Limited slip differential and control method thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a technology for continuously switching between a medium torque transmission state and a high torque transmission state using a limited-slip differential during vehicle travel. The present invention provides a limited-slip differential and a control method thereof. The limited-slip differential is configured to include: an input shaft, an output shaft, a medium torque transmission device, and a high torque transmission device. The input shaft is constantly connected to a differential case of the differential; the output shaft is selectively connected to the input shaft via a clutch plate pack and constantly connected to the wheels; the medium torque transmission device is configured to press a clutch plate coupled to the input shaft to press-fit the clutch plate pack; and the high torque transmission device selectively engages the clutch plate by moving a hub coupled to the output shaft when the input and output shafts are synchronized with the clutch plate pack being tightened.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a limited slip differential and a control method thereof, wherein, during the driving process of a vehicle, the limited slip differential is used to continuously realize switching between a medium torque transmission state and a high torque transmission state. Background Art

[0002] A differential is a device that creates a speed difference between the inside and outside wheels when a vehicle turns.

[0003] When a vehicle's wheels enter a low-friction surface (such as sand or an icy road), the wheels that have entered the low-friction surface rotate at high speed without traction, and almost no power is transmitted to the wheels on the high-friction surface, making it difficult for the vehicle to break away from the low-friction surface.

[0004] Meanwhile, a limited slip differential refers to a device used to address the shortcomings of this type of differential, and serves to limit the differential action.

[0005] For example, a limited slip differential may be provided between the differential and the wheels, and a multi-plate clutch may be provided between an input shaft connected to the differential case and an output shaft connected to the wheels.

[0006] If the multi-plate clutch is engaged, the torque applied from the input shaft is transmitted to the output shaft through the multi-plate clutch, thereby limiting the differential action of the differential.

[0007] The torque transmission force transmitted by the multi-plate clutch is determined by the disc size of the multi-plate clutch, the piston pressure, etc. In order to transmit high torques above 5000Nm, it is necessary to increase the size of the multi-plate clutch and the piston pressure.

[0008] Furthermore, in order to increase the pressing force, the size of the piston needs to be increased, and the size of the pressing power source (eg, a motor or a pump) needs to be increased.

[0009] However, if the size of the components constituting the limited slip differential is increased, vehicle mountability is reduced, vehicle weight is increased, costs are increased, and other problems make it difficult to apply it to vehicles.

[0010] Meanwhile, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2018-0038372 has been proposed as a related art to solve such problems.

[0011] A limited slip differential for a vehicle according to the related art has a screw mechanism configured to convert rotation of an electric motor into linear motion of a side gear shaft of a nut member in a first axis direction.

[0012] If the piston mounted on the nut member moves opposite to the direction in which the friction engagement element is pressed, the piston and the clutch drum engage and become unable to rotate relative to each other, thereby mechanically restricting the differential rotation of the pair of side gears.

[0013] Therefore, the rear wheel differential generates differential limiting torque for limiting differential rotation of the pair of side gears by rotating the single electric motor, or mechanically limits differential rotation of the pair of side gears.

[0014] However, the problem with the prior art is that if the state of generating differential limiting torque is to be switched to the state of mechanically limiting differential rotation, the generation of differential limiting torque needs to be released, and the differential rotation needs to be limited after the vehicle stops. In other words, mechanically limiting differential rotation is very inconvenient.

[0015] The above description of the background technology is only used to help understand the background of the present invention, and those skilled in the art should not regard it as corresponding to the known prior art.

[0016] Relevant prior art includes KR 10-2018-0038372 A. Summary of the Invention

[0017] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0018] The present invention is made to solve the above-mentioned problems. One aspect of the present invention provides a limited slip differential and a control method thereof, wherein during vehicle driving, the limited slip differential is used to continuously switch between a medium torque transmission state and a high torque transmission state.

[0019] Technical solutions to technical problems

[0020] According to one aspect, the present invention may include: an input shaft, an output shaft, a medium torque transmission device, and a high torque transmission device, wherein the input shaft is always connected to the differential case of the differential; the output shaft is selectively connected to the input shaft through a clutch plate group and is always connected to the wheels; the medium torque transmission device is configured to press the clutch plate connected to the input shaft so that the clutch plate group is compressed and engaged; the hub connected to the output shaft moves through the high torque transmission device when the input shaft and the output shaft are synchronized according to the engagement of the clutch plate group, thereby selectively engaging with the clutch plate.

