Bevel Gear Differential Patents (Class 475/230)
  • Patent number: 8113979
    Abstract: A differential having four pinions supported for rotation on cross pins within a differential case. The differential employs a retainer system for securing the cross pins relative to the differential case. The retainer system can include a collar and a plurality of pin members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Heather A. Moore, Joseph S. Balenda, II
  • Publication number: 20120028750
    Abstract: A differential gear is structured such that a first differential case and a second differential case overlap one another in the radial direction such that a first joining portion of the first differential case, i.e., a portion of an outward flange that is on the outer peripheral side of a through-hole, is positioned on the outer peripheral side of a second joining portion of the second differential case, i.e., a joining protrusion that is inserted in the through-hole. In addition, the ring gear is arranged facing those joining portions in the direction of the axis, and laser beam welded from the outer peripheral side at the portion where the ring gear faces both of those joining portions. Accordingly, the three members, i.e., the first differential case, the second differential case, and the ring gear, are all integrally joined together by a single welding operation, and manufacturing costs can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Norihiro Mizoguchi
  • Publication number: 20120015775
    Abstract: A differential assembly according to the invention and indicated generally by the reference numeral comprises a differential housing containing a spider on which are rotatably mounted a number of planet bevel gears which rotatably engage the bevel gears which are spline mounted on the output shafts. The output shafts are connected via articulating joints to propshafts that are driveably connected to the road wheels of the vehicle. The vehicle engine drives a propshaft by means of various gear mechanisms. This propshaft is connected to the differential assembly input shaft by means of a coupling on the input shaft so as to transmit torque to the differential assembly by means of a pinion gear on the input shaft. The pinion gear meshes with a crown wheel bevel gear which is mounted on the differential housing so as to transmit the engine torque to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventor: JOHN NOLAN
  • Patent number: 8092335
    Abstract: A differential (1) for a vehicle includes a differential case (2), side gears (5L, 5R) rotatably accommodated in the differential case (2), pinion gears (3, 4) engaged with the side gears (5L, 5R), and pinion gear shaft (50) inserted through the pinion gears (3, 4) to be supported by the differential case (2), in which the differential case (2) has pinion gear supporting portions (10, 11) for rotatably supporting the pinion gears (3, 4), respectively, the pinion gear shaft (50) has pinion gear supporting surfaces (50A, 50B) for rotatably supporting the pinion gears (3, 4), respectively, and the pinion gear supporting surfaces (50A, 50B) are disposed on a side of an axis line of rotation of the differential case (2) with respect to the pinion gear supporting portions (10, 11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Jtekt Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Suzuki, Shinichiro Nakajima, Hiroshi Takuno
  • Patent number: 8083628
    Abstract: A differential carrier assembly for use in an axle of a vehicle includes a differential carrier that extends along a central axis. The differential carrier defines a chamber. A first stub shaft extends along a first rotational axis, transverse to the central axis. The first stub shaft is disposed within the chamber and is supported by the differential carrier. A first pair of gears is disposed in spaced relationship on the first stub shaft for rotation about the first rotational axis. A second stub shaft extends along a second rotational axis, transverse to the central axis and the first rotational axis. The second stub shaft is disposed within the chamber and supported by the differential carrier. A second pair of gears is disposed in spaced relationship on the second stub shaft for rotation about the second rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Zinovy Soybel, William J. Duncan, Jr., Martin Hefter, Alvan J. Callahan, Richard F. Olenzek
  • Patent number: 8079929
    Abstract: A differential for a model car includes a housing having a chamber, four notches recessed in a periphery of the chamber and each having a trapezoid section, four blocks received in the notches respectively, a spider having four ends connected with the blocks respectively, four first bevel gears respectively sleeved on the ends of the spider, two second bevel gears received in the chamber and engaged with the first bevel gears respectively, a main gear sleeved on the housing, and two output shafts respectively passing through the main gear and the housing to be connected with the second bevel gears. Thus, the first bevel gears and the second bevel gears can be tightly engaged with each other by means of the arrangement of the spider and the blocks to eliminate the power loss of the model car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Topway Model Research Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun-Min Yeh
  • Patent number: 8070640
