Patent ID: 7901318
Filing Date: 2011-03-08
Classification: F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A differential for an automotive driveline, the differential comprising: a differential housing defining an internal cavity, an axle bore and first and second pinion bores, the axle bore being disposed through the differential housing and intersecting the internal cavity, the axle bore being disposed about a rotational axis of the differential housing, the first and second pinion bores being perpendicular to one another and perpendicular to the rotational axis; first and second bevel side gears received in the internal cavity and disposed about the rotational axis; a first pinion shaft received in the first pinion bore and coupled to the differential housing; a first set of bevel pinions rotatably disposed on the first pinion shaft and meshingly engaged with the first and second bevel side gears; a second set of bevel pinions meshingly engaged with the first and second bevel side gears; and a retainer assembly received in the second pinion bore and supporting the second set of bevel pinions for rotation thereon, the retainer assembly including a collar, first and second pin portions and a plurality of pin members, the collar being an annular structure that is disposed about the rotational axis radially inwardly of the first and second sets of bevel pinions, the collar having a first set of collar apertures, a second set of collar apertures, a first pin member aperture, and a pair of second pin member apertures, the first pin member aperture being formed transverse to and intersecting the first set of collar apertures, the second pair of pin member apertures being spaced apart from one another and being formed transverse to and intersecting the second set of pin member apertures, the first pinion shaft being received through the first set of collar apertures, the first pin portion being received in a first side of the second pinion bore, a first one of the second set of bevel pinions and the second set of collar apertures, the second pin portion being received in a second side of the second pin bore, a second one of the second set of bevel pinions and the second set of collar apertures, the first pin member being received into the first pin member aperture and a hole formed in the first pinion shaft, the second pin members being received into respective ones of the second pin member apertures and respective holes formed in the first and second pin portions.