SEALED DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY

Abstract: The "Sealed Differential Assembly" is a component relating transmission systems of automotive vehicles, specifically differential assemblies. Its denomination intends to establish a distinct identity when compared to the traditional similar component. They differ one from the other essencially because the new component is fit to operate on transmission systems whose final reduction is carried out by means of drive link chains instead of ring and pinion gears. This new differential assembly consists basically of an autonomous satellite gear case unit, structured so as to allow by using detached fastening bearings direct settlement on a vehicle's chassis.

Description: Patent's Descriptive Report on the Invention "Sealed Differential Assembly", The "Sealed Differential Assembly", subject of this Re_ port is a component related to power transmission systems of automotive vehicles, in particular to differential sets. Technical background on this area denotes, since long, the existence of a differential outfit, as yet considered un _ der public domain. Nevertheless, the said component, accord-- iig to its original concept „was destined to operate only, on transmission systems in which the final reduction is effect¬ ed through a set of pinion and ring wheels that interloc by direct mesh (tooth-on-tooth engaging). As it is known, a gearing set of such a kind is fit to work necessarily im¬ mersed in permanent lubrication. It should be pointed out, else, that on this system the pinion gear -which is a key part to the whole differential unit- enters the oil contain¬ er for lubrication purposej but, on account of being con¬ nected to a shaft, its admittance therein implies no upset , due to the fact that the shaft is an easy sealing part. How- ever, when the intention is to furnish with a differential • assembly a chain-driven transmission vehicle, then the inade_ quacy of employing the conventional component becomes evi¬ dent, beginning with the unfeasible sealing of a necessary ' aperture to be made on the lubricant reservoir, in order to allow the chain's transit. Notwithstanding, considerable is the number of vehi¬ cles featuring chain-driven transmission, namely, mini-cars, tricycles, scooters and the like (most of them powered by motorcycles mechanism) which, owing to failure of supply ' for adequate differential sets, are either being produced only for off-road traffic (one-piece rigid axle) or present ^ ing inneficacious attempts of solution,for instance,adapta¬ tions of the conventional component involving supplemental parts. The "Sealed Differential Assembly" -so denominated to distinguish it from the traditional similar component- was conceived and developped to supply this unattended demand, that is, or the special purpose of operating on systems in whose final reduction the interlocking of the respective ' gears (sprocket wheels) is achieved by means of drive link chains,the way it occurs to vehicles like the ones reffered to on the precedent paragraph. Upon availability of this " • new equipment, those vehicles will probably be made also for the urban traffic. To implement the new system, it wasn't necessary the search of a diverse mechanic outfit to replace the one used on the traditional equipment to perform the differential ef feet. Instead, the effort was led toward giving the tradi - tional component a suitable structure, arranged so ns to en able it to fulfill its new f nction,what, incidentally,made the set an integrant part of a specific brake system, out- come of the new differential arrangement. Selecting two basic points suscetible of change con¬ stituted a decisive step toward making effective the pre¬ sent invention: one - on a system in which the final reduc¬ tion work is carried out through a link chain,this piece,as well as the participant gears (sprocket wheels) do not re¬ quire permanent lubrication (which is an indispensable item on a conventional system) , the same regarding to fastening bearings, the parts that -together with the satellite case- complete a differential set; second - nothing prevents a sat_ ellite gear case from having the lubrication it needs ( oil immersion), irrespective of being detached from the lodging in which it is set on a traditional system, since,of course, its own housing -once mounted the inner parts- turns out to constitute a sealed container, leakage proof. Based on these considerations, a prototype of the in¬ vention "Sealed Differential Assembly" was planned and exe- cuted, and consists essentially of a satellite gea case structured specifically for drive-chain traction, what im¬ plies fulfillment of the requirements as above described, and being complete with two detached and adjustable fasten¬ ing bearings through which the assembly is attached direct ly to the vehicle's chassis. So, this component differs from the conventional sim¬ ilar one in the following aspects: a - on a conventional ' set, the satellite case housing is a continuous frame in lengthwise direction and has lateral openings to allow both lubrication and settlement of inner parts; in the new one, the housing is a case split into transverse sections (two) to permit the mounting of inner parts and the subsequent bolting of the sections one to the other to constitute a hermetic bulge, as the only hole existing in one of its walls -made to allow the oil access- is sealed by means of a removable screw stopper; b - on a conventional component, the satellite case's fastening bearings are held within the oil container,the housing of which involves the whole dif¬ ferential system; in the new one, same bearings constitute detached parts, shaped so as to be adjustable in accordance with the needs for direct fitting of the differential set on the vehicle's chassis; c_ in the new component there is an attrition reducer(non existent on the conventional equip¬ ment), which consists of a. spheroidal metallic piece work- . ing around the satellite gears* fastening half-pins and sit_ uated about their center; d_ - in the new component, be- sides the edge for the fixing of the ring gear, (a sprocket wheel), there is another edge for optional fixing of the brake disc or drum, because in this system, the brake can be applied directly on the differential housing. Aware of the fact that the whole of the items appear - ing on this report are widely acquainted in technical area,, (ignored as irrelevant to this effect the. structural modifi¬ cations pointed out at the preceding paragraph) , the appli - cants assumed as inappropriate the drawing parts detailing , defining,therefore, tliat the privilege claim should empha — size the system's invention aspect; and, in line with this thought, chose the alternative option of illustrating the present request by means of diagrams (sheets 9 to 12), which contain,in Pigs 1 and 1-A, and 2 and 2-A,. respectively, out¬ lines of one possible model of the conventional set; and those of one possible model of the new component, detailing, the said diagrams, only the items subject of change or con¬ stituent of addition or suppression. On igs. 1 and 1-A", the No.l represents the satellite case housing; the No.2,the ring gear; No.3, the satellite 'case's fastening bearings; the No.4 the differential assembly housing (lubricant reservoir) ; o. , fastening points for fixing of the differential on chassis; No.6, half axles; NS 7, fastening bearings of the satellite case; and No.8, the pinion. On Pigs.2 and 2-A,the No.l repre¬ sents section A of the satellite case's housing; No. 2, sec- tion B of the said housing; No.3 » the ring sprocket wheel; No.4, the edge for fixing of a brake disc or drum; the nfi.5 , fastening bearings of the satellite case; No. 6, the supports for the said bearings,including points for fixing of the set on chassis; No.7, attrition reducer; No.8,half axles ; and No.9,the drive-chain. The component can be executed in steel,aluminum, ny- Ion or any other material fulfilling resistance require¬ ments appropriated to the effort's needs and in its produc. tion work, may be employed the usual technics of its area.

