Differential Planetary Gearing Patents (Class 475/220)
  • Patent number: 11499615
    Abstract: An automobile vehicle split torque transmission includes an electrical motor having a rotor drive shaft with a drive pinion attached to the rotor drive shaft, the rotor drive shaft defining a first axis. A first transfer gear is mounted on a first transfer gear shaft defining a second axis, the first transfer gear meshed with the drive pinion. A second transfer gear is mounted on a second transfer gear shaft defining a third axis, the second transfer gear meshed with the drive pinion. A differential ring gear is supported on a differential shaft and rotates a differential assembly, the differential shaft defining a fourth axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Chi Teck Lee, Christopher M. Kaminski, Kirk L. Wirth, Dan Coffey
  • Patent number: 10935124
    Abstract: A carrier assembly includes a first portion having a cover flange. A second portion is coupled with the cover flange. A first trunnion is coupled with the first portion, and a second trunnion coupled with the first portion opposite the first trunnion. A first trunnion rib is coupled with the first portion, wherein the first trunnion rib projects outward from the first portion. A second trunnion rib is coupled with the first portion, wherein the second trunnion rib projects outward from the first portion. The first and second trunnion ribs are offset from a trunnion centerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Caleb S. Kruger, Nathan D. Mandery, David S. Miller, Edwin O. Swinehart, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10596901
    Abstract: A differential device includes: a differential case on which a meshed portion is formed; a tubular slide member that has a meshing portion; a differential gear mechanism disposed inside the slide member; a pinion gear shaft that supports pinion gears of the differential gear mechanism; and an actuator that moves the slide member in the axial direction. The slide member has a cylindrical portion, on one side of which in the axial direction the meshing portion is formed, and a long hole that extends in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion and that opens toward the other side in the axial direction, which is the opposite side from the meshing portion. The pinion gear shaft is fitted with the long hole, and supported by the slide member. A reinforcing ring that suppresses deformation of the slide member is attached to an end portion of the cylindrical portion in which the long hole opens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tadashi Yoshisaka, He Jin, Yasunori Kamitani
  • Patent number: 10591040
    Abstract: In a differential device including a differential case having a case main body with an access window, a flange part includes: a first flange part outside a region sandwiched by paired imaginary straight lines passing through an axis and inner ends, on one and another sides in a peripheral direction of the case, of the window when viewed on a projection plane orthogonal to the axis; and the second flange part in the region. The second flange part includes a predetermined region spaced in the peripheral direction from a border part with the first flange part and capable of avoiding stress concentration around a degassing passage in the predetermined region when a thrust load acts on the flange part so as to generate stress resisting inclination thereof. The degassing passage is disposed only in the first flange part, only in the predetermined region, or only in both of them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Musashi Seimitsu Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoichi Yanase
  • Patent number: 10563749
    Abstract: A power transmission device that includes a differential ring gear that meshes with a drive pinion gear to which power from a transmission is transmitted; a differential gear including a differential case coupled to the differential ring gear; a case that houses the differential ring gear and the differential gear; and a resinous partition that partitions an inside of the case into a differential chamber where the differential ring gear and the differential gear are placed and a working oil reservoir chamber to reserve working oil, wherein the partition includes a magnetic plate fixed to a lower part of a side surface thereof that faces the working oil reservoir chamber, and a magnet magnetically attracted and attached to the magnetic plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akira Noguchi, Tomoki Nishikubo, Ren Agatsuma
  • Patent number: 10464418
    Abstract: A transaxle may include an input shaft including a first shaft and a second shaft; and a torque limiter including an input unit and connected to the other end of the first shaft so as to be relatively non-rotatable, a driven unit connected to a second end of the second shaft so as to be relatively non-rotatable, and a region transmitting a torque between the input unit and the driven unit while limiting the torque to a predetermined value or less. By connecting the input unit and the driven unit of the torque limiter with a one-way clutch, the second shaft is rotatable relative to the first shaft when a rotation direction of the first shaft is a first direction, and the second shaft is non-rotatable relative to the first shaft when the rotation direction is a second direction opposite to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: KANZAKI KOKYUKOKI MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Michio Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 10451164