    Abstract: A fluctuating gear ratio limited slip differential assembly is provided that includes a differential case and a pair of side gears disposed within the differential case. Each of the side gears may have a tooth with a first tooth flank. The differential assembly may further include a pinion shaft disposed within the differential case and a plurality of pinions supported by the pinion shaft. The pinions may be configured for engagement with the pair of side gears and each of the pinions may have a tooth with a second tooth flank. The first and second tooth flanks are configured to cause movement of the plane of action defining all contact points between the first tooth flank of the side gears and the second tooth flank of the pinions in a predetermined and/or controlled manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen P. Radzevich
  • Patent number: 8052564
    Abstract: A differential gear unit has a pinion gear that can spin as well as revolve, a differential case that has a pinion retaining portion that supports the pinion gear, and a pair of side gears that mesh with the pinion gear. Frictional force generated at a portion where the pinion gear contacts the pinion retaining portion when the rotation speed of one side gear is faster than the rotation speed of the other side gear is different from the frictional force generated between the pinion gear and the pinion retaining portion when the rotation speed of the one side gear is slower than the rotation speed of the other side gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenichiro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8047946
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a differential case for a vehicle and a differential device for a vehicle restricting change and movement of an intermeshing of a pair of side gears and a pair of pinion gears to achieve stable differential restriction force. The differential case or the differential device for the vehicle comprises a case body 50 accommodating a pair of side gears 5R, 5L and a pinion gear 3 or 4 engaging in mesh with the side gears 5R, 5L, and a pinion gear supporter 53 accommodated in said case body 50 and having a pinion gear supporting portion 56 or 57 to install said pinion gear 3 or 4 in recess space 60, 61 of said pinion gear supporter 53 and to support slidably an outer peripheral surface of said pinion gear 3 or 4 for rotation of said pinion gear 3 or 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichiro Nakajima, Hiroshi Takuno
  • Patent number: 8043188
    Abstract: A ring gear has a plurality of spaced apart recess on an internal surface for receiving a plurality of side pinions within the recesses. The side pinions are driven directly by the ring gear without a differential spider or differential pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventor: James F. Ziech
  • Publication number: 20110251012
    Abstract: The invention relates to differential drives for driving axles and wheels of transport means. The differential includes output shafts, which are kinematically interconnected by at least one differential pinion. The differential pinion is connected to the differential's housing by means of at least one intermediate member, which rotates freely in the housing coaxially to the geometrical axis of the differential pinion, and—conjugated surface zones of the differential pinion and the intermediate member, which zones are offset relative to the geometrical axis of the differential pinion. The conjugated surface zones may have different configurations. The invention makes it possible to simplify the design of a self-locking differential and to significantly increase the range of the blocking effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Viktor Mihailovich Kuzevanov, Gai Viktorovich Kuzevanov
  • Publication number: 20110245011
    Abstract: A vibration damping device is equipped with a mass body disposed spaced apart from a rotational center axis of a rotary shaft by a certain distance, and a rolling bearing that rotatably supports the mass body with respect to the rotary shaft and holds a support posture of the mass body with respect to the rotational center axis of the rotary shaft constant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takahiro Mochihara
  • Patent number: 7976422
    Abstract: A differential assembly includes a retainer for a cross pin having a bore aligned with a bore formed in a differential housing. The cross pin retainer is positionable at partially-inserted and fully-inserted positions within the cross pin and differential bores. At a first rotational orientation, the cross pin retainer is positionable in its partially-inserted position to temporarily retain the cross pin within the differential housing. At a second rotational orientation, the cross pin retainer is positionable in its fully-inserted position to retain the cross pin within the differential housing. Features of the cross pin retainer cooperate with surfaces formed in the differential housing to allow the cross pin retainer to be fixedly positioned and secured within the differential housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel G. Corless
  • Patent number: 7976421
    Abstract: A differential gear 1 for a vehicle comprises a differential case 2 having a pair of holes 9R, 9L for drive shafts, a pair of pinion gears 3, 4 supported by pinion gear supporters 10, 11 and a pair of side gears 5R, 5L engaging with the pinion gears 3, 4. A pair of thrust washers 6R, 6L is interposed between the backs of the side gears 5R, 5L and the inner peripheries of the holes 9R, 9L without radial movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichiro Nakajima, Masashi Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20110152028
    Abstract: A differential having four pinions supported for rotation on cross pins within a differential case. The differential employs a retainer system for securing the cross pins relative to the differential case. The retainer system can include a collar and a plurality of pin members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Heather A. Moore, Joseph S. Balenda, II
  • Publication number: 20110143879
