With Roller Bearing Between Gear And Its Support Patents (Class 475/246)
  • Patent number: 12215760
    Abstract: Systems are provided for a master drive unit. In one example, a system may include a master drive unit (MDU) comprising a hypoid pinion coupled to a hypoid gear, wherein the hypoid pinion comprises an end supported by a bearing arranged in a housing projection of a housing of the MDU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: DANA ITALIA S.R.L.
    Inventor: Rajesh Hambarde
  • Patent number: 12044298
    Abstract: A differential gear assembly, and method for assembling such an assembly are provided. The differential gear assembly comprises a housing constructed of substantially identically shaped and sized housing plates, which each have an outer flange of a same diameter. The assembly further comprises an outer helical ring gear that is fixed to the housing, wherein outer helical ring gear comprises an inner flange for mounting to the outer flange of the first or second housing plate, wherein an inner diameter of the inner flange is smaller than the outer diameter of the housing plates. The inner flange of the helical ring gear can thus be held, e.g. clamped, between the outer flanges of the housing plates. In an alternative embodiment, the outer flange of one of the housing plates is held between the inner flange of the ring gear and the outer flange of the other of the housing plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: VOLVO CAR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Rafal Kisielewicz
  • Patent number: 10974594
    Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly for a differential unit of a vehicle, the assembly comprising: —a first housing portion (20a) designed to be assembled with a second housing portion for forming a differential carrier housing; —a first and a second supporting devices (30, 301, 302), each comprising a main portion (33) having substantially the shape of a ring and a base portion (31) attached to the first housing portion (20a) so that the main portions (33) of the first and second supporting devices (30) are substantially coaxial along a longitudinal direction (X), the first and second supporting devices being configured to support, in use, a system comprising a crown wheel (22) and a differential housing (24) containing a differential, the system having two end portions each including a bearing which has an inner ring (51) mounted on the differential housing (24), an outer ring configured to be mounted in the main portion (33) of one of the supporting devices (30), and rolling elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas Barillot, Serge Vananty, Yann Depoorter, Chris Clezardin, Michael Joliet
  • Patent number: 10968999
    Abstract: A differential device for a 4-wheel-drive vehicle wherein a portion of a drive power source drive force transmitted to left and right main drive wheels is transmitted to left and right auxiliary drive wheels through a propeller shaft which is disconnectable from a power transmitting path between the main drive wheels and drive power source, the differential device distributes the drive force from the propeller shaft to the auxiliary drive wheels, and selectively connects and disconnects the propeller and an output shaft to and from each other, the output shaft. The differential device includes a side oil seal between the output shaft and a casing, a side bearing adjacent to the seal in an output shaft axial direction such that the output shaft is rotatably supported by the casing via the bearing, and an oil slinger axially adjacent to the bearing so the slinger is rotated with the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroshi Tamura
  • Patent number: 10962102
    Abstract: A supporting device to be secured in a housing of an axle unit includes a main portion in the shape of a ring having a longitudinal axis and forming a circular opening intended to receive an outer ring of a bearing which, in use, is mounted on a differential housing. The supporting device further includes a collector capable of collecting lubricant projected inside the housing by at least one rotating part, in use, the collector including an outlet port for allowing lubricant to flow towards the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas Barillot, Serge Vananty, Yann Depoorter, Chris Clezardin, Michael Joliet
  • Patent number: 10738668
    Abstract: An automotive driveline unit housing can be that of a power transfer unit (PTU), a final drive unit (FDU), or a rear drive unit (RDU). The automotive driveline unit housing has a lubricant feed passage spanning from an inlet to an outlet. The outlet can be situated near a seal of the automotive driveline unit, near a bearing of the unit, near both the seal and bearing, or near another component. The lubricant feed passage can have a flow restrictor located near its outlet. When the unit is in a connected state, lubricant is received in the lubricant feed passage via a spinning gear of the unit. The received lubricant trickles through the flow restrictor. And when the unit is in a disconnected state, lubricant continues to trickle through the flow restrictor, even though lubricant may no longer be received in the lubricant feed passage via the gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Walker, Eric J. LaMothe
  • Patent number: 10704664