    Abstract: An axle assembly having a drive pinion that may be rotatably supported by first and second sets of roller bearing elements. A preload element may exert a preload force on at least one of the first and second sets of roller bearing elements. The preload element may be disposed on the drive pinion in an inboard direction from the yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Chinitz, Dale Eschenburg, Aniruddh P. Annigeri
  • Patent number: 10414272
    Abstract: A gear reduction apparatus includes a first gear set and a second gear set connected to a motor shaft, a clutch assembly located between the first gear set and the second gear set and being configured to occupy an engaged state and a disengaged state, wherein the engaged state enables torque transmission from the first rotatable shaft to the second rotatable shaft, and the disengaged state disables torque transmission from the first rotatable shaft to the second rotatable shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Michael L. Bennett
  • Patent number: 10408336
    Abstract: A differential case has no hole other than two oil holes except for a pinion shaft hole and a pair of drive shaft holes and has an annular receiver attached thereto that has an inner periphery smaller than the outer periphery of side gear washers with respect to the rotation center of the rotation axis of drive shafts and that has an outer periphery located beyond the outermost edge of the oil holes with respect to the rotation center of the rotation axis. This controls the outflow of lubricating oil located radially outward of the inner periphery of the receiver, thus allowing the side gear washers to be supplied with lubricating oil, regardless of whether the differential case is rotating or stops rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kaoru Nadayoshi, Nobutada Sugiura, Seiya Ozawa
  • Patent number: 10179477
    Abstract: An axle assembly having a support bearing assembly. The support bearing assembly may be mounted to a differential carrier and may engage a back side of a ring gear. The support bearing assembly may rotatably support the ring gear and may inhibit deflection of the ring gear away from a drive pinion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Dale Eschenburg, Steven Chinitz
  • Patent number: 10094461
    Abstract: A transmission assembly for an electric drive for a motor vehicle comprises a first transmission unit having a drive gear and a driven gear; a second transmission unit which is drivingly connected to the first transmission unit and which features a transmission speed reduction ratio i2; a third transmission unit which is drivingly connected to the second transmission unit and which transmits an introduced torque from an input part to two output parts; wherein the second transmission unit comprises a planetary gearing with a planetary gear, a planetary carrier, a first sun gear and a second sun gear, wherein the planetary gear engages the first sun gear and the second sun gear, wherein the first sun gear is at least rotatably supportable relative to a stationary component and wherein the second sun gear is drivingly connected to the input part of the third transmission unit. An electric drive assembly can have such a transmission assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Ltd.
    Inventor: Theodor Gassmann
  • Patent number: 10066721
    Abstract: A final drive device includes a housing and a final drive gear mechanism. The final drive gear mechanism is provided in the housing, and comprises a drive pinion and a ring gear meshed with the drive pinion and a differential gear mechanism. The differential gear mechanism includes a pinion rotatably supported by a pinion mate shaft, and a pair of side gears meshed with the pinion from both sides in an axle direction. The final drive device has a pinion carrier that is rotated in a direction around the axle integrally with the pinion mate shaft supporting the pinion, and which is secured to the ring gear. The pinion carrier is provided with a pinion housing unit that houses the pinion while permitting the pinion to rotate around its own axis. The side gears are fixedly located relative to the housing while being permitted to rotate around their own axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsumitsu Tanaka, Jitsuyuki Endou, Kenichi Sonowa, Mitsuo Yokozawa, Kazuhiro Takaki, Teppei Maki, Masakatsu Koide
  • Patent number: 9982770
    Abstract: A transmission oil feeder for a motor vehicle includes an input member defining a rotating shaft. An output member defines a rotating shaft. A gearing arrangement connects the input member to the output member. An oil feeder tube is disposed within a central bore of at least one of the input member or the output member. The oil feeder tube is in communication with a supply of lubricating oil. Multiple apertures are created through a wall of the oil feeder tube at a bottom of the oil feeder tube enhancing gravity flow of the lubricating oil out of the apertures. The apertures are individually prepositioned proximate to one of multiple gear sets of the gearing arrangement. Each of the apertures of the oil feeder tube deliver a portion of the supply of lubricating oil to the one of the multiple gear sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Mohammad Galab