[0021] The intermediate torque transmitting device may include: a clutch plate provided at an end of the clutch plate group and spline-coupled to an inner circumferential surface of the input shaft to move in an axial direction; and a first piston configured to press the clutch plate in a direction in which the clutch plate group is engaged.

[0022] The high torque transmission device may include: internal teeth of the plate, a hub, external teeth of the hub and a second piston, the internal teeth of the plate being formed on the clutch plate; the hub being splined to the outer peripheral surface of the output shaft so as to move in the axial direction; external teeth of the hub being formed on the hub and having a shape corresponding to the internal teeth of the plate so as to engage with the internal teeth of the plate; the second piston being configured to press the hub so that the external teeth of the hub move to a position where the external teeth of the hub engage with the internal teeth of the plate.

[0023] The plate inner teeth may be formed on the inner circumferential surface of the clutch plate; and the hub outer teeth may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the hub to be spline-coupled to the plate inner teeth.

[0024] The output retainer may be integrally formed in a cylindrical shape extending from the shaft portion of the output shaft in the outer diameter direction; one end of the hub may be spline-coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the end portion of the output retainer; and the other end of the hub may be bent inwardly to be pressed by the second piston.

[0025] A method for controlling the operation of a limited slip differential according to the present invention may include: a medium torque transmission step, in which, when a medium torque transmission condition required by the limited slip differential according to a vehicle driving state is satisfied, a controller performs control so that a clutch plate is pressed to enable the clutch plate group to be compressed and engaged; and a high torque transmission step, in which, when a high torque transmission condition required by the limited slip differential according to the vehicle driving state is satisfied, the controller performs control so that a hub coupled to an output shaft engages with the clutch plate in a state in which the input shaft and the output shaft are synchronized by medium torque transmission.

[0026] Effects of the Invention

[0027] The advantages of the present invention, through the above-described technical solution, are that differential limiting actions at medium and high torque levels can be continuously switched, allowing the differential limited transfer torque to be seamlessly connected to the target transfer torque. Consequently, vehicle disengagement performance on road conditions such as rough and low-friction surfaces can be improved, and differential limiting actions can be switched by increasing or decreasing transfer torque without requiring separate driver manipulation, thereby enhancing driving convenience. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a limited slip differential according to the present invention.

[0029] Figure 2 The limited slip differential of the present invention is shown in a state where the differential operation is released.

[0030] Figure 3 The differential operation state of the limited slip differential of the present invention at a medium torque level is shown.

[0031] Figure 4The differential operation state of the limited slip differential of the present invention at a high torque level is shown.

[0032] Figures 5 to 7 Various transmission torque behaviors during the differential limiting action according to the present invention are explained.

[0033] Figure 8 Various transmission torque behaviors during the differential limiting action to which the present invention is not applied are explained. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] Figure 1 A limited slip differential suitable for the present invention is shown, which is mounted on one side of the differential by using an inner shaft 20 as a shaft.

[0036] Referring to the accompanying drawings, in view of the configuration of the limited slip differential, one end of an inner shaft 20 formed as a solid shaft is connected to a half-shaft gear (not shown) within the differential (not shown), and the other end of the inner shaft 20 is connected to a wheel (not shown) of the vehicle via a constant velocity joint.

[0037] Furthermore, the input shaft 10 is formed as a hollow shaft to be inserted so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the inner shaft 20 , thereby forming a structure that is always connected to the differential case 1 of the differential and rotates therewith.

[0038] In addition, the output shaft 30 is formed as a hollow shaft to be inserted so as to be rotatably restricted by the inner shaft 20, and the output shaft 30 and the input shaft 10 are connected by the clutch plate group 40 to be configured to selectively transmit the torque transmitted from the input shaft 10 to the wheels through the output shaft 30.

[0039] That is, the output shaft 30 is selectively connected to the input shaft 10 through the clutch plate group 40 to form a structure that is always connected to the wheels through the inner shaft 20, thereby selectively transmitting the torque transmitted from the input shaft 10 to the wheels.

[0040] According to the above structure, since the clutch plate group 40 is disengaged in a normal driving state, the power input to the differential is transmitted to the inner shaft 20 through the side gears of the differential, and accordingly, the power is transmitted to the wheels of the vehicle through the inner shaft 20.