    Abstract: An axle assembly comprising a differential provided with a drive wheel comprising two pairs of bevel gears disposed in a two-part housing, one of the pairs of bevel gears being a pair of axle bevel gears and the other pair of bevel gears being a pair of compensating bevel gears.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: Neumayer Tekfor Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred VOGEL, Volker Szentmihalyi, Matthias Derse
  • Patent number: 7955212
    Abstract: Mass portions of torsional dampers are annular surrounding corresponding elastic portions. The mass portion of the torsional damper has a first inclined face formed such that the elastic portion deforms in a sheared manner as the mass portion rotates in a rotational direction with respect to a companion flange and the elastic portion partially deforms in a compressed manner as the mass portion rotates in a direction other than the rotational direction. The mass portion of the torsional damper has second inclined faces formed such that the elastic portion deforms in a sheared manner as the mass portion rotates in the direction of the rotational axis of the companion flange and the elastic portion partially deforms in a compressed manner as the mass portion rotates in a direction other than the direction of the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takahiro Mochihara
  • Patent number: 7955211
    Abstract: A drive axle assembly has at least one axle arm portion extending from a differential housing to a shoulder structure that is unitary with the outboard end of the axle arm portion. The shoulder structure houses a first bevel bear and a second bevel gear. Openings adjacent the bevel gears are selectively closed with covers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Okamuro, Robert Joeseph Brazeau, Pratish Prabhakar Malushte
  • Patent number: 7951037
    Abstract: A differential having four pinions supported for rotation on cross pins within a differential case. The differential employs a retainer system for securing the cross pins relative to the differential case. The retainer system can include a retainer, such as a clip or a pair of roll pins, that can secure at least one of the cross pins in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Sudorowski, Heather A. Moore, Joseph S. Balenda, II
  • Patent number: 7946946
    Abstract: A preloaded differential includes may take the form of a hold-out ring type locking differential having a preloaded thrust assembly that may be insertable in the differential as a one-piece unit. The preloaded thrust assembly includes a pair of thrust members each having complimentarily shaped protruding and recessed portions that interlock after assembly to prevent rotation of the thrust members relative to one another. Further, one or more conical, disc-shaped springs may be located between the thrust members to bias the thrust members directly against side gears positioned within the differential to reduce or prevent radial movement of the side gears. In one embodiment, the thrust members include a friction and thrust contact surface that directly contacts the side gears and the springs are located within a region formed by the interlocking features of the thrust members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Randy's Ring & Pinion
    Inventor: Carl Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20110065544
    Abstract: A power transmission device includes a housing, a rotatable input member and a rotatable output member supported in the housing by a pair of bearings. A friction clutch is operable to selectively transmit a requested magnitude of torque between the input member and the output member. The clutch is axially positioned between the bearings. An actuator is operable to provide an actuation force to the friction clutch to generate the requested magnitude of torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Stuart J. Millar
  • Publication number: 20110059822
    Abstract: A differential assembly, bevel gears for the assembly, and a method of making the bevel gears are disclosed. The bevel gears have a form which provides for high power density transfer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventors: Timothy E. Geiman, Alfred J. Chiesa, Henry J. Knott, David E. Lenhart
  • Patent number: 7901318
    Abstract: A differential having four pinions supported for rotation on cross pins within a differential case. The differential employs a retainer system for securing the cross pins relative to the differential case. The retainer system can include a collar and a plurality of pin members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James P Downs, Heather A Moore, Joseph S Balenda, II
  • Publication number: 20110053727
    Abstract: A planetary gear transmission mechanism includes an input shaft, an input bevel gear connecting to the input shaft, four planetary bevel gears meshed with the input bevel gear, an output gear driven by the planetary bevel gears, a stationary bevel gear meshed with the planetary bevel gears, and four bearing modules. The output gear evenly defines four through holes along one axis. Each planetary bevel gear is received in one through hole and rotatably connected to the output gear. The rotation axis of each planetary bevel gear is substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis of the output gear. The stationary bevel gear meshes with the planetary bevel gears. The input bevel gear and the stationary bevel gear are positioned on opposite sides of the output gear respectively. The bearing modules are received in the through holes respectively, and each bearing module rotatably supports one planetary bevel gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY(ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO.,LTD.
