Bevel Gear Differential Patents (Class 475/230)
  • Publication number: 20100022345
    Abstract: A drive assembly and method of braking the assembly is disclosed. The assembly has a first clutch pack that selectively brakes a driven shaft. The braking torque is transmitted to a second clutch pack in a differential where it can be distributed equally or unequally between two axle half shafts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: HOWARD REASER, Michael F. Ryan, Benjamin D. Peverly
  • Patent number: 7648438
    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: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel G. Corless
  • Publication number: 20090305835
    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: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Sudorowski, Heather A. Moore, Joseph S. Balenda, II
  • Publication number: 20090280946
    Abstract: A differential casing 36 is composed of a first divided case portion 46 and a second divided case portion 48 separated at a plane passing through the rotary axis C2 as a boundary. The first divided case portion 46 and the second divided case portion 48 are mutually joined in a state in which the divided mating surfaces 46a and 48a thereof are mated with each other. Thereby, a fastening bolt in parallel with the rotary axis C2 is not required, so that an interference with the head portion of the fastening bolt, a side bearing 30, and the bearing portion 44 of a differential carrier 16 is avoided. In this manner, the rotary axis C2 direction size of the differential gear apparatus 10 can be made small, and moreover, no slackening occurs between the two parts constituting the differential casing 36. Further, since the first divided case portion 46 and the second divided case portion 48 are the parts having the same shape, the manufacture and the parts management are made easy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiki Matsuda, Hiroshi Fujito
  • Publication number: 20090270218
    Abstract: The invention relates to a differential assembly in the form of a crown gear differential, more particularly for being used in the driveline of a motor vehicle. The differential assembly comprises a differential carrier (3) which is produced in one piece, which is rotatingly drivable around an axis of rotation A and which, in a casing portion (26), comprises two radial openings for mounting sideshaft gears (15, 16) and differential gears (14). Per opening (20), there is provided a bearing disc (19) which is inserted into said opening (20) and which comprises a central bore (30) in which there is held a journal end (28) of a bearing journal (27) for a differential gear (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: Werner Krude, Ralf Leuschen, Michael Engelmann
  • Publication number: 20090258750
    Abstract: A differential assembly has a cross-pin connecting a ring gear to at least one section of a differential case half. The cross-pin may be secured in place by threading it into a part of the differential case or by a locking pin. Torque is transferred directly from the ring gear through the cross-pin to the differential side pinions or gears.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventor: James F. Ziech
  • Publication number: 20090235780
    Abstract: A transfer case for use in motor vehicles for transferring drive torque from a powertrain to first and second drivelines includes a first output shaft adapted to transmit drive torque from the powertrain to the first driveline. The second output shaft is adapted to transmit drive torque to a second driveline. The transfer case includes a first spiral bevel gear set driven by the first output shaft and a second spiral bevel gear set driven by the first spiral bevel gear set and driving the second output shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventor: Frederick E. Zink
  • Patent number: 7591751
    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: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Sudorowski, Heather A. Moore, Joseph S. Balenda, II
  • Patent number: 7588512
    Abstract: A drive axle for a light vehicle having a chain drive and a differential is provided, wherein the axle pinion gears (11, 12) are connected to their half-axles (6, 7) in one piece and to the vehicle via fixed bearings (8, 8?). One of the half-axles (6) is made as a tube which receives an inner shaft (13) in a journaled manner which is fixedly plugged in the other half-axle (7). The differential cage (22, 22?) is partly spherical and surrounds the balance pinion gears (20) and is fixedly connected to a chain sprocket (25). The differential cage comprises two symmetrical shells (22, 22?) between which the chain sprocket (25) is directly fastened to the balance pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Engineering Center Steyr GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Rudolf Glassner