    Abstract: In a differential gear device including: a differential casing rotatable about an axis and having a pair of through-holes; a pinion shaft accommodated within the differential casing and extending through the through-holes; a pair of pinion gears fitted on an outer circumferential surface of the pinion shaft such that the pinion gears are rotatable relative to the pinion shaft; a pair of side gears meshing with the pinion gears; and a pair of pinion washers interposed between the differential casing and the respective pinion gears, each of the pinion washers has a retainer structure partially inserted through a gap formed between an inner circumferential surface of a corresponding one of the through-holes and the outer circumferential surface of the pinion shaft. The retainer structure is held in contact with a corresponding axial end face of the pinion shaft, to prevent axial movements of the pinion shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yukitoshi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 10465784
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle differential includes a coil and a drive member movable between a first position and a second position. The drive member has an axis and includes a first body that is magnetically responsive, a second body formed at least partially from a second material that is not magnetically responsive and a third body that defines a radially inner surface of the drive member. The first body, second body and third body are coupled together with the third body being formed from a material having a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than the second body. The system may also include a lock member driven by the drive member to engage a gear of the differential in at least one position of the lock member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventor: Toshiaki Komatsu
  • Patent number: 10377177
    Abstract: An axle assembly includes an axle housing having a passage. An axle extends through the passage. A bearing supports the axle in the passage. An adaptive bearing preload adjustment system is mounted adjacent the bearing. The adaptive bearing preload adjustment system is selectively activatable to adaptively adjust a preload force on the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Chad R. Brizendine, Rodney J. Campbell
  • Patent number: 10352425
    Abstract: A vehicle driveline component with a differential case, a cross-pin, a differential gearset, and a retaining member. The differential case is rotatable about a first axis and has an annular wall member that defines a differential cavity. The cross-pin is received in a cross-pin aperture formed through a first side of the annular wall member. The cross-pin extends through the differential cavity along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. The differential gearset is received in the differential cavity and includes a pair of side gears, which are rotatable about the first axis, and a pair of pinion gears that are journally supported by the cross-pin and meshingly engaged with the side gears. The retaining member is welded to the annular wall member and limits movement of the cross-pin relative to the differential case along the second axis in a direction toward the retaining member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Robert C. Gorski, Douglas J. Chemelli, Cory J. Padfield, Toby V. Padfield
  • Patent number: 10117566
    Abstract: A driving force transmission mechanism for medical devices, includes a tubular portion including: an opening edge portion which allows a support portion of a drive shaft to be supported at an output end in a state where at least a part of the output end is accommodated in the tubular portion; and a first adjustment section which is configured to fix a gear train in a state where the drive shaft is inserted into the tubular portion and a distal portion of the drive shaft is arranged at a predetermined position where a driven portion is able to be driven and a state where a position of the output end of the gear train is adjusted relative to a position of the support portion of the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takafumi Kubo
  • Patent number: 10024418
    Abstract: A differential housing is configured to support a plurality of bearings. The differential housing includes a first bearing surrounding member provided to surround a first bearing included in the plurality of bearings. The differential housing includes a second bearing surrounding member provided to surround a second bearing included in the plurality of bearings; and a connecting member that connects the first bearing surrounding member and the second bearing surrounding member, at least a part of the connecting member being embedded in a wall that is made of a base material of the differential housing. Each of the first bearing surrounding member, the second bearing surrounding member, and the connecting member is constructed of a material having a smaller linear expansion coefficient than that of the base material of the differential housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Norihiro Mizoguchi
  • Patent number: 10012299
