Patent ID: 6425840
Filing Date: 2002-07-30
Classification: B60K,F16H

Abstract:
A differential gear for distributing torque between a first output shaft and a second output shaft in a vehicle, the output shafts being connectable to respective wheel shafts of a vehicle, the output shafts being eccentric to one another, the differential gear comprising:a rotatable input shaft; a forward differential wheel mounted for rotation on and about the input shaft; the second output shaft being coaxial with the input shaft; a rear differential wheel connected on the second output shaft for common rotation therewith; a drive pinion on and connectable for driving the first output shaft; the drive pinion being engaged with the forward differential wheel and the forward differential wheel driving the drive pinion and the first output shaft to rotate with the forward differential wheel; a differential lock selectively movable for coupling the common forward differential wheel for rotation with the input shaft for thereby rotating the drive pinion and the first output shaft and the differential lock being selectively movable for uncoupling the forward differential wheel for common rotation together with the input shaft; conical shaped differential pinions disposed on the input shaft to rotate along with the input shaft, the differential pinions being disposed between the rear and forward differential wheels, the differential pinions engaging the rear differential wheel and being oriented for rotating the rear differential wheel and also engaging the forward differential wheel and being oriented for rotating the forward differential wheel, the conical differential pinions applying axial parting forces which are transmitted to the input and output shafts, respectively, from the differential pinions; a housing around the differential pinions and the input and output shafts; a forward bearing forward of the forward differential wheel away from the differential pinions and a rear bearing rearward of the rear differential wheel away from the pinions, and the forward and rear bearings respectively transmitting the forwardly directed and the rearwardly directed axial parting forces caused by the differential pinions to the housing; the input shaft having an end situated axially adjacent to the rear differential wheel; an inner bearing supporting the end of the input shaft to the rear differential wheel, wherein the inner bearing provides axial force transmission between the input shaft and the rear differential wheel; wherein the input shaft has a rearward facing shoulder for engaging the inner bearing and the inner bearing, is arranged within the rear differential wheel, and the rear differential wheel has a forward facing shoulder against which the inner bearing abuts.