  • Patent number: 9895971
    Abstract: An AWD driveline includes first and second sleeves. The first sleeve is axially translatable between first, second, and third positions; the second sleeve is coupled for translation therewith. When the first sleeve is in the first position, the first sleeve couples an input of a differential to an intermediate member, and the second sleeve is rotatable relative to the first sleeve and couples first and second outputs members. The first output member can be an output of the differential. In the second position, the first sleeve is rotatable relative to the input or the intermediate member, and the second sleeve is rotatable relative to the first sleeve and couples the first and second output members. In the third position, the first sleeve is rotatable relative to the input or the intermediate member, and the second sleeve is rotatable relative to the first sleeve and the first or second output members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Kincaid, Thomas Paluch, Ryan Baeder
  • Patent number: 9816568
    Abstract: A disconnect clutch includes a wedge carrier, a wedge plate, an inner hub and a latching diaphragm spring. The wedge carrier has a pair of inwardly facing tapered rings. The wedge plate has a pair of outwardly facing tapered ring portions for mating engagement with the wedge carrier inwardly facing tapered rings, a plurality of inner ramp portions with respective tapered inner surfaces, and a radially flexible middle portion connecting the outwardly tapered ring portions and plurality of inner ramp portions. The inner hub has a plurality of outer ramp portions with tapered outer surfaces for engagement with the plurality of wedge plate ramp portion tapered inner surfaces. The latching diaphragm spring is for displacing the inner hub relative to the wedge carrier to radially expand the wedge plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Brian Lee, Justin Bitar, Bobby Hinson
  • Patent number: 9625026
    Abstract: A locking differential assembly includes a differential case defining an axis of rotation and a gear chamber. A first side gear is at a first end of the differential case. A second side gear is at a second end of the differential case opposite the first end for selectable rotation relative to the differential case. At least two pinion gears are rotatably supported in the gear chamber in meshing engagement with the first side gear and the second side gear. A solenoid is at the first end. A plunger is selectably magnetically actuatable by the solenoid. A lock ring is selectably engagable with the second side gear to selectably prevent the side gear from rotating relative to the differential case. At least two relay rods are each connected to the plunger and to the lock ring to cause the lock ring to remain a fixed predetermined distance from the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Cochren, Daniel Stanley Frazier, Chad Robert Hillman, John Kimmel Vandervoort
  • Patent number: 9388893
    Abstract: A housing of a vehicle differential, such as an automotive driveline differential, supports one or more gearsets in assembly. A wall of the housing has one or more windows that provide access to the gearset(s). One or more protuberances are situated at an exterior surface of the wall and near the window(s). The protuberance(s) provide a thickened portion in the wall to strengthen and reinforce the wall against stresses experienced during use of the vehicle differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: GKN DRIVELINE NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: John Eckart, David E. Gall, Kevin J. Kaplan, Crittenden A. Bittick
  • Patent number: 9303754
    Abstract: The invention relates to a clutch assembly of a motor vehicle, in particular to a clutch-controlled differential unit, having a switchable clutch device which can transmit the drive power from a drive element which is at the drive input side in relation to the clutch device to a drive element which is at the drive output side in relation to the clutch device, wherein an oil delivery device is provided for the oil lubrication of the clutch, which oil delivery device, in an operating-state-dependent manner, delivers oil of an oil circuit which serves the clutch device. The clutch assembly is mounted in a housing which forms a clutch chamber for the clutch device. In order to permit rapid deoiling of the clutch chamber in situations in which the clutch device is opened, a deoiling device is provided which actively deoils the clutch chamber when the deoiling unit is not imparting a delivery action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: GKN Driveline Koping AB
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Nett, Jan Haupt
  • Publication number: 20150137586
    Abstract: A drive unit assembly including an input element, a first output element, a second output element and a drive unit housing containing a differential unit, the differential unit drivingly coupling the input element, the first output element and the second output element, the input element having input coupling features positioned externally of the drive unit housing, the first output element having output coupling features positioned externally of the drive unit housing, wherein the drive unit housing includes at least one mounting feature for securing the drive unit housing externally relative to an axle assembly and the second output element is suitable for driving an axle assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Marco BASSI, Roberto GIANONE, Eugenio TIZIANI