    Abstract: A limited slip differential system having a differential housing, a differential case disposed within the differential housing and a differential gear set supported within the differential case. A friction clutch assembly including a clutch pack is positioned within the differential case and axially adjacent the differential gear set. A ball and ramp assembly is positioned outside the differential case and includes a reaction member positioned within and fixed to the differential housing. A differential bearing is positioned axially between the reaction member and the differential housing and radially outward from the differential case. A singular thrust bearing is located within the differential housing and outside the differential case and applies an axial load from the actuator assembly to the clutch pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Cooper, Thomas L. Nahrwold
  • Patent number: 9797502
    Abstract: An axle assembly having a lubricant reservoir. A bearing cap may be disposed on first and second legs of a differential carrier. The first leg and the bearing cap may cooperate to define at least a portion of a lubricant reservoir. A lubricant passage may extend through the first leg to provide lubricant from the lubricant reservoir to a first roller bearing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Brian D. Hayes, Robert J. Martin
  • Patent number: 9074678
    Abstract: An axle assembly having an axle housing assembly that is configured to house an input pinion, a differential assembly and a ring gear. The axle housing assembly defines first and second lubricant galleries that provide lubricant to one or more bearings that support the input pinion relative to the axle housing assembly. The first lubricant gallery is configured to receive lubricant slung from the ring gear when the ring gear is rotated in a first rotational direction relative to the axle housing assembly. The second lubricant gallery is configured to receive lubricant slung from the input pinion when the ring gear is driven in a second, opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Marsh, Jr., Matthew T. Blakeman
  • Patent number: 9074677
    Abstract: A carrier assembly includes an adjustment member with a threaded attachment surface that is threadably attached to a mating threaded surface of a housing. The threaded attachment surface is formed on the adjustment member between first and second pilot surfaces, which allows the adjustment member to be selectively rotated to adjust a position of the adjustment member relative to the housing to set a desired carrier characteristic without requiring shims or spacers. The adjustment member also includes a splined outer surface that engages a splined lock member to lock the adjustment member to the housing once the desired carrier characteristic has been set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Robert J. Martin, III
  • Publication number: 20150038279
    Abstract: A bearing assembly and a related power transmitting component. The bearing assembly includes a first bearing, which is an angular contact bearing, and a second bearing, which is a tapered roller bearing. The first bearing has a first inner bearing race, a first outer bearing race and a plurality of spherical bearing balls disposed between the first inner bearing race and the first outer bearing race. The second bearing assembly has a second inner bearing race, a second outer bearing race and a plurality of tapered bearing rolls disposed between the second inner bearing race and the second outer bearing race. One of the first inner and first outer bearing races is fixedly coupled to one of the second inner and second outer bearing races for axial and rotational movement therewith. The first and second bearings are configured to handle thrust in a common axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Hilker, William G. Hunt, Gregory E. Woodside, Douglas J. Chemelli
  • Publication number: 20140309076
    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, and a planetary carrier which sits in the epicyclic gear housing, wherein the drive power applied to the epicyclic gear housing is divided by means of this differential gear, and the planetary carrier and the epicyclic gear housing can be coupled selectively by force fit via a coupling device. The differential gear has a brake device with a brake disk pack for the purpose of generating a coupling torque which couples the planetary carrier to the epicyclic gear housing, and an actuating mechanism for the purpose of generating an axial force which engages the brake device, wherein the bearing device has a first roller bearing with an outer bearing ring fixed to the gear housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ralph Schimpf, Thorsten Biermann, Franz Kurth
  • Publication number: 20140274544
    Abstract: An axle assembly having an input pinion with a pinion gear, which is received in an axle housing and rotatable about a first axis, and a pinion shaft. The pinion gear is meshed with a ring gear that is coupled to a differential assembly. A head bearing, which is disposed on a first axial end of the input pinion, supports the input pinion for rotation relative to the housing about the first axis. A tail bearing supports the input pinion for rotation relative to the housing about the first axis. The pinion gear is disposed axially between the tail bearing and the head bearing. A bearing groove is formed into the pinion shaft and the bearing elements are received into the bearing groove such that an inner bearing race of the tail bearing is unitarily and integrally formed with the pinion shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente
  • Publication number: 20140206492
    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 is supported axially with respect to the at least one driveshaft at a radial supporting surface.