[0041] On the other hand, since the clutch plate group 40 is engaged in a driving state requiring differential limiting action, the power input to the differential is transmitted to the input shaft 10 through the differential case 1 of the differential, and the power transmitted to the input shaft 10 is transmitted to the output shaft 30 through the clutch plate group 40, and then transmitted from the output shaft 30 to the inner shaft 20, and thus transmitted to the wheels of the vehicle.

[0042] Specifically, the present invention includes a medium torque transmission device and a high torque transmission device. The medium torque transmission device is configured to press the clutch plate 50 connected to the input shaft 10 so that the clutch plate group 40 is compressed and engaged. Through the high torque transmission device, the hub 70 connected to the output shaft 30 moves in a synchronized state according to the engagement of the clutch plate group 40 while the input shaft 10 and the output shaft 30 are synchronized, thereby selectively engaging with the clutch plate 50.

[0043] For example, the medium torque is the torque that can be transmitted in a general limited slip differential, and can be the maximum torque that can be achieved when the plates of the clutch plate group 40 set in the limited slip differential are face-pressed and engaged, which may vary depending on the specifications of the clutch plate group 40.

[0044] The high torque is a torque that is higher than the medium torque by a certain amount or more, and may be a torque that can be achieved in a state in which the plates of the clutch plate pack 40 are mechanically engaged.

[0045] For reference, a multi-plate clutch is preferably applied to the clutch plate group 40 , but other types of clutch mechanisms having the same or similar torque transmission capability as the multi-plate clutch may also be applicable.

[0046] That is, when the limited slip differential requires torque transfer at a moderate torque level, e.g. Figure 3 As shown, the multi-plate clutch 40 is engaged using the clutch plates 50 coupled to the input shaft 10 so that differential action is limited by the compression engagement force.

[0047] When a limited slip differential requires high torque levels of torque transfer, such as Figure 4 As shown, since the rotation of the input shaft 10 and the output shaft 30 are synchronized by the compression engagement force of the multi-plate clutch 40, the hub 70 connected to the output shaft 30 is pushed to mechanically engage with the clutch plate 50, and therefore, the differential action is limited by the mechanical coupling force between the hub 70 and the clutch plate 50.

[0048] As described above, during vehicle driving, the present invention enables continuous switching between the medium torque transmission state and the high torque transmission state through the limited slip differential, thereby improving the rough road release performance of the vehicle and improving driving convenience.

[0049] Reference Figures 1 to 3 , in view of the detailed configuration of the intermediate torque transmitting device, the clutch plate 50 is provided at the end of the clutch plate group 40, and the clutch plate 50 is spline-coupled to the inner circumferential surface of the input shaft 10 to move in the axial direction.

[0050] Furthermore, the first piston 60 is configured to press the clutch plates 50 in a direction in which the clutch plate group 40 engages.

[0051] For example, the input retainer 14 is integrally formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the outer diameter direction from one end of the shaft portion 12 of the input shaft 10 , and a plurality of drive plates 42 are spline-coupled to the inner peripheral surface of the input retainer 14 .

[0052] In addition, the output retainer 34 is integrally formed into a cylindrical shape extending from the middle of the shaft portion 32 of the output shaft 30 in the outer diameter direction, and a plurality of driven plates 44 are spline-connected to the outer peripheral surface of the output retainer 34, and the driven plates 44 are located between the drive plates 42, thereby forming a multi-plate clutch 40.

[0053] Specifically, the clutch plate 50 is spline-coupled to an end portion corresponding to the outer side of the inner peripheral surface of the input retainer 14 .

[0054] Therefore, the first piston 60 is movably provided in the axial direction to face the clutch plates 50 , so that the first piston 60 presses the clutch plates 50 in the axial direction, thereby compressing and engaging the multi-plate clutch 40 .

[0055] At this moment, first piston 60 is preferably operated by hydraulic pressure, but can also be operated by electric driving force using actuator.In this case, between actuator and first piston 60, mechanical connection structure is provided to transmit driving force.

[0056] In addition, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 4 In view of the detailed structure of the high torque transmission device, inner plate teeth 52 are formed on a portion of the clutch plate 50 .

[0057] Then, the hub 70 is spline-coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the output shaft 30 so that the hub 70 moves in the axial direction.