  • Publication number: 20090227414
    Abstract: A differential assembly, in particular for motor vehicles, transmits the motion from an input shaft to a pair of reciprocally counterposed coaxial output shafts and is provided with a ring gear rotably fed in use by the input shaft about a rotation shaft; the assembly being further provided with a gear set transmitting the motion from the ring gear to the output shafts and having a satellite gear carrier pin, whose axis is orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the ring gear; a single leaf spring is abuttingly coupled to two satellite gears to automatically adjust the position of the satellite gears themselves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2006
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: ELASIS - Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventor: Paolo Di Micco
  • Patent number: 7582037
    Abstract: A differential assembly (11) for being rotatably supported around a longitudinal axis (A) and for being rotatingly driven inside a housing, comprising a differential carrier (12) which comprises a base (13) at its first end and an aperture (14) at its second end; two sideshaft gears (21, 23) arranged coaxially relative to the longitudinal axis (A), as well as a plurality of a differential gears (25, 26, 27) in the differential carrier, each engaging the two sideshaft gears; an outer bearing seat (15) at the first end of the differential carrier (12) for sliding on a first rolling contact bearing (16) and an inner bearing seat (17) at the second end of the differential carrier (12) for inserting a second rolling contact bearing (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International, GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Engelmann, Werner Krude, Heinzwilli Fuchs
  • Publication number: 20090215572
    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: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: TOPWAY MODEL RESEARCH CO.,LTD
    Inventor: Chun-Min YEH
  • Publication number: 20090215573
    Abstract: A differential case includes a first boss part into which a first drive shaft is inserted, and a second boss part into which a second drive shaft opposed to the first drive shaft is inserted. The differential case is composed of: a first case body extending from pinion-shaft assembling parts on which a pinion shaft is assembled, to a ring gear; a second case body having the first boss part; and a third case body having the third boss part. The first case body is integrally formed by forging. The second case body is integrally formed by forging. The third case body is integrally formed by forging. The first case body and the second case body are joined to each other by welding. The first case body and the third case body are joined to each other by welding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: MUSASHI SEIMITSU INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yosuke Segawa, Masaru Maeda, Naoya Nishimura
  • Publication number: 20090215574
    Abstract: The invention relates to a differential gear having a differential housing in which two conical compensating gears are rotatably supported about a first axis of rotation and two conical output gears meshing with the compensating gears are rotatably supported about a second axis of rotation oriented at right angles to the first axis of rotation, wherein a spring device is arranged between the differential housing and at least one of the output and/or compensating gears to load it with a spring force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: MAGNA POWERTRAIN AG & CO KG
    Inventors: Gunter WEBER, August KRIEBERNEGG
  • Publication number: 20090205226
    Abstract: A snow blower has an adaptive speed control, optionally an open carrier differential, which is optionally selectively lockable. The auger is preferably chain driven. The engine output shaft optionally has a first fixedly secured pulley and a second clutched pulley. The discharge chute can be guided in rotation by an idler wheel. The chute can be rotatably actuated by a cable assembly controlled by a rotatable handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: Wisconsin Engineering, CZ s.r.o.
