Patent ID: 7267629

Claim:
A differential gear comprising a differential gear housing ( 1 ) where axle bevel gears ( 6 ) are in operative connection with differential bevel gears ( 5 ), the axle bevel gears ( 6 ) being rotatably supported about an axis of rotation defined by two cylindrical extensions ( 2 ) of the differential gear housing ( 1 ), at least one of the axle bevel gears ( 6 ) is connectable with the differential gear housing ( 1 ) via a brake ( 7 ), the differential bevel gears ( 5 ) are supported in the differential gear housing ( 1 ) via at least one bolt ( 3 ), and the differential gear housing ( 1 ) generally having a first housing thickness; wherein the differential gear housing ( 1 ) is a one piece housing and has at least one aperture ( 8 ), located between the two cylindrical extensions ( 2 ), through which the differential bevel gears ( 5 ), the axle bevel gears ( 6 ) and the brake pass for mounting within the differential gear housing ( 1 ) and by way of which lubricant reaches the brake; the at least one aperture ( 8 ) being of a size sufficient to allow passage therethrough of at least the differential bevel gears ( 5 ), the axle bevel gears ( 6 ) and the brake ( 7 ) into an interior space of the differential gear housing ( 1 ) for mounting therein; and a perimeter edge of the at least one aperture ( 8 ) has a reinforced thickened wall which is thicker than the first housing thickness and an area of the differential gear housing ( 1 ), which supports the at least one bolt ( 3 ), has a reinforced thickened wall for supporting the at least one bolt ( 3 ) which is also thicker than the first housing thickness.