    Inventors: GUO-QING ZHANG, XIAO-MING XU
  • Patent number: 7878937
    Abstract: A differential and axle assembly for an automotive vehicle driveline is disclosed. The assembly includes a differential drive pinion and a drive pinion shaft, the drive pinion shaft being splined to a drive pinion shaft flange. Axial and radial dimensional runout is minimized by spaced, front and rear pilot surfaces at axially spaced ends of the splines for the drive pinion shaft and the drive pinion flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Francis John Brasile, Ernest Besler, Sarvesh S. Agrawal, Jihong Guo
  • Publication number: 20110021305
    Abstract: A differential for use in a vehicle drive train including a gear case that is operatively supported in driven relationship with respect to the drive train and a spider mounted for rotation with the gear case. The spider includes at least one pair of cross pins. Each cross pin defines a longitudinal axis and an outer surface that is convex about an axis extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cross pin. Pinion gears include a central bore where the cross pins are received in the central bore of the pinion gears such that the gears are mounted for rotation with the spider and in meshing relationship with side gears with an increased degree of rotational freedom of the pinion gears about the convex surface of the cross pin. Alternatively, the central bore of the cross pin may have an inner surface that is convex along the axis of the central bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventor: Stephen P. Radzevich
  • Publication number: 20110017082
    Abstract: Print system, having two substrate roll supports for mounting substrate rolls, a drive assembly arranged to rotate substrate rolls, and a transmission arranged to transmit a torque from the drive assembly to the substrate roll supports so that during use the torque acting on each substrate roll is approximately equal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Raimon Castells, David Claramunt, Francisco Javier Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 7867126
    Abstract: A differential case for a vehicle and a differential device for a vehicle supplying sufficiently lubrication oil to a gear peripheral portion as a supported portion of a pinion gear in order to prevent a bonding of the gear peripheral portion of the pinion gear. The differential case or the differential device for the vehicle comprises a pair of pinion gear supporting portions (10, 11) supporting slidably a pair of pinion gears (3, 4), and a lubrication oil introducing portion (7, 8) provided around a peripheral portion of the pair of pinion gears (3, 4) to introduce lubrication oil into a clearance between sliding faces of the pair of pinion gears (3, 4) and pinion gear supporting faces (10a, 11a, 10b, 11b) of the pair of pinion gear supporting portions (10, 11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichiro Nakajima, Rei Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20100331134
    Abstract: An axle has a central crown wheel receiving portion with a pinion side and an opposite side. The opposite side is defined by a first crown wheel bowl for receiving a part of a crown wheel, the first crown wheel bowl having a peripheral edge. The axle includes a second crown wheel bowl for receiving the part of the crown wheel. The second crown wheel bowl is nested with the first crown wheel bowl and is attached to the first crown wheel bowl at a peripheral edge to define a reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Roberto Gianone, Chiara Cesari, Marco Bassi, Marco Fratelli, Stefano Martinello
  • Publication number: 20100317483
    Abstract: A gear set includes a first gear having at least one tooth with a first tooth profile. The first tooth profile may comprise a first segment comprising a first plurality of sections. At least one of the first plurality of sections may have a first profile angle, and at least one of the first plurality of sections may have a second profile angle. The first profile angle and the second profile angle may be different. A differential is also provided that includes a differential case, a pinion shaft disposed inside the differential case, and a pinion gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen P. Radzevich
  • Publication number: 20100292041
    Abstract: A tilting suspension system is adapted for use with a vehicle having three wheels and a frame. The system has two sets of control arms, each set of control arms being pivotally connected to one side of the frame. An upright is pivotally connected to each set of control arms, each upright having a rotatable hub for allowing one of the wheels to be mounted thereto. Two rocker arms are pivotally connected to the frame, and a control link is pivotally connected to each of the rocker arms, such that pivoting of one rocker arm causes corresponding pivoting of the other rocker arm. A link member operably connects each rocker arm to a corresponding upright, such that pivoting of each rocker arm causes corresponding movement of the uprights. An actuator is configured to selectively pivot the rocker arms, such that actuation of the actuator pivots the rocker arms, thereby causing the frame to rotate about a generally longitudinal roll center and causing each upright to rotate about a generally longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventor: Lawayne Matthies