    Inventors: Jaroslav J. Olmr, Richard M. Olmr
  • Publication number: 20090197728
    Abstract: A drive unit for a hybrid electric motor vehicle includes an engine, an electric motor/generator, a layshaft supporting a first coupler and a second coupler, a first drive path including the layshaft and the first coupler for driveably connecting and disconnecting the engine and the motor/generator, and a second drive path including the layshaft and the second coupler for driveably connecting and disconnecting the engine and an output of the drive unit, the first coupler and the second coupler being operative to connect concurrently the engine, the motor/generator and said output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventor: David A. Janson
  • Publication number: 20090192007
    Abstract: A casing structure for a torque transmission device is provided with a ring gear for receiving and transmitting torque with an external member so as to rotate around an axis and a casing rotating with the ring gear. The ring gear is provided with tapped holes. The casing is provided with a main casing having first through holes and a cover having second through holes. Bolts are respectively inserted through the first and second through holes and tightened in the tapped holes so that the casing is fixed to the ring gear. A diameter of the first throughholes differs from a diameter of the second throughholes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: Tochigi Fuji Sangyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Noriyuki Sudou
  • Patent number: 7563190
    Abstract: A differential carrier (11) for a differential drive, which differential carrier (11) is supported so as to be rotatable around its longitudinal axis (A) and which is rotatingly drivable, having two output gears (18, 19) supported in the differential carrier coaxially relative to the longitudinal axis (A), and having four differential gears which are rotatably supported on a cross member with four bearing arms extending radially relative to the longitudinal axis (A) and being held in the differential carrier (11) and said differential gears engage said output gears (18, 19), wherein two first cross member bearing arms positioned opposite one another are connected to one another and form at least one central transverse aperture (38) and that two second cross member bearing arms positioned opposite one another are produced separately from one another and, by means of their inner ends (28, 29) are inserted into the at least one transverse aperture (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Adrian Chludek, Horst Görlich
  • Patent number: 7559390
    Abstract: A drive train module with an electric motor, a clutch differential, a pair of wheel hubs and a pair of shafts, which rotatably couple the wheel hubs to the clutch differential. The clutch differential can have an input member, which can be coupled to an output shaft of the motor, and first and second overrunning clutches. The overrunning clutches permit the electric motor to drive the wheel hubs when the drive train module is activated to provide supplemental drive power, and to prevent the electric motor from being back-driven by the wheel hubs when supplemental drive power is not desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Marsh, Robert J. Degowske
  • Publication number: 20090137357
    Abstract: A method for making a differential gear casing (22) flow forms a first casing half (30) and forms a second casing half (32), both with hemispherical portions (34 and 52) and with radial flanges (36 and 56) with the latter also having an axial projection (58). An interior positioning surface (38) of the first casing half (30) and an exterior positioning surface (60) of the second casing half (32) position the casing halves with respect to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: TRANSFORM AUTOMOTIVE LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Meier, Brian M. Nosakowski
  • Publication number: 20090118054
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a differential apparatus for a vehicle and assembling method thereof obtaining a stable differential restricting torque and achieving high flexibility of setting a higher torque bias ratio TBR.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichiro NAKAJIMA
  • Publication number: 20090105031
    Abstract: A differential assembly and method of manufacturing such an assembly are provided. A method for manufacturing a differential assembly includes forming a first portion of a differential carrier; forming a second portion of the differential carrier; securing the first portion to the second portion to form the differential carrier; forming a differential housing; and securing the differential carrier to the differential housing to form a differential assembly. A sintering process may be used to form the first portion and second portion of the differential carrier, and the first and second portions may be secured together by a brazing process. The forming of the first and second portions of the differential carrier and the securing of the first and second portions to form a differential carrier may be achieved by a sinter-brazing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Michael Sefcik, Jeff Lubben, Robert Veldman
  • Publication number: 20090088285
    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: September 25, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Heather A. Moore, Joseph S. Balenda, II
