Bearing arrangement for a vehicle differential

US7393141B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• THE TIMKEN COMPANY · US

Inventors

• Glenn R. Fahrni, Jr. · Dalton, US
• David L. Milam · East Peoria, US
• Michael Marcelli · White Lake, US
• Christopher S. Marks · Massillon, US
• Kofi P. Obeng · Canton, US
• Scott D. Russell · East Sparta, US
• Byron Roubanes · Stone Creek, US
• Gary A. Stoffer · Minerva, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 22, 2003
• Grant date: Jul 1, 2008
• Expiry date: May 26, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16H2048/405
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A vehicle differential includes a housing having bearing seats and a carrier provided with stub shafts which project into the bearing seats. The carrier is supported in the housing on two single row tapered roller bearings which allow the carrier to rotate, but confine it radially and axially. The housing also contains a beveled pinion which meshes with a beveled ring gear that is attached to the carrier. The two bearings are mounted in opposition and each includes a cup that is located in the bearing seat for that bearing, a cone that fits around the stub axle that projects into that bearing seat, and tapered rollers located between the cup and cone. Each bearing seat contains an internal thread and the bearing cup which fits into the seat has an external thread that engages the internal thread. Each cup also carries a locking ring which is engaged by an adjustment tool to turn the cup, but is later deformed into the housing to secure the cup against rotation. By rotating the cups in their bearing seats, one can adjust the setting of the bearings and the mesh setting of the pinion and ring gear.