  • Patent number: 7827882
    Abstract: A differential gear unit divides an input driving force into first and second outputs, and permits a difference between the first and second outputs. The differential gear unit includes a differential case serving as a casing that defines an internal space and an opening communicated with the internal space and that is rotatable in a given direction and an opposite direction. The differential case includes a flange portion as an input portion to which the driving force is input. The differential case is configured such that the fatigue life of the differential case when the driving force is repeatedly input in the flange portion in the direction R1 is longer than the fatigue life of the differential case when the driving force is repeatedly input in the flange portion in the opposite direction; R1 is the rotational direction in which the vehicle runs forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kohno, Yuji Yasuda
  • Publication number: 20100261569
    Abstract: A front differential for a four wheel drive vehicle, includes: a switching mechanism that switches the vehicle between rear-wheel drive and front- and rear-wheel drive by selectively interrupting or allowing the transmission of power between one of a pair of side gears and one of a pair of front wheels; and an urging mechanism that urges at least one of the pair of side gears in a drive shaft axial direction toward at least one of the front wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinichiro Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20100261596
    Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter proposes an apparatus (42) and a method for transferring energy and/or a substance from a non-rotating means of an apparatus to a rotating device (43)—or vice versa—through the intermediary of a suitable means (1, 1?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: MILTENYI BIOTEC GMBH
    Inventors: Winfried Schimmelpfennig, Holger Lantow, Juergen Schulz, Elmar Niklas Neuschaefer
  • Publication number: 20100255948
    Abstract: Means are provided for controlling axial end play of an axle shaft in a differential mechanism which includes an axle shaft and a pinion shaft spaced apart from the axle shaft along an axis of the axle shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Adam Hewins, Nicholas Arden
  • Publication number: 20100234160
    Abstract: A differential gear device includes a case that rotates around a rotation center line; a first protruding portion protruding from an inner surface of the case toward the rotation center line; a rotatable first gear provided around the first protruding portion; and a second gear including a ring-shaped base portion, and a connection portion formed on an inner peripheral surface of the base portion, and connected to an output shaft, wherein the second gear engages with the first gear. One end of the base portion, which is located in the case at a position inside an opposite end of the base portion in an axial direction of the output shaft, is located in a region that is located directly ahead of the first protruding portion in a direction in which the first protruding portion protrudes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichiro Ishikawa, Masato Kurosaki
  • Publication number: 20100227727
    Abstract: A differential gear device includes a case in which a housing portion is formed, and which rotates around a rotation center line; a first protruding portion that is located at a position away from the rotation center line, and protrudes from an inner surface of the case toward the rotation center line, wherein the first protruding portion tapers in a direction from the inner surface of the case toward the rotation center line; a first gear that is provided around the first protruding portion, and that is rotatable; a second gear that engages with the first gear, and that is connected with a first output shaft; and a third gear that engages with the first gear, and that is connected with a second output shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichiro Ishikawa, Masato Kurosaki
  • Patent number: 7780565