[0058] In addition, hub external teeth 72 are formed on a portion of the hub 70 , the shape of which corresponds to the segment internal teeth 52 , and the hub external teeth 72 mesh with the segment internal teeth 52 .

[0059] The hub 70 is configured to be pressed by the second piston 80 so that the hub external teeth 72 can be moved to a position where they mesh with the plate internal teeth 52 .

[0060] For example, gear-shaped plate internal teeth 52 are formed along the inner peripheral surface of the clutch plate 50 .

[0061] Then, the hub 70 is spline-coupled to the end of the outer circumferential surface of the output retainer 34 formed on the output shaft 30 , and gear-shaped hub external teeth 72 are formed along the outer circumferential surface of the end of the hub 70 closest to the clutch plate 50 .

[0062] The second piston 80 is movably arranged in the axial direction to face the hub 70, so that the hub 70 is pushed in the axial direction by the second piston 80, so that the hub outer teeth 72 move to a position corresponding to the plate inner teeth 52, so that the hub outer teeth 72 and the plate inner teeth 52 are meshed into a spline structure.

[0063] At this time, like the first piston 60, the second piston 80 is preferably operated using hydraulic pressure, but it can also be operated using an actuator with an electric drive force. In this case, a mechanical connection structure is provided between the actuator and the second piston 80 to transmit the driving force. For reference, although not shown in the figure, the first piston 60 and the second piston 80 can be moved backward by a return spring.

[0064] Reference Figure 2 The outer circumferential surface of one end of the hub 70 is spline-connected to the outer circumferential surface of one end of the output retainer 34 , and the other end of the hub 70 is bent from one end toward the inner diameter direction, so that the other end of the hub 70 is pressed by the second piston 80 .

[0065] For example, when the other end of the hub 70 is bent in the inner diameter direction, the outer face of the other end of the hub 70 is pressed by the second piston 80 and the inner face of the other end of the hub 70 faces the end of the output retainer 34 .

[0066] Therefore, when the hub outer teeth 72 and the plate inner teeth 52 are fully spline-connected through the hub 70 pressed by the second piston 80, the inner surface of the other end of the hub 70 is stuck on the end of the output retainer 34, thereby preventing the hub 70 from excessively moving into the interior of the multi-plate clutch 40 and preventing damage to the multi-plate clutch 40.

[0067] The method for controlling the operation of the limited slip differential according to the above configuration includes a medium torque transmitting step and a high torque transmitting step.

[0068] Reference Figure 1 First, in the medium torque transmission step, when the medium torque transmission condition required by the limited slip differential according to the vehicle driving state is met, the controller 100 performs control so that the clutch plate 50 is pressed so that the clutch plate group 40 can be compressed and engaged.

[0069] For example, when factors reflecting the vehicle's driving state (such as vehicle speed and wheel speed) are detected by various sensors and input into the controller 100, the controller 100 analyzes the input values ​​to determine whether the medium torque transmission condition is met, and as a result of the determination, when it is determined that the medium torque transmission condition is met, the controller 100 operates the first piston 60 through the operation of the pressure drive source (pump) 90 to perform a differential limiting action, so that the multi-plate clutch 40 is compressed and engaged.

[0070] In the high torque transmission step, when the high torque transmission conditions required by the limited slip differential according to the vehicle driving state are met, the controller 100 performs control so that the hub 70 connected to the output shaft 30 engages with the clutch plate 50 when the input shaft 10 and the output shaft 30 are synchronized through medium torque transmission.

[0071] For example, when factors reflecting the driving state of the vehicle (such as vehicle speed and wheel speed) are detected by sensors and input into the controller 100, the controller 100 analyzes the input values ​​to determine whether the high torque transmission conditions are met, and as a result of the determination, when it is determined that the high torque transmission conditions are met, the controller 100 operates the second piston 80 through the operation of the pressure driving source (pump) 90 to perform a differential limiting action, so that the hub 70 moves, thereby mechanically spline-connecting the hub outer teeth 72 with the plate inner teeth.

[0072] For reference, the controller 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be implemented by a non-volatile memory (not shown) and a processor (not shown), the non-volatile memory being configured to store data related to an algorithm configured to control the operation of various components of the vehicle or software instructions for reproducing the algorithm, and the processor being configured to use the data stored in the corresponding memory to perform the following operations. In this case, the memory and the processor can be implemented as separate chips. Alternatively, the memory and the processor can be implemented as a single chip integrated with each other. The processor can have one or more processors.