  • Patent number: 9022892
    Abstract: An axle assembly having a carrier housing, a pair of axle tubes, a differential case, a pair of differential bearings and a pair of bearing adjusters. The carrier housing includes a cavity, which is configured to receive the differential case, and a pair of axle tubes that are mounted to the carrier housing. The differential case includes bearing bores into which the outer races of the differential bearings are received. The bearing adjusters are threaded to the carrier housing and support the differential bearings on a side opposite the differential case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Marsh, Jr., Matthew T. Blakeman
  • Patent number: 9017210
    Abstract: A drive device for road wheels of a vehicle includes: a stationary housing; a rotatably drivable differential housing with an axle differential gear unit, the differential housing being rotatably mounted in the stationary housing by differential bearings; at least one driveshaft rotatably drivable by the rotatably drivable differential housing; at least one driving gear wheel associated with and arranged on the at least one driveshaft, so as to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to the at least one driveshaft; and at least one driven gear wheel, the at least one driving gear wheel meshingly engaging, by oppositely directed helical teeth, with the at least one driven gear wheel to drive the road wheels of the vehicle and generate axial forces directed toward the center of the axle differential gear unit, and having at least one thrust bearing arrangement configured to support the axial forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Horst Sigl, Paul Lenz, Peter Haselberger, Rudolf Neumüller, Klaus Alesch, Alexander Enderl
  • Publication number: 20150111685
    Abstract: The invention relates to a planetary gearbox comprising at least one sun gear (17, 18) and at least one planet carrier (5) arranged coaxially with and rotatably in relation to said gear, a combination of a bearing sleeve (40) and a slide ring (41) that is separate therefrom being located between the sun gear (17, 18) and the planet carrier (5). The invention also relates to a gearbox combination of a differential of the spur-gear differential type, in the form of which the planetary gearbox is configured, and an additional planetary stage, the spur-gear differential and the planetary stage preferably having a common planet carrier (5) composed of multiple planet sub-carriers (6, 7, 8) that are non-rotatably combined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Thorsten Biermann, Harald Martini, Inaki Fernandez
  • Publication number: 20150096822
    Abstract: A differential mechanism regulating device which is mechanically connected to two manipulators is miniaturized. When a first cable and a second cable are pulled, a collecting member moves its position. As a result of this movement, the collecting member tilts a portion of an arm by way of a rod. As a result, a differential lock is released. The operation of the first cable and the operation of the second cable can be merged by the collecting member, and it is sufficient to connect only a collecting transmission member to the arm. The connection between the arm and the collecting transmission member can be simplified thus realizing the miniaturization of the differential mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Sato, Koshi Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 8992365
    Abstract: A drive system includes a differential for transmitting power between a power source and first axles; a clutch including a first member driveably connected to the power source and a second member secured to a power transfer shaft; and a servo including a cylinder connected to a pressure source, a piston displaceable in the cylinder for mutually disconnecting the first and second members and allowing mutual engagement of the first and second members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andreas E. Perakes, Matthew D. Hammond, Laurence A. Deutsch, Steven A. Frait
  • Publication number: 20150087465
    Abstract: A differential control system for a motor vehicle such as a truck including at least one differential includes at least one differential lock which is able to operate the differential into at least a locked or an unlocked state, a controller that controls the differential lock, a manually operable control member freely rotating bidirectionally around at least one axis, an encoder connected to the control member to convert a rotation of the control member into a signal fed to the controller which controls the differential lock in order to operate the differential into a locked or an unlocked state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: RENAULT TRUCKS
    Inventors: François Longueville, Philippe Crave
  • Patent number: 8974341
    Abstract: A drive device having at least one electric machine, a gearbox, a differential which can be driven by the electric machine by means of the gearbox, at least one torque-fixed first operative connection between a first drive shaft of the electric machine and the gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Tomas Smetana, Philip Wurzberger
