Patent ID: 7258043
Filing Date: 2007-08-21
Classification: F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A transmission unit having an input, an output and a housing, said housing comprising: at least one upper housing part and at least one lower housing part pivotably connected to one another; at least one of the upper and lower housing parts receiving and mounting power transmitting parts, said lower housing part including an oil sump; a pivot connection between the upper housing part and the lower housing part, the pivot connection being on a side of the housing in a connection plane and defining a pivot axis in said plane whereby the housing parts pivot relative to each other and remain connected; attachment elements on sides of the housing parts free from the pivot connection detachably fastening said housing parts together in a closed position; and a safety mechanism limiting the pivot angle of the housing parts about said axis to a limiting angle (β), said safety mechanism including at least one catch element pivotably mounted on one of the housing parts and a catch mounted on the other housing part; wherein the catch element is urged under a pretension force into alignment with the catch when the housing elements are in the closed position and engages the catch when the attachment elements release the housing parts and permit the housing parts to rotate to an open position to the limiting angle (β) to retain the housing parts at the limiting angle (β); said catch element selectively movable under force against the pretension force to disengage the catch and permit the housing parts to more fully open.