[0073] Take the medium torque transmission and high torque transmission operation process of the limited slip differential as an example, Figure 2 As shown in FIG, in the state where the differential limiting action is released, when the limited slip differential requires the differential limiting action to be limited to the medium torque level, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown, the first piston 60 is hydraulically operated to compress and engage the multi-plate clutch 40 .

[0074] Therefore, the differential action is limited to a medium torque level (eg, 2300 Nm) by the compression engagement force of the multi-plate clutch 40 .

[0075] like Figure 4 As shown, in the state where the differential limiting action is limited to the medium torque level as described above, when it is required to limit the differential limiting action to the high torque level, the second piston 80 is hydraulically operated to push the hub 70 toward the clutch plate 50, so that the hub outer teeth 72 are spline-connected with the plate inner teeth 52.

[0076] That is, since the rotations of the input shaft 10 and the output shaft 30 are synchronized by the compressive engagement force of the multi-plate clutch 40 before the hub external teeth 72 mesh with the plate internal teeth 52 , the hub external teeth 72 naturally move to the plate internal teeth 52 to mesh therewith.

[0077] Therefore, the differential action is limited to high torque levels (eg, 5000 Nm or higher) by the mechanical coupling force between the hub 70 and the clutch plate 50 .

[0078] Figure 5 The figure shows the transmission torque behavior during differential limiting operation according to the present invention. Here, with the multi-plate clutch 40 disengaged, it engages, gradually increasing the transmission torque from point ① to point ②. At this point, point ②, corresponding to the fully compressed and engaged state of the multi-plate clutch 40, is where differential limiting operation is performed with a medium level of transmission torque.

[0079] Then, when differential limiting at a high torque level is required, the hub 70 is pushed, and the hub external teeth 72 mesh with the plate internal teeth 52, causing the transmission torque to rise sharply from point ② to point ③. That is, at time ③, corresponding to the state in which the hub 70 and clutch plate 50 are mechanically engaged with each other, the differential limiting action is performed by the high torque level of transmission torque.

[0080] Thereafter, when differential restriction at a high torque level is maintained until reaching point 4, and when differential restriction at a medium torque level is again required, the hub 70 recovers and moves, releasing the hub external teeth 72 from meshing with the plate internal teeth 52. Consequently, the transmitted torque drops sharply from point 4 to point 5. However, point 5, corresponding to the state in which the multi-plate clutch 40 is compressed and engaged, is the point at which differential restriction is still being performed with the transmitted torque at a medium torque level.

[0081] When the differential limiting action is not required, the multi-plate clutch 40 is disengaged, and therefore the transmission torque gradually decreases from point ⑤ to point ⑥, and the differential limiting action is completely released at point ⑥.

[0082] Figure 6 Another transmission torque performance during the differential limiting action according to the present invention is shown. Here, when a differential limiting action of a medium torque level is required, the multi-plate clutch 40 is engaged, thereby gradually increasing the transmission torque from point ①.

[0083] However, when a high-torque differential limiting action is required before the multi-plate clutch 40 is fully engaged, the hub 70 moves during the engagement of the multi-plate clutch 40, causing the hub external teeth 72 to mesh with the plate internal teeth 52. As a result, the transmitted torque increases sharply from point ②' to point ③. Although the torque at point ②' is lower than the torque when the multi-plate clutch 40 is fully engaged, the torque at point ②' is at a torque level that provides no problem in achieving synchronization between the input shaft 10 and the output shaft 30.

[0084] That is, when a high torque level differential limiting action is required during a medium torque level differential limiting action, the hub 70 is immediately operated so that the hub 70 is mechanically coupled to the clutch plate 50 , thereby performing the differential limiting action at a high torque level.

[0085] Figure 7 FIG. 3 shows another example of transmitted torque during differential limiting according to the present invention. Here, when a differential limiting operation at a medium torque level or below is required during a differential limiting operation at a high torque level, hub 70 recovers and moves, releasing hub external teeth 72 from engagement with plate internal teeth 52. Simultaneously, a portion of the engagement force of multi-plate clutch 40 is released, causing the transmitted torque to drop sharply from point 4 to point 5′.

[0086] Then, the engagement force of the multi-plate clutch 40 is completely released, so the transmission torque gradually decreases from point ⑤' to point ⑥, and the differential limiting operation is completely released at point ⑥.