  • Patent number: 8961354
    Abstract: An infinitely variable speed amplifier comprising a continuously variable unit (“variator”), two differential gear trains, and four shafts. Two of the shafts connect to opposite ends of the variator and to two connections of each differential gear train, respectively. The third connections of the first and second differential gear trains are connected to the input and output shafts respectively. Ratios and other parameters are chosen so that an acceptable range of transmission speeds can be achieved without the use of clutches while also minimizing the power crossing the variator. Furthermore, this invention includes a variant that is a compound infinitely variable speed amplifier that provides a wider performance range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Inventor: William Robert Brown
  • Patent number: 8951159
    Abstract: A differential gear mechanism constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure can include a differential case, a clutch pack and a plurality of lock pins. The differential case can include a first differential case portion that defines a first output shaft opening and includes a plurality of clutch ear guides and a plurality of lock pin engaging surfaces. The clutch pack can include a plurality of annular plates that are interleaved between a plurality of annular friction disks. At least one of the annular plates and annular friction disks can include a plurality of radially extending plate ears that are received by the corresponding plurality of clutch ear guides. The plurality of lock pins can be received by the plurality of first lock pin engaging surfaces of the first differential case at locations in-line with the clutch ear guides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew G. Fox, Jeffrey A. Oesch
  • Patent number: 8920279
    Abstract: A differential case assembly, which has a case shoulder and a case outside diameter, is attached to a drive ring gear, which has a gear shoulder and a gear inside diameter. Attachment of the differential case assembly to the drive ring gear is by way of pressing the case outside diameter into intimate contact with the drive ring gear inside diameter around the circumference of the diameters, until the case shoulder comes into intimate mating contact with the gear shoulder, at a joint radius. In addition, hardened dowel pins are tightly fit into joint voids that are formed along the joint radius. The hardened dowel pins are capable of supporting an operational torsional load and the mating shoulders are capable of supporting an operational axial load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventor: Charles S. Roscoe
  • Publication number: 20140378263
    Abstract: A differential assembly having a clutch collar actuator mechanism. The clutch collar actuator mechanism includes an actuator and a fork that may pivot about a pivot axis to actuate a clutch collar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Brian D. Hayes, Robert J. Martin, Todd R. Ekonen
  • Publication number: 20140371020
    Abstract: A torque coupling unit for use with a differential assembly is provided. The torque coupling unit comprises a first member, a second member, a clutching assembly, and a clutch actuator. The first member is in driving engagement with a side gear of the differential assembly. The second member is in driving engagement with an output shaft. The clutch actuator assembly is disposed adjacent the clutching assembly and comprises a roller and ramp assembly. In response to a rotation of a portion of the clutch actuator assembly a portion of the roller and ramp assembly is driven in an axial manner to apply a force to the clutching assembly, causing a first portion of the clutching assembly to be at least variably frictionally engaged with a second portion of the clutching assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Cooper, Seth A. Metzger
  • Publication number: 20140329634
    Abstract: A planetary gear (1) with a differential gear, a planet carrier (4) to which at least one planetary gear (7) is rotatably connected with at least one sun wheel (8, 9) that is at least in meshing operative engagement with one planetary gear, whereby the planetary carrier (4) is supported by at least one bearing (11) axially and/or radially in a housing (12), whereby a first raceway (15) of the bearing (11) is formed on a housing-fixed member and a second raceway (17) of the bearing (11) is formed on a planetary carrier-fixed member, whereby a support pot (18) encompasses the said bearing (11) radially at least partially on the outside, wherein the support pot (18) is supported on a radially outer side (24) of the planet carrier (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Thorsten Biermann, Harald Martini
  • Patent number: 8876649
    Abstract: Assuming that a direction in which a first member and a second member are arranged is a first direction and a direction orthogonal to the first direction is a second direction, a welding structure includes: a pressure fit portion; a first cavity; a second cavity; a first weld bead formed between the first cavity and an end of a joining part of the first member and the second member on one side in the second direction by welding the first member and second member while the second cavity is communicated with outside; a second weld bead formed between the second cavity and an end of the joining part on the other side in the second direction; and a cutout groove communicating between the first cavity and the second cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keisuke Uchida, Shingo Iwatani, Go Kuramoto, Jun Kamitake, Shuhei Yamaguchi, Takahito Endo, Shotaro Kato
