Patent ID: 6053838
Filing Date: 2000-04-25
Classification: F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
A differential assembly for interconnecting a pair of axle shafts which share a common rotary axis, said differential assembly comprising:a one-piece casing rotatable about the pair of axle shafts and including a drum segment defining an internal chamber and first and second axle openings formed through first and second end walls of said drum segment which communicates with said chamber and receive ends of the respective axle shafts, said casing further including a window aperture extending through said drum segment which communicates with said chamber, first and second sockets formed respectively in said first and second end walls between corresponding axle openings and said chamber, a first pinion pocket formed as a blind-bore having a first opening through said first end wall of said drum segment and which communicates with said chamber, and a second pinion pocket formed as a blind-bore having a second opening through said second end wall of said drum segment and which communicates with said chamber;a first side gear installed through said window aperture into said chamber and seated in said first socket, said first side gear adapted to be fixed for rotation with one of the axle shafts;a second side gear installed through said window aperture into said chamber and seated in said second socket, said second side gear adapted to be fixed for rotation with the other of the axle shafts;a first pinion having a first gear segment and a first post segment, said first pinion installed through said first opening into said first pinion pocket such that said first gear segment is meshed with said first side gear and said first post segment is displaced from said second side gear;a second pinion having a second gear segment and a second post segment, said second pinion installed through said second opening into said second pinion pocket such that said second gear segment is meshed with said second side gear and said first gear segment of said first pinion while said second post segment is displaced from said first side gear; andplugs installed in said first and second openings to enclose said first and second pinion pockets and retain said first and second pinions in said casing.