Patent ID: 7591751
Filing Date: 2009-09-22
Classification: F16H

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 at least one retainer, 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 and a second set of collar 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 retainer engaging at least one of the first and second pin portions at a location radially inward of the collar to limit movement of the first and second pin portions along a pinion axis about which the set of second bevel pinions rotate, wherein the retainer is pushed through holes that are formed in at least two of the first pin portion, the second pin portion and the first pinion shaft and wherein the holes are not formed in the collar.