  • Publication number: 20140315677
    Abstract: A compact planetary differential gear set includes first (130A) and second (130B) sun gears, a first set (200A) and a second set (200B) of planet gears (220), and a carrier (160) with a ring gear (190). Enmeshing gear pairs (210) are formed from one planet gear from each set. The first and second planet gear sets enmesh the first and second sun gears, respectively. The ring gear does not extend into an annular region containing the planet gears thereby allowing four or more gear pairs to compactly fit into the annular region. The carrier is a weldment and substantially encloses the sun gears and the planet gears permanently. The differential requires no fasteners or post-weld machining and may have a higher capacity, lower cost, smaller size, lower part number count, and/or lower amounts of material compared with conventional differentials. The differential is suited for motor vehicle applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Andrew N. Edler
  • Publication number: 20140309072
    Abstract: A differential gear having a gear housing, an epicyclic gear housing, which is arranged in the gear housing in a manner allowing rotation about a gear axis, a drive wheel which sits on the epicyclic gear housing for the purpose of driving the epicyclic gear housing, a first bearing device for the purpose of mounting a first axial end region of the epicyclic gear housing radially, and a second bearing device for the purpose of mounting a second axial end region of the epicyclic gear housing radially, wherein the second bearing device has a first and a second roller element crown which bear axially in opposite directions, and the axial position of the epicyclic gear housing with respect to the gear housing is determined by the second bearing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ralph Schimpf, Thorsten Biermann
  • Publication number: 20140309073
    Abstract: A planetary gear (1) of a differential gear, with a planetary carrier (3) to which planetary wheels (11) are rotatably connected and which are in meshing operative contact with at least one sun wheel (6, 7), whereby the planetary carrier (3) is connected to a driving wheel, further comprising a roller bearing (14) that is provided with two bearing rings (16, 17), a bearing inner ring (16, 29) and a bearing outer ring (17, 28) for axial and/or radial position determination of the planetary carrier relative to a fixed housing, wherein a cover is positioned radially between the planetary carrier (3) and the sun wheel (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Harald Martini, Inaki Fernandez
  • Publication number: 20140302960
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft, a device, a fastener, and an anti-rotation clip. The shaft is configured for rotation. The device is mounted on, and surrounds at least a portion of, the shaft, and has first and second protrusions that are formed on one side and are spaced apart to define a tab space. The fastener is rotationally mounted relative to the shaft, and includes a tab slot formed in its outer surface that extends radially inwardly and is disposed radially inwardly of the tab space. The anti-rotation clip includes a main body portion and a head portion that has a first tab portion and a second tab portion. At least a portion the main body portion is disposed between the device and the fastener, the first tab is disposed in the tab space, and the second tab is disposed in the tab slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Timm E. Hartman, Casey Hanlon, Mitchell Laidlaw, Kellan Geck
  • Publication number: 20140296019
    Abstract: A miniaturized differential mechanism restricting device that is mechanically connected to two operation elements. A plurality of holes are formed in an output-side cam, and pin holes are formed in a differential case in a penetrating manner such that the pin holes overlap with the plurality of holes. A plurality of first pins, which pass through the pin holes in a penetrating manner and are fitted in the holes, extend from a first slide member, and a plurality of second pins, which pass through the pin holes in a penetrating manner and are fitted in the holes, extend from a second slide member. The first slide member is moved in the axial direction by a first shift fork, and the second slide member is moved in the axial direction by a second shift fork.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Sato, Koshi Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 8845475
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a connecting assembly, more particularly for being used in the driveline of a motor vehicle. The connecting assembly comprises a housing and a driving gear. The housing comprises a first housing part with a first flange portion and a second housing part with a second flange portion. The driving gear comprises a receiving portion for receiving the housing and a supporting face which laterally delimits the receiving portion, wherein the first flange portion of the first housing part is axially arranged between the supporting face of the driving gear and the second flange portion of the second housing part, and wherein the second flange portion is welded to the driving gear. A method of producing a connecting assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Nikolaus Mayr, Ernst Mairhofer, Oliver Roth, Kurt Müller, Jürgen Wörner