  • Publication number: 20090088286
    Abstract: In a differential gear, a differential case includes: a first differential case on a side ranging from a pinion-shaft installation part on which a pinion shaft is installed, to a ring gear; and a second differential case on a side opposite to the side ranging from a pinion-shaft installation part on which the pinion shaft is installed, to the ring gear. The first differential case is integrally molded from only a low-carbon steel containing less than 0.45% of C, by forging or by forging and cutting. The second differential case is integrally molded from only a low-carbon steel containing less than 0.45% of C, by forging or by forging and cutting. The first differential case and the second differential case are bonded to each other by welding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: MUSASHI SEIMITSU INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki FUJITA, Akira Mataga
  • Publication number: 20090082162
    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: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventor: Frederick E. Zink
  • Publication number: 20090082161
    Abstract: A differential assembly includes a differential carrier (5) with a first carrier part (6) with a free first annular face (13) and a second carrier part (7) connectable to the first carrier part (6) and having a free second annular face (15), and a plurality of circumferentially distributed recesses (9) formed between the two carrier parts (6, 7); per carrier part (6, 7), a sideshaft gear (22, 23) is rotatably supported therein; and a supporting element (10) with journals (12) is held in the differential carrier (5). Each of the journals engages one of the recesses (9) of the differential carrier (5) and carries a differential gear (19) for driving the sideshaft gears (22, 23). The first and the second carrier part (7) are welded along a joining region formed between the two annular faces (13, 15) which is interrupted by the recesses (9) in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2004
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Werner Krude, Michael Engelmann, Boris Kracheninnikov
  • Publication number: 20090075777
    Abstract: A support structure for a differential assembly comprising: a support ring having a peripheral wall extending between a first face and a second face, the support ring having a non-hollow center; a bore in the peripheral wall sized and shaped to receive a pinion shaft; and an aperture in the first face, the second aperture in fluid communication with the first aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Zhipeng Han, Greg Sabourin, Robert Veldman, William F. Cockrum, Sanjay Sarnaik
  • Patent number: 7503867
    Abstract: An axle center for the forward axle in a vehicle having tandem drive axles includes a housing containing input, output and through shafts that rotate in the housing about a common axis on front, rear and through shaft antifriction bearings. The front and rear bearings, which support the input and output shafts, are mounted in opposition. The front bearing has an outer race provided with an external thread that engages an internal thread within the housing. That outer race is fitted with a locking ring provided with an inner flange that is engaged to turn the race and thereby bring the front and rear bearings into the correct adjustment. The locking ring also has an outer flange which is engaged with the housing once the front and rear bearings are correctly adjusted so as to maintain the correct adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: The Timken Company
    Inventors: Glenn R. Fahrni, Jr., Wayne D. Barnette
  • Publication number: 20090048055
    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: August 17, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventor: Daniel G. Corless
  • Patent number: 7485064
    Abstract: The present invention includes a differential housing and a method for forming the differential housing. The method includes the step of cold-working a first housing preform by one of a group consisting of spin-forming or flow-forming the inner surface of the preform into conformance with a contour of a first mandrel to form the differential housing. The method also includes the step of installing a differential mechanism subassembly including a plurality of gears and a pin in the differential housing. The method also includes the step of releasibly connecting a housing portion of the differential housing with one of a lid and a second gear assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Ronjo Company
    Inventors: Mike Rosochacki, Brian Nosakowski
  • Patent number: 7485065
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing a preload in a differential mechanism includes a housing formed with a first screw thread, a component located in the housing and for supported in revolution about a first axis on the housing by a bearing. A nut includes a second screw thread engaged with the first screw thread, recesses distributed about the first axis, and a preloaded surface that contacts the bearing with a force produced by applying torque tending to engage the first and second screw threads. A lock tab, secured against rotation relative to the nut, includes a surface that overlaps at least one of the recesses and by which the lock tab is secured to the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Todd J. Kearney