    Abstract: A differential device for differentially distributing a driving force to axles along an axis is disclosed. The differential device has a case being capable of rotation about the axis, which includes a flange configured to receive the driving force and a shaft crossing the case perpendicularly to the axis; an opening defined by a peripheral border on an outer periphery of the case so as to allow access into the case, lateral extremities of which is deviated from a center of the shaft toward a direction opposite to the flange along the axis; and a differential gear set housed in and drivingly coupled to the case, the differential gear set including an input gear rotatable around the shaft and output gears so combined with the input gear as to differentially distribute the driving force to the output gears, the output gears being drivingly coupled to the axles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: GKN Driveline Torque Technology KK
    Inventors: Masaaki Fusegi, Koji Ohtsuka
  • Patent number: 7775928
    Abstract: An axle assembly with an axle housing with a pair of bearing journals, a differential assembly disposed between the bearing journals, a pair of differential bearings and a pair of hollow adjusters that can be threaded into the bearing journals to preload the differential bearings and control gear lash between a pinion and a ring gear. Retaining members can be non-rotatably engage to the hollow adjusters and can be press-fit into counterbores in the outboard sides of the bearing journals. The axle housing can include an unitarily formed differential housing with a body and an axle tube structure, and a first axle tube that can be discretely formed and coupled to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick E. Zink
  • Publication number: 20100184552
    Abstract: A differential carrier assembly for use in an axle of a vehicle includes a differential carrier that extends along a central axis. The differential carrier defines a chamber. A first stub shaft extends along a first rotational axis, transverse to the central axis. The first stub shaft is disposed within the chamber and is supported by the differential carrier. A first pair of gears is disposed in spaced relationship on the first stub shaft for rotation about the first rotational axis. A second stub shaft extends along a second rotational axis, transverse to the central axis and the first rotational axis. The second stub shaft is disposed within the chamber and supported by the differential carrier. A second pair of gears is disposed in spaced relationship on the second stub shaft for rotation about the second rotational axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Zinovy Soybel, William J. Duncan, JR., Martin Hefter, Alvan J. Callahan, Richard F. Olenzek
  • Publication number: 20100151983
    Abstract: A differential case has a plurality of spaced apart recesses on an internal surface for receiving a plurality of side pinions within the recesses. The side pinions are driven by the case without a differential spider or differential pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: James F. Ziech, Steve Slesinski, Leo J. Wenstrup
  • Patent number: 7736257
    Abstract: Pinion gears are rotatably carried within pinion gear receiving openings formed in a differential case. The inner pinion gear holding surfaces of the receiving openings are enlarged inwardly to form extensions to hold not only portions of the pinion gears that are located outwardly and that are to be held, but also part of inner meshing portions of the pinion gears that are disposed in meshing engagement with side gears in an overlapping manner. This construction prevents a tilting of the pinion gears and improves the durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichiro Nakajima
  • Publication number: 20100130325
    Abstract: The invention relates to a differential of lightweight construction for motor vehicles having a differential housing made of two sheet metal shells, in which differential bevel gears (22, 23) are supported on carrier studs fixed to the housing and mesh with axle bevel gears (14, 20), and wherein a carrier shell (1) having a drive gear (29) attached to the exterior circumference thereof and a cover shell (18) are joined along a common joining plane to form the differential housing, one or more carrier each having at least one end mounted in and attached to holes in the housing, which are each formed half in the carrier shell (1) and the cover shell (18). Both sheet metal shells are encompassed by one or more circumferential rings adjacent to the connecting plane thereof for reinforcement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: SONA BLW PRAZISIONSSCHMIEDE GMBH
    Inventor: Peter Gutmann
  • Publication number: 20100130326
