Precisely aligned, friction welded spiral bevel or hypoid ring gear and differential case assembly
US10738869B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 9, 2018 |
| Grant date | Aug 11, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 4, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16H2048/385
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method for manufacturing a case-hardened ring gear/differential case assembly includes attaching a ring gear to a differential case. The case-hardened ring gear and the differential case are fabricated of materials each having differing properties of at least carbon content and melting temperature. The attaching includes placing a flange of the case-hardened ring gear in intimate contact with a flange of the differential case whereby a predetermined gap is defined between a remainder of the ring gear and a remainder of the differential case. The ring gear flange is attached to the differential case flange by a friction welding process. The predetermined gap defines an outflow channel that receives a carburized portion of the case-hardened ring gear as overflow material created by an upset forging step of the friction welding process. Differential assemblies and vehicles including such are described.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.