions move around the side gears. The differential allows the inside wheel to turn at a slower rate than the outside wheel. The same amount of torque is sent through the final drives to both the inside and outside wheels. This torque is only equal to the amount of torque that is necessary to turn the outside wheel.When one wheel has more traction than the other wheel, the operation of the differential is identical to the operation of the differential during a turn. The same amount of torque is sent to both wheels. This torque is only equal to the amount of torque that is necessary to turn the wheel with the least resistance.Operation of the Locking Differential
The locking differential has an arrangement which allows the differential to be locked and the mechanism enables the axle shafts to be locked together. Both wheels can then rotate at the same speed and torque regardless of different ground resistance between the wheels.The locking differential uses axle housing (7), piston (8), thrust plate (6), clutch pack (4), and guide pin (9) in order to lock side gear (5) to the differential case (3). Refer to Illustration 1. The locking differential uses a side gear (9) that is