    Abstract: A vehicle differential assembly may include a differential housing rotatable about an axis, a first output assembly, a pinion gear, and a first coupling assembly. The first output assembly may include a first side gear and a first output member. The first side gear may be disposed within the differential housing and may be rotatable about the axis. The first output member may be coupled to the first side gear for rotation therewith. The first coupling assembly may be engaged with the first output assembly and may include a coupling mechanism and a biasing member. The coupling mechanism may extend through an opening in the first output member and may be displaceable relative to the differential housing in a direction generally parallel to the axis. The biasing member may be engaged with the coupling mechanism and may urge the first output assembly into frictional engagement with the differential housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventor: Frank Waksmundzki
  • Patent number: 7713158
    Abstract: A transfer box with a housing, an input shaft, a first output shaft extending coaxially relative to said input shaft, and a second output shaft extending parallel to said two shafts, as well as with a differential gear assembly arranged between said shafts, wherein the input shaft carries a cross member with a plurality of radial bearing arms for the differential gears, wherein a first side gear is connected in a rotationally fast way to the first output shaft and wherein a second side gear is rotatably supported on the input shaft and drives the second output shaft, wherein the differential gears are spur gears and the side gears crown gears and wherein the teeth of the differential gears engage the teeth of the side gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Theodor Gassmann, Heinzwilli Fuchs
  • Publication number: 20100113207
    Abstract: A differential assembly includes a retainer for a cross pin having a bore aligned with a bore formed in a differential housing. The cross pin retainer is positionable at partially-inserted and fully-inserted positions within the cross pin and differential bores. At a first rotational orientation, the cross pin retainer is positionable in its partially-inserted position to temporarily retain the cross pin within the differential housing. At a second rotational orientation, the cross pin retainer is positionable in its fully-inserted position to retain the cross pin within the differential housing. Features of the cross pin retainer cooperate with surfaces formed in the differential housing to allow the cross pin retainer to be fixedly positioned and secured within the differential housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2010
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventor: Daniel G. Corless
  • Patent number: 7695392
    Abstract: A differential assembly includes a first case portion, a second case portion secured to the first case portion, the first case portion and the second case portions enclosing a cavity and supported for rotation about a first axis, a spider pin located within and extending beyond the cavity at an axial position to engage the ring gear and secured to at least one of the first case portion and the second case portion for rotation therewith, and a ring gear secured to at least one of the first case portion and the second case portion, located radially outboard of the spider pins and at the axial position of the spider pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis W. Isken, II, James M. Story, Charles Krysztof, Robert J. Neal, Jason Savage, Gerald S. Szczepanski
  • Patent number: 7690449
    Abstract: A drive axle assembly is provided with a reduced part count and improved alignment. The assembly includes a drive axle housing with input and output shafts and an inter-axle differential that is driven by the input shaft. The inter-axle differential is drivingly coupled to the output shaft and divides power between first and second axles. The output shaft is a unitary member and defines a yoke at one end disposed outside of the drive axle housing and restrained against axial movement within the drive axle housing. A bearing set is disposed between the output shaft and the drive axle housing and includes first and second bearing cones and a unitary bearing cup. The bearing cup includes threads that engage corresponding threads in the drive axle housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Steve Slesinski, Leo Wenstrup, Gary Turner
  • Publication number: 20100062892
    Abstract: A differential provided with a drive wheel comprising two pairs of bevel gears disposed in a two-part housing, one of the pairs of bevel gears being a pair of axle bevel gears and the other pair of bevel gears being a pair of compensating bevel gears.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: Neumayer Tekfor Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Vogel, Volker Szentmihalyi, Matthias Derse
  • Publication number: 20100056320
    Abstract: A ring gear has a plurality of spaced apart recess on an internal surface for receiving a plurality of side pinions within the recesses. The side pinions are driven directly by the ring gear without a differential spider or differential pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventor: James F. Ziech