Axle assembly having a differential case adjustably secured to a housing
US6409626B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 29, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jun 25, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 29, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/19623
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An axle assembly employs a simple adjustable connection between the differential case and the housing to adjust the position of the ring gear relative to the pinion gear. A pair of adjustment collars facilitates positioning the differential case to selectively position the ring gear relative to the pinion gear of an input shaft. The adjustment collars threadingly engage the differential case. Bearings are disposed between the adjustment collars and the housing. The adjustment collars are rotated to position the differential case together with the ring gear. The adjustment collars are also provided to adjust the preload of the bearings. A locking collar is employed to lock the adjustment collars once the differential case and ring gear are properly positioned. In an alternate embodiment a single adjustment collar is employed. Shims and spacers are utilized to position the differential case and ring gear and the adjustment collar used to adjust the preload of the bearings.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.