Patent ID: 7946946
Filing Date: 2011-05-24
Classification: F16H

Abstract:
1. A preloaded thrust assembly installable into a differential system, the preloaded thrust assembly comprising: a first thrust member having an inner portion and an outer portion located on an outwardly facing side of the first thrust member, the inner portion extending between the outer portion and a central portion, the outer portion extending between the inner portion and a radial periphery of the first thrust member, the outer portion having a contact surface located proximate the radial periphery and configured to directly contact a first side gear of the differential system after installation of the preloaded thrust assembly into the differential system, the first thrust member further having at least one protruding portion located adjacent to at least one recessed portion located on an inwardly facing side of the first thrust member; a second thrust member having an inner portion and an outer portion located on an outwardly facing side of the second thrust member, the inner portion extending between the outer portion and a central portion, the outer portion extending between the inner portion and a radial periphery of the second thrust member, the outer portion having a contact surface located proximate the radial periphery and configured to directly contact a second side gear of the differential system after installation of the preloaded thrust assembly into the differential system, the second thrust member further having at least one protruding portion located adjacent to at least one recessed portion located on an inwardly facing side of the second thrust member, the protruding and recessed portions of the second thrust member arranged to complementarily cooperate with the protruding and recessed portions of the first thrust member to prevent rotation of the thrust members relative to one another; and at least one biasing device received between the inwardly facing sides of the first and second thrust members to bias the thrust members axially apart from one another after installation of the preloaded thrust assembly into the differential system.