    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: 20140206493
    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 is supported axially with respect to the at least one driveshaft at a radial supporting surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: Horst SIGL, Paul LENZ, Peter HASELBERGER, Rudolf NEUMÜLLER, Klaus ALESCH, ALexander ENDERL, Daniel DUDEK
  • Patent number: 8591373
    Abstract: A differential gear device for a vehicle capable of improving durability without causing vibration and noise is provided. At least a part of a supporting portion 68 of a pinion shaft 56 that supports a pinion gear 60 and at least a part of a fitting hole 66 of the pinion gear 60 into which the pinion shaft 56 is inserted respectively have tapered surfaces 70 and 72 each having a diameter decreasing toward an outer circumference of the supporting portion or the pinion gear. Driving force is transmitted from a differential case 50 to side gears 58l and 58r through the pinion shaft 56 and the pinion gear 60 rotatably supported. Here, the pinion gear 60 is moved outward in the axial direction of the pinion shaft 56 according to the engagement reaction force between the pinion gear 60 and the side gears 58l and 58r.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Daisuke Shibagaki
  • Publication number: 20120295753
    Abstract: A bearing preload adjuster assembly can include a first annular member defining a first outer wall having a threaded region and a first inner wall having a plurality of first ramped surfaces formed thereon. The first outer wall can threadably engage a corresponding threaded region of an axle assembly. A second annular member can define a second outer wall having a plurality of second ramped surfaces formed thereon and can be received in the first annular member such that the second outer wall faces the first inner wall. A biasing member can bias the second annular member in a first axial direction such that the plurality of second ramped surfaces are in selective meshed engagement with the plurality of first ramped surfaces. A retaining member can be coupled to the first inner wall and can retain the biasing member and second annular member within the first annular member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventor: Ryong-Uk Kwon
  • Patent number: 7998012
    Abstract: A torque transmitting component that includes a hollow adjuster that is employed to preload and/or position a bearing that supports a differential assembly relative to a housing. One of the housing and the adjuster includes a first engagement feature and the other one of the housing and the adjuster includes a second engagement feature. A retaining member is press-fit to the first engagement feature and is non-rotatably coupled to the second engagement feature to inhibit rotation of the adjuster relative to the housing. A method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick E. Zink
  • Patent number: 7931557
    Abstract: A method that includes positioning a differential assembly between a pair of journals in a differential housing, threading hollow adjusters into the journals, installing a retaining member over each of the hollow adjusters such that the retainer engages a non-circular feature on a respective one of the hollow adjusters, and pressing each of the retaining members into a counterbore formed on an assocated one of the journals such that the retaining members engage the differential housing in via an interference fit to inhibit relative rotation between the retaining members and the differential housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick E. Zink
  • 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
  • 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: 7604562
    Abstract: A drive axle for a light vehicle includes a chain drive and a differential, which comprises a differential cage (2) with a long neck (6, 7) at both sides, balance pinion gears (13) and two axle pinion gears (16), with the axle pinion gears (16) being journaled radially and axially in the differential cage (2). Proximal ends of axle shafts (21, 22) are plugged in the axle pinion gears (16) and at the distal ends of the necks (6, 7) in radial bearings (19) of the differential cage (2) and are supported further outwardly in a fixed bearing (33, 34) connected to the vehicle. The axle pinion gears (16) have conical parts (17) at their rear side remote from the balance pinion gears (13) and can cooperate with a conical inner wall of the differential cage (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Engineering Center Steyr GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Gumpoldsberger
  • Publication number: 20090131210
    Abstract: A differential gear unit for motor vehicles comprises a housing and, therein, a differential gear mechanism, two coaxial gear mechanisms and two controllable friction clutches, the coaxial gear mechanisms transmitting an additional torque to one or other axle shaft according to the degree of engagement of the friction clutches. In order for it also to be possible for very high forces to be absorbed in long-term operation with very low installation space and wear, the coaxial gear mechanisms have in each case one internal gear which is connected fixedly in terms of rotation to one side of the associated friction clutch, and one sun gear which is connected fixedly in terms of rotation to the respective output element, and the second element of each coaxial gear mechanism is a sun gear, and a third element is configured as an annular gear which has an external toothing system which meshes with the first element and an internal toothing system which meshes with the second element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: MAGNA STEYR FAHRZEUGTECHNIK AG & CO KG
