Axle assembly with inboard axle shaft bearings that support a differential mechanism
US9254713B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 31, 2014 |
| Grant date | Feb 9, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 9, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16H2048/426
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An axle assembly having a housing, a ring gear received in the housing, a ring gear bearing, a pair of shafts, a differential mechanism and a pair of inboard bearings. The ring gear bearing contacts the housing and the ring gear to support the ring gear for rotation about an axis. The shafts are received in the housing and rotate about the axis. Each of the shafts has a bearing mount and a male splined segment. The differential mechanism has a pair of output members, each of which having a splined internal aperture into which the male splined segment of one of the shafts is slidably received. Each shaft bearing is disposed on the bearing mount of one of the axle shafts and supports the shafts for rotation on the housing. The differential mechanism is supported for rotation about the axis by the ring gear bearing and the inboard bearings.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.