  • Patent number: 8840514
    Abstract: A bi-directional overrunning clutch assembly for engaging secondary driven shafts in a four wheel drive vehicle. The assembly includes a differential housing with a pinion input gear rotatably disposed within it that is engaged to a drive shaft. A bi-directional overrunning clutch housing is engaged to the pinion gear. A roll cage assembly is located inside the clutch housing. A pair of hubs are positioned within the roll cage assembly and connected to the secondary driven shafts. An electromagnetic system controls indexes the roll cage in a first direction relative to the clutch housing a first indexing device for coupling the secondary drive shaft to the secondary driven axles when four wheel drive is needed, and in an opposite direction using a second indexing device when an engine braking condition is needed. A spring assembly is preferably used to bias the roll cage back to a neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: The Hilliard Corporation
    Inventors: Howard J. Knickerbocker, David C. Ochab, Mathew Cowen
  • Publication number: 20140274562
    Abstract: A damper device is provided between an engine and a transmission and has a torque distribution mechanism that is provided with a first input element connected to the engine, a second input element connected to the engine via a first elastic member, a first output element connected to transmission, and a second output element connected to the transmission via a second elastic member. The damper device further has a first clutch that is provided between the first output element and the transmission and that is switched between an engaged state of connecting the first output element to the transmission and a released state of disconnecting the first output element from the transmission, and a second clutch that is provided between the second output element and the transmission and that is switched between an engaged state of connecting the second output element to the transmission and a released state of disconnecting the second output element from the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuyuki UKON, Mamoru MURAKAMI, Yuuki SUZUKI, Tsuyoshi SHINOHARA
  • Publication number: 20140274524
    Abstract: A damper device is disposed between an engine and a transmission. The damper device includes a differential mechanism. The differential mechanism includes a first input element connected to the engine, a second input element connected to the engine, and an outputting element connected to the transmission. The damper device also includes a first spring disposed between the engine and the first input element, an inertia member disposed between the first spring and the first input element, and a second spring disposed between the transmission and the outputting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mamoru MURAKAMI
  • Publication number: 20140243140
    Abstract: An axle assembly with a banjo beam and a coverpan. The banjo beam has an upper and lower beam members that are welded together to define a central carrier portion and a pair of tubes. The upper beam member has a pair of upper spring seats that are disposed on opposite sides of the central carrier portion. The lower beam member has a pair of lower spring seats that are disposed on opposite sides of the central carrier portion. The coverpan includes a weld flange and a cover portion. The weld flange is welded to the central carrier portion via a fillet weld to close a first aperture formed in the central carrier portion. The cover portion includes a wall member into which a pair of strengthening protrusions are formed. The strengthening protrusions are disposed on opposite lateral sides of a centerline of the central carrier portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventors: Vijay M. Khatavkar, Abhijit V. Nilangekar, Mohan R. Sutar
  • Patent number: 8814742
    Abstract: A welded structure and welding method make it possible to improve welding strength and welding quality. A welded structure in which a first member and a second member are joined by welding, wherein the first member comprises a second-member joining part which is joined to the second member, and the second member comprises a first-member joining part which is joined to the first member. If the direction in which the first member and the second member are arranged is the first direction, and the direction intersecting the first direction is the second direction, the welded structure comprises a cavity part which is provided between the first-member joining part and the second-member joining part, and a welded part which is provided between the cavity part and both end parts in the second direction of the joining surface where the first-member joining part and the second-member joining part are joined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keisuke Uchida, Shingo Iwatani, Takahito Endo, Go Kuramoto, Jun Kamitake, Hirokazu Tsunekawa
  • Publication number: 20140213406