    Inventor: Helmut Kassler
  • Patent number: 7520834
    Abstract: A multiple rear drive axle system for a vehicle includes a first axle coupled with a drive shaft from a transmission of the vehicle. The first axle includes a first cantilevered input pinion mechanically coupled with the drive shaft and with a first driven gear. The system also includes an output shaft mechanically coupled with the drive shaft. A second axle has a second cantilevered input pinion mechanically coupled with the output shaft of the first axle system and with a second driven gear. The first and second input pinions are common, that is, are substantially identical pinions. The first and second driven gears are also common, that is, are substantially identical gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Mack Trucks, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Duane Schnurr, Brian Eugene Gordon, Mark Allan Winders
  • Publication number: 20090088287
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drive assembly for being used in the axle drive of a motor vehicle between an axle differential and a sideshaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Adrian Chludek, Christian Gasch, Theodor Gassmann, Artur Grunwald
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7500934
    Abstract: A drive system comprises a one-piece differential carrier housing an input assembly, a power divider, a hollow pinion gear and a wheel differential. A through shaft is concentric with, but rotates independently of, the hollow pinion gear. The input assembly, the power divider and the pinion gear are rotatingly supported within the one-piece differential carrier by a maximum of three bearings. The bearing cage and the pinion gear are assembled through the rear of the one-piece differential carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventor: James F. Ziech
  • Patent number: 6893372
    Abstract: In order to improve a seizure resistance as well as restricting of a dispersion of a rotation torque, surface roughness of a large diameter side end face (4A) of a tapered roller (4) is defined as a value satisfying both the following conditional expressions (1) and (2). 0.04 ?m?Ra(r)?0.1 ?m??(1) 0.8?Ra(r)/Ra(c)?1.1??(2) where, Ra(r) is an arithmetic average of roughness in a radial direction on the large diameter side end face of the tapered roller, and Ra(c) is an arithmetic average of roughness in a peripheral direction on the large diameter side end face of the tapered roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Matsuyama, Akiyuki Suzuki, Yasunari Abo
  • Publication number: 20040259676
    Abstract: A differential having pinion bearings supported on the input yoke is provided. The differential includes a housing having an opening through which a pinion shaft extends. The input yoke is disposed about a portion of the pinion shaft and one or both pinion bearing sets are then disposed about the input yoke. This configuration reduces pinion standout and allows for installation of a pre-assembled bearing pack (i.e., without spacers or shims), but does not reduce the length of the splines on the input yoke or bearing capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Gary Turner, Leo Wenstrup, David Thompson
  • Patent number: 6813972
    Abstract: A differential housing assembly includes a differential housing having a differential case supported therein. The differential housing includes a first support structure and a second support structure. The differential case includes a pair of extending neck portions. The first support structure includes a pedestal and a bearing cap, wherein a first of the extending neck portions is received by the pedestal and the bearing cap is attached to the pedestal whereby the first extending neck portion is secured radially between the pedestal and the bearing cap. The second support structure includes a bearing bore having a snap ring groove and a snap ring, wherein a second of the neck portions is received within the bearing bore and the snap ring is positioned within the snap ring groove to provide axial support for the differential case within the differential housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Don F. Guo
  • Patent number: 6761237
    Abstract: A driveline assembly includes a shaft that is rotatably supported on a bearing assembly within a drive axle. The shaft has a first mount portion with a threaded exterior surface and a second mount portion with a splined exterior surface. A retaining ring is threaded onto the first mount portion to engage and retain the bearing assembly at a proper location. A yoke member with a splined inner bored is mounted on the shaft in engagement with the splined exterior surface. The yoke member can easily be connected and disconnected from the shaft without having to remove the retaining ring. The yoke member also includes a quick disconnect device that simplifies removal and re-assembly of the yoke member from the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald N. Brissette, Anthony Lentini, Chris Steele, John P. Remelius
  • Patent number: 6692398