  • Patent number: 7479086
    Abstract: The present invention provides a differential housing having guide slots formed therein. The guide slots permit movement of pinion shaft axially therethrough. A plurality of apertures are provided in the housing for properly positioning a pinion shaft within the housing. The apertures further provide fluid communication between the exterior and the interior of the housing to aid in adequately lubricating the components within the differential housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Metaldyne Company
    Inventors: Robert Veldman, Zhipeng Han
  • Patent number: 7479087
    Abstract: The present invention provides a differential housing assembly having a pinion shaft positioned therein. The differential housing assembly is capable of imparting torque to at least a pair of axle shafts of, for example a vehicle. The pinion shaft has a relief portion for receiving a portion of at least one of the axle shafts. The relief portion is capable of compensating for offset between the centerline of the pinion shaft and a centerline of a vehicle. In an exemplary embodiment, the relief portion allows the axle shafts to have equal lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Metaldyne Company LLC
    Inventors: Robert Veldman, Jeffrey L. Lubben
  • Publication number: 20090017962
    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: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Dennis W. Isken, II, James M. Story, Charles Krysztof, Robert J. Neal, Jason Savage, Gerald S. Szczepanski
  • Patent number: 7470207
    Abstract: A differential assembly for a machine includes a ring gear, first and second differential side gears and a plurality of pinions configured to mesh with the first and second side gears, and mounted on at least one pinion support pin. An inner differential housing is rotatably supported by an outer differential housing, and includes a torque transmitting hub configured to couple the ring gear with the first and second side gears via at least two pinions. The hub including a plurality of radial spokes and an outer rim portion having pinion support pin bores therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Todd, Morris E. Taft, Jason E. Carter
  • Publication number: 20080312024
    Abstract: The invention relates to a differential assembly in the form of a crown gear differential, more particularly for being used in the driveline of a motor vehicle. The differential assembly comprises a differential carrier (103) which is rotatingly drivable around an axis of rotation A; two sideshaft gears (112, 113) having crown gear teeth, which are rotatably held in the differential carrier (103) on the axis of rotation A and each comprise a circumferential supporting face (125, 126); differential gears (111) with spur gear teeth, which rotate jointly with the differential carrier (103) around the axis of rotation A and which engage the teeth of the sideshaft gears (112, 113) and each comprise a circumferential contact face (127); wherein the differential gears (111) are supported by means of their contact faces (127) against the supporting faces (125, 126) of the sideshaft gears (112, 113) towards the axis or rotation A.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Werner Krude, Ralf Leuschen, Michael Engelmann
  • Patent number: 7465246
    Abstract: A drive axle assembly having at least one drive shaft tube and at least one substantially horizontal drive shaft located within the tube. The drive shaft is connected at an inboard end to a differential and an outboard end of the drive shaft has a first bevel gear. The first bevel gear is meshed with a second bevel gear within a shoulder structure. The second bevel gear is located on a non-horizontal drive shaft. A selectively closeable opening is provided in the shoulder structure for installing and maintaining the bevel gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth Okamuro
  • Patent number: 7465247
    Abstract: A differential gear device (1) for a vehicle axle, having a differential carrier (2) and a differential lid (5), which are connected to a crown wheel. The differential carrier (2) is connected to the differential lid (5) and crown wheel (6) by a radial weld seam (7, 7?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Alois Bock
  • Publication number: 20080280720
    Abstract: A power transmitting apparatus for performing switching between 2-wheel and 4-wheel drive modes and locking and unlocking of a differential by an operational shaft can comprise a reversible motor, a driving shaft rotationally driven by the motor and adapted to be engaged by the operational shaft for transmitting a rotational force therebetween, a sub case for containing the motor and the driving shaft therein and mounted on the main case, an opening formed in the sub case and having a size permitting the operational shaft to be inserted and an end face of the driving shaft for engaging an end face of the operational shaft to be exposed, and a first sealing means arranged on the inner circumferential surface of the opening at a position away from the driving shaft for sealing off the inside of the sub case with forming a seal between the inner circumferential surface of the opening and the outer circumferential surface of the operational shaft when the operational shaft is engaged with the driving shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA F.C.C.
