Carrier assembly for drive axle
US6705965B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 29, 2002 |
| Grant date | Mar 16, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 29, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16H2057/02095
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A carrier assembly for a drive axle includes an pinion and ring gear input that is operably coupled to a differential assembly. The differential assembly includes first and second case halves that attach to each other at an interface to define a case split line and a differential gear assembly supported by the first and second case halves with the gear assembly being operably coupled to drive a pair of laterally spaced wheels. The ring gear, first case half, and second case half are all connected together via a single bolted joint with the case split line being located behind the ring gear. The differential housing is supported on a pair of tapered roller bearings having a diverging apex configuration to reduce cup rotation. The pinion gear is solely supported by a pair of tapered roller bearings positioned on opposite sides of the ring gear. A two-piece pinion cage supports both pinion bearings and facilitates the setting of preload with the use of external shims.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.