    Abstract: A simplified differential assembly includes a single-piece open-ended hollow differential case and a free-floating differential gear mechanism mounted therewithin. The differential case is provided with a plurality of axial grooves formed on an inner peripheral surface of the differential case and extending between opposite open ends thereof. The differential gear mechanism includes a pinion shaft rotatably supporting a plurality of pinion gears in a free-floating manner, and adapted to drivingly engage the axial grooves of the differential case. The differential case is axially adjustably supported within an axle housing by means of two opposite mounting members. The mounting members are rotatably supporting the differential case at the opposite ends thereof through anti-friction roller bearings. The single-piece differential case may be used for differential assemblies in both open and limited slip configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Torque-Traction Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert William Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6569053
    Abstract: A drive axle assembly is provided that includes an axle housing having a cavity. A differential case is disposed within the cavity. The ring gear is supported on the differential case such as by fastening the ring gear to a flange extending from the differential case. A pinion cage eccentrically supports the driveshaft and pinion, which are rotatable about a first axis. The pinion cage may be used for different axle assemblies having different gear ratios. Moreover, the same differential case may be used for the different axle assemblies. The pinion cage is rotatable relative to the carrier housing between first and second positions in which the first axis is spaced from the ring gear first and second distances, respectively. In this manner, the pinion offset and gear mounting distance may be varied. The pinion cage is secured to the housing, preferably by fasteners, in one of the positions to accommodate a particular gearset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Wagner Yukio Hirao, I-Chao Chung
  • Patent number: 6544140
    Abstract: A pinion mounting with direct tapered roller bearing arrangement for differential gear mechanisms includes a first tapered roller bearing and a second tapered roller bearing to provide support for a pinion shaft, the pinion mounting and pinion shaft being removable from the differential gear mechanism without disassembly of other components of the differential gear mechanism. The first tapered roller bearing incorporates a continuous seal and o-ring, with the first tapered roller bearing either mounted to the differential gear mechanism case by retaining a mounting flange on the bearing cup, or threaded into the differential gear mechanism case by threads on the exterior of the bearing cup. A plurality of shims are used to set the bearing preload and to dimensionally set a pinion shaft gear with a ring gear of the differential gear mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: The Timken Company
    Inventors: Mircea Gradu, Harold E. Hill
  • Patent number: 6364803
    Abstract: An adjustable pinion offset in a differential axle assembly. The offset between a pinion gear and shaft relative to a ring gear in the differential axle assembly is adjustable due to an eccentric mounting of the pinion assembly relative to the differential housing containing the ring gear. The pinion shaft is eccentrically mounted within a bore of the differential housing such that a simple rotation of the pinion assembly about the eccentric pilot mounting adjusts the position of the pinion shaft with respect to the ring gear to adjust pinion offset. Once properly positioned, the pinion assembly is secured to the differential housing to maintain the desired position. This invention substantially reduces the noise associated with gear offset error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Spicer Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark C. Barnholt, Thomas L. Nahrwold, John E. Pressler, Edward E. Stuart, David J. Young
  • Patent number: 6318201
    Abstract: A motor vehicle differential bearing pre-load mechanism which provides for the simultaneous use of a collapsible spacer which plastically deforms and has a close to linear load to deflection band on one side of a motor vehicle differential assembly and a threaded adjuster on the other side of the motor vehicle differential assembly to axially pre-load the differential bearings in motor vehicle differential axles or on any shaft with bearings which requires an axial pre-load. Typically, the axial pre-load of the differential bearings decreases as wear of the differential bearings occurs when mechanical shims or a threaded adjuster without a collapsible spacer have been used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Jun Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 6068571
    Abstract: An adjustment collar for a positioning a ring gear to a differential case. The ring gear is splined to the differential case so as to allow axial displacement. The adjustment collar is threaded onto the differential case adjacent to the ring gear. The adjustment collar is rotated to axially position the adjustment collar, and consequently the ring gear relative to the differential case and axle assembly. The adjustment collar and ring gear are bolted to one another to prevent relative rotation there between. Because the ring gear is splined to the differential case, relative rotation between the ring gear and differential case, and consequently the adjustment collar and the differential case, is prevented. Because the ring gear and adjustment collar are locked to one another, the two components are thus prevented from both axial and rotational movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Earl James Irwin
  • Patent number: 6056664