    Abstract: A rear drive module for an all-wheel drive vehicle. The rear drive module includes a disconnect clutch, a differential assembly and a hollow shaft. The disconnect clutch has a first clutch member, which is coupled to the spool for rotation therewith, and a second clutch member. The differential assembly includes a differential case. The hollow shaft is coupled to the differential case for rotation therewith and is configured to transmit rotary power in a power path between the disconnect clutch and the differential assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente
  • Publication number: 20140213407
    Abstract: A mounting system for a differential, comprising a cross shaft, a first stub shaft, a second stub shaft, and a yoke. The cross shaft comprises a long axis and a passageway through the cross shaft perpendicular to the long axis, the passageway comprising a first hole and a second hole. The first stub shaft comprises a long axis parallel to a central axis of the first hole. The second stub shaft comprises a long axis parallel to a central axis of the second hole. The yoke is in the passageway and comprises a first portion extending in to the first stub shaft and a second portion extending in to the second stub shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Daniel Philip Fisher
  • Publication number: 20140206490
    Abstract: A drive device for the road wheels of a vehicle includes a stationary housing in which a rotatably drivable differential housing having an axle differential gear unit is rotatably mounted by differential bearings, at least one driveshaft being rotatably drivable by the differential housing. At least one driving gear wheel is arranged on the at least one driveshaft so as to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to the latter. The at least one driving gear wheel meshingly engage by oppositely directed helical teeth with at least one driven gear wheel for driving road wheels of the vehicle and generating axial forces directed toward the center of the axle differential gear unit. At least one thrust bearing arrangement for supporting these axial forces is in turn supported at a structural component part of the drive device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: Horst SIGL, Paul Lenz, Peter Haselberger, Rudolf Neumüller, Klaus Alesch, Alexander Enderl
  • Publication number: 20140206491
    Abstract: A drive device for road wheels of a vehicle includes: a stationary housing; a rotatably drivable differential housing with an axle differential gear unit, the differential housing being rotatably mounted in the stationary housing by differential bearings; at least one driveshaft rotatably drivable by the rotatably drivable differential housing; at least one driving gear wheel associated with and arranged on the at least one driveshaft, so as to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to the at least one driveshaft; and at least one driven gear wheel, the at least one driving gear wheel meshingly engaging, by oppositely directed helical teeth, with the at least one driven gear wheel to drive the road wheels of the vehicle and generate axial forces directed toward the center of the axle differential gear unit, and having at least one thrust bearing arrangement configured to support the axial forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: Horst Sigl, Paul Lenz, Peter Haselberger, Rudolf Neumüller, Klaus Alesch, Alexander Enderl
  • Publication number: 20140206489
    Abstract: A drive device for road wheels of a vehicle includes: a stationary housing; a rotatably drivable differential housing with an axle differential gear unit, the differential housing being rotatably mounted in the stationary housing by differential bearings; at least one driveshaft rotatably drivable by the rotatably drivable differential housing; at least one driving gear wheel associated with and arranged on the at least one driveshaft, so as to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to the at least one driveshaft; and at least one driven gear wheel, the at least one driving gear wheel meshingly engaging, by oppositely directed helical teeth, with the at least one driven gear wheel to drive the road wheels of the vehicle and generate axial forces directed toward the center of the axle differential gear unit, and having at least one thrust bearing arrangement configured to support the axial forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: Horst SIGL, Paul LENZ, Peter HASELBERGER, Rudolf NEUMÜLLER, Klaus ALESCH, Alexander ENDERL
  • Patent number: 8771140
    Abstract: An electronic traction optimization system includes a control unit adapted to produce a corner speed estimate signal for each wheel of a machine, produce an ideal target speed signal for each wheel having a value at least partially responsive to the corner speed estimate signals, produces a practical target speed signal for each wheel, generates an actual target speed signal having a value responsive to a comparison of the ideal target speed signal and the practical target speed signal for each wheel. The control unit compares each actual target speed signal to an associated wheel speed signal to obtain a wheel speed error signal for each wheel and converts each wheel speed error signal to a clutch control signal, wherein each differential clutch actuator is responsive to an associated clutch control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gerry O. McCann, Yun Liu, Keith F. Harvey