Gearless Differential
The power of lockers isn’t just for the big rigs. The serious traction provided by Eaton’s Gearless® Locker dramatically changes both the fun and function of any ATV. Gearless is a speed sensitive automatic locking differential. It powers both wheels, yet automatically permits differential operation to compensate for wheel speed differences that occur when making a turn or driving over obstacles. By eliminating individual wheel spin-out you will be able to go new places and work on a much greater range of driving surfaces.
Gearless® Operation
The Gearless Locker has left and right clutch housing that are coupled to the side gear through a set of friction plates. The drive pin that is fixed to the differential support case is located between the two clutch housings. Each clutch housing has ‘V’ grooves where the drive pin is nested. When the differential support case and drive pin rotate, the drive pin runs up the ramp of the ‘V’ grooves and separates the two clutch housings. This motion squeezes the friction plates together or ‘energizes’, the torque flow travels from the differential support case through the components to the axle and wheels.
When driving straight, in either forward or reverse, both friction packs are energized and 50% of the torque flows to each drive wheel. However, when driving in a turn, the friction pack for the outside wheel is de-energized and 100% of the available torque is transmitted to the inside drive wheel. The faster turning (outside) wheel overruns, until both wheel speeds match and the Gearless Locker automatically re-energizes to the fully locked position.
Gearless® Operation
The Gearless Locker has left and right clutch housing that are coupled to the side gear through a set of friction plates. The drive pin that is fixed to the differential support case is located between the two clutch housings. Each clutch housing has ‘V’ grooves where the drive pin is nested. When the differential support case and drive pin rotate, the drive pin runs up the ramp of the ‘V’ grooves and separates the two clutch housings. This motion squeezes the friction plates together or ‘energizes’, the torque flow travels from the differential support case through the components to the axle and wheels.
When driving straight, in either forward or reverse, both friction packs are energized and 50% of the torque flows to each drive wheel. However, when driving in a turn, the friction pack for the outside wheel is de-energized and 100% of the available torque is transmitted to the inside drive wheel. The faster turning (outside) wheel overruns, until both wheel speeds match and the Gearless Locker automatically re-energizes to the fully locked position.
Below is a list of common applications for the Gearless Differential:
- All Terrain Vehicles (ATV)
- Utility Vehicles
- Recreation Vehicles
- Golf Carts
- Farm Vehicles
- Turf Management
- Landscape Vehicles
- Provides a fully locked axle that automatically unlocks when wheel speeds are mismatched
- Simple, proven design
- Smooth and quiet operation
- Eliminates wheel spin-out and improves handling
- Transparent function to the vehicle operator
