A vehicle has an engine, a limited slip differential (LSD) mounted on an axle driven by the engine, and left and right wheels operably connected to the LSD. At least one parameter indicative of a riding condition of the vehicle is determined. A slippery driving condition is detected based on the at least one parameter. The LSD is selectively locked in response to the detection. The slippery driving condition is detected when a torque requested by a user is above a load line of the engine, upon successive wheel slips occurrences, and/or when a wheel slip is detected while a preload is applied to the LSD.

A differential apparatus includes a differential device, and a differential restricting portion configured to restrict a differential operation of the differential device. The differential device includes a differential case which is rotatably disposed, a differential gear which is rotatable while being supported by the differential case and revolves by rotation of the differential case, and a pair of output gears which are meshed with the differential gear and are rotatable relative to each other. The output gears include a gear member provided with a gear portion, and an output member including an output portion configured to output a driving force inputted to the output gears. A cam portion is provided between the gear member and the output member. The differential restricting portion is provided between the differential case and the output member.

A torque transmission apparatus incorporates a differential gear system and a stationary sensor connected to the differential gear system for measuring output torque. The stationary sensor may be connected to a measurement output element of the differential gear system by a torsionally compliant measurement member, wherein the stationary sensor measures torsional deformation of the measurement member. The torsional deformation may be measured directly, or it may be measured following amplification by a gear train. A rotary position sensor may be used as the stationary sensor. Alternatively, the stationary sensor may be connected to the measurement output element of the differential gear system by way of a rigid measurement member, wherein the stationary sensor measures force applied by the measurement member. In this alternative, a force sensor may be used as the stationary sensor.

A control apparatus for a limited-slip differential for front and rear wheels of a vehicle, the control apparatus includes: a basic LSD torque calculation module configured to calculate a basic LSD torque at least on the basis of a transfer input torque; a subtraction LSD torque calculation module configured to calculate a subtraction LSD torque that is subtracted from the basic LSD torque at least on the basis of a vehicle speed and a steering angle; a minimum LSD torque calculation module configured to calculate a minimum LSD torque on the basis of the transfer input torque; a target LSD torque setting module configured to set a target LSD torque at least on the basis of the basic, subtraction, and minimum LSD torques; and a clutch control module configured to control an engaging force of a clutch.

An interference-type torque split differential includes a differential housing, a first differential gear and an interference-type torque split module. The first differential gear is provided in the differential housing. The interference-type torque split module is provided outside the differential housing and has a second differential gear, a first brake source and a second brake source. The second differential gear is connected with the first differential gear. The first brake source and the second brake source are at two sides of the second differential gear, respectively. The first brake source or the second brake source provides multiple stages of clamping force for performing torque split.

A differential apparatus includes a differential device, and a differential restricting portion configured to restrict a differential operation of the differential device. The differential device includes a differential case which is rotatably disposed, a differential gear which is rotatable while being supported by the differential case and revolves by rotation of the differential case, and a pair of output gears which are meshed with the differential gear and are rotatable relative to each other. The output gears include a gear member provided with a gear portion, and an output member including an output portion configured to output a driving force inputted to the output gears. A cam portion is provided between the gear member and the output member. The differential restricting portion is provided between the differential case and the output member.

A differential is provided with: a torque receiving casing; a differential gear set having first and second side gears to differentially distribute torque to the first and second side gears; a clutch interposed between the casing and the first side gear and configured to exert a frictional braking force on the first side gear against the casing to limit a differential motion between the first side gear and the second side gear; an actuator configured to apply a pressing force to the clutch to control the differential motion; and an electronic control unit configured to calculate a demand torque value from the input torque, compare the wheel load with a threshold value to determine a correction value, make a correction in the demand torque value by the correction value to obtain a demand value, and control an electric power supplied to the actuator in response to the demand value.

An interference-type torque split differential includes a differential housing, a first differential gear and an interference-type torque split module. The first differential gear is provided in the differential housing. The interference-type torque split module is provided outside the differential housing and has a second differential gear, a first brake source and a second brake source. The second differential gear is connected with the first differential gear. The first brake source and the second brake source are at two sides of the second differential gear, respectively. The first brake source or the second brake source provides multiple stages of clamping force for performing torque split.

A differential rotation limiting force control apparatus for a center differential includes an outwardly headed state detection processor and a limiting force control processor. The outwardly headed state detection processor makes a detection of an outwardly headed state in which a vehicle is cornering with a yaw rate and a side-slip angle of a vehicle body of the vehicle having the same sign. In response to the detection of the outwardly headed state, the limiting force control processor controls a limiting force that limits differential rotation between front and rear wheel driving devices, to reduce a difference between a motive force on a front wheel caused by an output of the travel power source and an absolute value of a braking force on the front wheel caused by internal circulation torque of the center differential.

A control apparatus for a limited-slip differential for front and rear wheels of a vehicle, the control apparatus includes: a basic LSD torque calculation module configured to calculate a basic LSD torque at least on the basis of a transfer input torque; a subtraction LSD torque calculation module configured to calculate a subtraction LSD torque that is subtracted from the basic LSD torque at least on the basis of a vehicle speed and a steering angle; a minimum LSD torque calculation module configured to calculate a minimum LSD torque on the basis of the transfer input torque; a target LSD torque setting module configured to set a target LSD torque at least on the basis of the basic, subtraction, and minimum LSD torques; and a clutch control module configured to control an engaging force of a clutch.