    Inventors: Hideaki Ina, Naoyuki Miwa, Takayuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7448978
    Abstract: To brake a drive output shafts (5) of an electrically powered driving axle, the differential comprises a brake (6) which, when actuated, connects a differential cage (2) and the drive output shaft (5) with a flange (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Matthias Habel
  • Publication number: 20080261748
    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: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Christopher M. Sudorowski, Heather A. Moore, Joseph S. Balenda
  • Publication number: 20080227581
    Abstract: An axle assembly for a motor vehicle comprises an axle housing having a central axis and first and second openings formed through the axle housing opposite to each other, a carrier with a differential bearing support supporting a differential thereon for rotation about the central axis, and an abutment member attached to the axle housing adjacent to the first opening to extend substantially in a direction of the central axis. The carrier is fastened to the axle housing adjacent to the second opening therein. The abutment member engages the differential bearing support and absorbs a gear separating force imparted in operation by the differential and transmitted to the differential bearing support. Thus, the abutment member restrains deflection of the differential bearing support relative to the axle housing resulting from the gear separating force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Michael J. Catalano, James A. Krisher, Thomas L. Nahrwold
  • Publication number: 20080227583
    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: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichiro Nakajima, Hiroshi Takuno
  • Publication number: 20080220926
    Abstract: The differential for vehicles comprises a rotatable carcass (1) inside which are housed a pair of planetary gears (2) rotatably integral with the axle shafts of two of the wheels of the vehicle, and at least a pair of satellite gears (5) linked to each other and movable to each other, each of said satellite gears (5) being rotatably integral with one of said planetary gears (2), and it is characterised in that said satellite gears (5) are linked to each other by threaded cylinders (3) with inverted threads with the same pitch and diameter. It permits always the differentiation of rotation between the wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventor: Jose Gimenez Vidal
  • Publication number: 20080194373
    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: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Suzuki, Shinichiro Nakajima, Hiroshi Takuno
  • Publication number: 20080188343
    Abstract: A differential includes first and second case members that are attached to each other to define an inner cavity that receives a differential gear assembly. A first tapered roller bearing is associated with the first case member and a second tapered roller bearing is associated with the second case member. One of the first and second tapered roller bearings is inverted such that a defining taper diverges towards the differential gear assembly. The other of the first and second tapered roller bearings is non-inverted with a defining taper diverging in a direction that faces away from the differential gear assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventors: Jaw-Ping Pan, David Platner, Hussein Maher Kalaoui, Jack R. McKenzie
  • Patent number: 7396310
    Abstract: A differential assembly for driving a pair of axle shafts includes a drive gear located in a housing and having at least one pair of symmetrically disposed slots formed therein. A pair of differential bushings are located in the housing on opposite sides of the drive gear. A pair of differential carriers extend through the drive gear, each carrier having its end portions engaged to notches formed in the differential bushings. The differential carriers further include a center key engaging the slots in the drive gear, whereby the carriers and bushings rotate with the drive gear. The interaction of the bushings with the carriers retains the carriers in engagement with the drive gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Thomas J. Langenfeld
  • Patent number: 7374507
    Abstract: A differential assembly includes a housing defining a space containing a volume of hydraulic fluid, the housing including interior surfaces. A gear that rotates in the housing includes surfaces that pass through the fluid as the gear rotates and on which the fluid is carried to the interior surfaces of the housing. A bearing located in the housing is supplied with fluid from a fluid path that hydraulically connects the interior surfaces and the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Rex Randall Corless, Gerald Stephen Szczepanski, William Riley
  • Patent number: 7367914
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a differential housing and a method operable to form the differential housing. The method includes the step of disposing a member having an outer surface on a mandrel. The member in the exemplary embodiment of the invention is a ring that enhances the strength of the finished differential housing. The method also includes the step of cold-working a housing preform by flow-forming the inner surface of the housing preform into conformance with the mandrel and with the outer surface of the member after said disposing step. The member is disposed in situ as the housing preform is cold-worked to produce the finished differential housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Ronjo Company
    Inventors: Mike Rosochacki, Brian Nosakowski
  • Patent number: 7351178
    Abstract: A driving axle for a vehicle driven by an electric motor disposed on a driven motor shaft. Drive shafts are coupled to the motor shaft via the interposition of a reduction transmission stage and a following differential transmission. As part of the transmission stage an externally toothed sun pinion is disposed on the motor shaft, which is mounted in motor shaft bearings connected to a gearbox and absorbing radial and axial forces. A sleeve is disposed between, and supported on opposite sides against, the motor shaft bearings and sun pinion. A securing device is disposed on the free end of the motor shaft for fixing the sun pinion against the sleeve. Gears of the transmission stage mesh with the sun pinion, which together with the gears are embodied as helical gears having a force component acting in the direction of the motor shaft bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Ewald Speth Antriebstechnik
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Keuth