Claims: C L A I M S 1 - SEALED DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY, characterized by compris - ing an autonomous and complete differential set consist¬ ing of no more than a satellite gear case and its removable fastening bearings, the two of said items performing a unit fit for direct settlement on a vehicle's chassis. 2 - SEALED DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY, according to claim 1,char¬ acterized by featuring a structure shaped in such a way as to allow •_i.ts direct application on vehicles in whose pow¬* er transmissions the final reduction is executed ~ by means* of drive link chains. 3 - SEALED DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY,according to claims 1 and 2, characterized by eaturing.an autonomous satellite gear case, meaning that it becomes sealed, leakage proof, subse¬ quently to the mounting of its inner parts. 4 - SEALED DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY,according to claims 1 , 2 and 3 , characterized by featuring a satellite ease *s housing split into transverse sections in coincidental ad¬ justment one to the other, so as to allow its sealing subse¬ quently to the inner parts' settlement. 5 - SEALED DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY,according to claims 1,2, 3 and 4, characterized by allowing brake application di¬ rectly on the differential, by means of a brake disc or drum attachable to the satellite case's outer wall * 6 - SEALED DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY,according to claims 1,2,3,4 and 5, characterized by introducing an attrition reducer, which consists of a spheroidal metallic piece, insetted* around the satellite gears fixing half-pins and situated about the center of the said gears *

Inventors: BENEVIDES OTACILIO, PIMENTA ALVES SEBASTIAO, BENEVIDES, OTACILIO, PIMENTA ALVES, SEBASTIAO
Applicants: BENEVIDES OTACILIO, SILVA PIMENTA A DA, BENEVIDES, OTACILIO, PIMENTA ALVES, SEBASTIAO
Application year: 1985
Main classification: F16H1
IPC codes: F16H48, F16H57