    Abstract: A differential gear which can always obtain a stable differential limiting force even in low-speed rotation. A plurality of rollers are provided between a raceway surface integrally rotating with an input-side rotating body and a raceway surface integrally rotating with an output-side rotating body. A tilt angle of the axes of rolling of the rollers with respect to the axis of rotation of the raceway surfaces is made smaller than 20.degree., and a tilt angle of the axes of rolling of the rollers with respect to a plane including the axis of rotation of the raceway surfaces is made larger than 25.degree. and smaller than 90.degree.. Thereby, a stable frictional force can be produced between the rollers and the raceway surfaces, and a differential limiting force without producing a stick-slip even in low-speed rotation can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Inventor: Kenji Mimura
  • Patent number: 6027423
    Abstract: A differential assembly which includes a differential housing is disclosed. The differential assembly also includes a spider structure positioned within the differential housing. The spider structure has (i) a spider hub and (ii) a spider shaft which extends from the spider hub. The differential assembly further includes a pinion gear positioned around the spider shaft and a fastener secured to the spider shaft. The differential assembly also includes a bearing assembly which directly contacts the spider shaft, wherein the bearing assembly is (i) interposed between the pinion gear and the spider shaft and (ii) interposed between the fastener and the spider hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas W. Bell
  • Patent number: 5897453
    Abstract: The present invention provides a differential gear capable of constantly ensuring a stable differential motion restricting force even in the case of a low rotational speed. In the present invention, when there occurs a difference in rotational speed between output side rotary elements, rollers are allowed to roll while being in contact with the confronting faces of the input side and output side rotary elements. The rollers move along rotational trajectories of the output side rotary elements while being restricted by a holder element from rolling toward the direction inclined by a predetermined angle relative to the rotational trajectories of the output side rotary elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Inventor: Kenji Mimura
  • Patent number: 5711738
    Abstract: In a conical roller bearing for supporting a pinion shaft of a differential gear, the contact angle .alpha. of a conical roller bearing for supporting the pinion shaft is controlled between 22.degree. and 28.degree.; the ratio of the diameter Da of the conical roller at the larger-diameter end face to its length L is controlled between 0.51 and 1.0; and the roller number coefficient k is controlled to range from 1.16 to 1.32. The conical roller bearing constructed thus contributes to better fuel economy on automobiles by fully ensuring the necessary levels of fatigue strength and bearing rigidity and yet reducing the dynamic torque it develops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Abe, Takaaki Shiratani, Akira Ishimaru
  • Patent number: 5624345
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an axle differential bearing preloading apparatus and method of assembling an axle differential. The apparatus provides a substantially uniform differential bearing preload regardless of wear of the drive gears or bearing assemblies. The assembly of the differential case into the differential carrier is simplified, and subsequent adjustment of bearing preload is not necessary over the useful life of the axle. The vehicle axle differential includes a differential case mounted by axially spaced bearing assemblies. The bearing assemblies are mounted within bearing seats formed in the carrier housing, with one of the bearing seats also housing a load deflection member acting on the bearing assembly. The load deflection member maintains a substantially constant predetermined bearing preload upon wear of the drive gears or bearing assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: John T. Graft, Richard E. Cleveland
  • Patent number: 5533423
    Abstract: A differential housing is made up of many parts composed of deep-drawn readily shapable steel sheets. A conical bearing part jacket receives a differential pin and one differential gear. A cover inserted into an opening in the jacket bears an additional differential gear. The housing parts and a drive gear fastened thereto are all connected permanently with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Dr. Ing.h.c.F. Porsche AG
    Inventors: Heinz Stehle, Peter Hoebel
  • Patent number: 5509862
    Abstract: A differential gear assembly has a pair of face gears meshing with intermeshing input and idler gears respectively. The face gears are secured by threaded fasteners carrier assembly which houses a pair of pinion side gears rotatably mounted on a pin or shaft, and a pair of output side gears both meshing with each pinion side gear. The output gears are connected with output shaft members which extend outwardly through the carrier and a surrounding housing. The separating forces generated between the meshing gear pairs (i.e., input/face, idler/face and pinion side/pinion output gears) are absorbed by the carrier assembly. The housing structure enclosing the gear members and carrier assembly is free from the gear separating forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: James F. Sherman