[0087] That is, when a differential limiting action is required at a torque level slightly lower than the medium torque level while the differential limiting action is being performed at a high torque level, after the mechanical connection between the hub 70 and the clutch plate 50 is released, only a portion of the engagement force of the multi-plate clutch 40 is released, and therefore, the differential limiting action is performed at a level slightly lower than the medium torque level.

[0088] Figure 8 The figure shows the torque transfer behavior when differential limiting at a medium torque level and differential limiting at a high torque level are executed discontinuously. Following the medium torque level differential limiting operation, the corresponding medium torque differential limiting operation is released. Then, after the vehicle stops, differential limiting at a high torque level is resumed.

[0089] That is, when the differential limiting operation at the medium torque level and the differential limiting operation at the high torque level are not performed continuously, the differential limiting operation cannot be performed smoothly.

[0090] As described above, the present invention can continuously switch between the differential limiting action at the medium torque level and the differential limiting action at the high torque level, thereby seamlessly connecting the differential limiting transfer torque to the target transfer torque.

[0091] Therefore, the present invention improves the vehicle's disengagement performance under road conditions such as rough roads and low-friction roads, and can switch the differential limiting action according to the increase or decrease of the transmitted torque without the driver's separate manipulation, thereby improving the driver's driving convenience.

[0092] Although the present invention has been described in detail with respect to only the above specific examples, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention, and such modifications and variations are within the scope of the appended claims.

[0093] Description of reference numerals:

[0094] 1: Differential case

[0095] 10: Input shaft

[0096] 12: Shaft

[0097] 14: Input keeper

[0098] 20: Inner shaft

[0099] 30: Output shaft

[0100] 32: Shaft

[0101] 34: Output keeper

[0102] 40: Clutch plate group (multi-plate clutch)

[0103] 42: Driver disk

[0104] 44: Driven disc

[0105] 50: Clutch plate

[0106] 52: Internal teeth

[0107] 60: First Piston

[0108] 70: Hub

[0109] 72: Hub external gear

[0110] 80: Second piston

[0111] 90: Pressure driving source

[0112] 100: Controller.

Claims

1. A limited slip differential, comprising: the input shaft, which is always connected to the differential case of the differential; an output shaft selectively connected to the input shaft via a clutch plate pack and always connected to the wheels; a medium torque transmitting device configured to press a clutch plate coupled to the input shaft such that the clutch plate pack is compressed and engaged; as well as a high torque transmission device through which a hub coupled to the output shaft is moved in a state in which the input shaft and the output shaft are synchronized according to engagement of a clutch plate pack, thereby selectively engaging with the clutch plates; The high torque transmission device comprises: Inner plate teeth formed on the clutch plate; a hub spline-coupled to an outer peripheral surface of the output shaft so as to move in an axial direction; hub external teeth formed on the hub, having a shape corresponding to the internal teeth of the blades so as to mesh with the internal teeth of the blades; and a second piston configured to press the hub so that the hub outer teeth move to a position where the hub outer teeth mesh with the plate inner teeth; wherein the output retainer is integrally formed into a cylindrical shape extending from the shaft portion of the output shaft in the outer diameter direction; One end of the hub is spline-connected to the outer circumference of the end portion of the output retainer; The other end of the hub is bent inward to be pressed by the second piston.

2. The limited slip differential according to claim 1, wherein: The intermediate torque transmitting device comprises: a clutch plate provided at an end portion of the clutch plate group and spline-coupled to an inner peripheral surface of the input shaft so as to move in an axial direction; and The first piston is configured to press the clutch plate in a direction in which the clutch plate group engages.

3. The limited slip differential according to claim 1, wherein: The inner teeth of the plate are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the clutch plate; The hub external teeth are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the hub and are spline-connected to the plate internal teeth.

4. A method for controlling operation of a limited slip differential according to claim 1, the method comprising: a medium torque transmission step in which, when a medium torque transmission condition required by the limited slip differential according to the vehicle driving state is satisfied, the controller performs control so that the clutch plate is pressed so that the clutch plate group can be compressed and engaged; as well as In the high torque transmission step, when the high torque transmission conditions required by the limited slip differential according to the vehicle driving state are met, the controller performs control so that the hub coupled to the output shaft engages with the clutch plate in a state in which the input shaft and the output shaft are synchronized through medium torque transmission.

Images