Patent ID: 8070641

Claim:
A differential gear assembly comprising: a first sun gear and a second sun gear spaced apart from each other and coaxially aligned with each other, the first sun gear including a first surface facing the second sun gear, the second sun gear including a second surface facing the first sun gear; and a preload member interposed between the first sun gear and the second sun gear, the preload member including a third surface facing the first sun gear and a fourth surface facing the second sun gear, wherein each of the first and third surfaces has a cam profile, wherein relative rotational movement of said first surface and said third surface causes axial movement of said first sun gear and said second sun gear, wherein the second and fourth surfaces can rotate relative to each other, wherein the second and fourth surfaces are substantially planar, and wherein a portion of said first surface forms a continuous curve and a portion of said third surface forms a continuous curve, and, in operation, said portion of said first surface slides along said portion of said third surface.