Patent ID: 6056663
Filing Date: 2000-05-02
Classification: F16H

Abstract:
A vehicular differential gear assembly for transferring rotational torque between a pinion gear rotatably driven by a driver member and a pair of substantially axially aligned spaced-apart rotary driven members that are respectively journaled for rotation, said assembly comprising;a pair of differential case halves rotatably mounted within a differential housing, wherein side gear teeth are integrally formed on each of said differential case halves, said differential case halves being formed with splines for matingly engaging said spaced-apart rotary driven members;a ring gear disposed between the case halves, said ring gear having an annular configuration defined between an inner periphery and an outer periphery thereof and having a central rotational axis in substantial perpendicular relationship to a pinion gear central rotational axis, said ring gear having a periphery thereof and engageable with the pinion gear teeth so as to enable the ring gear to be rotatably driven thereby;a pinion shaft mounted to rotate with said ring gear,at least one differential pinion gear mounted on said pinion shaft, each of said differential pinion gears having diametrically opposed teeth that simultaneously meshingly engage the side gear teeth integrally formed on said differential case halves;limited slip adjustment mechanism comprising at least one thrust surface interface providing a limited slip capability for said assembly, wherein said thrust surface interface limits a relative rotation of each of said spaced-apart rotary driven members.