# US 10,309,517 B1 · Transmission pump drive assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,309,517 B1 - Document ID: US10309517B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 15/899,429 - Filed: 2018-02-20 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2018-02-20 - Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Kenneth Leon Nowaczyk; Brian J. Deurloo; Brian Robert Black; Tammy Miller - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10309517B1 ## CPC - F16H 57/031: characterised by covers or lids for gearboxes - B60K 6/36: characterised by the transmission gearings - B60K 6/405: Housings - B60K 6/547: the transmission being a stepped gearing - F16H 57/0006: {Vibration-damping or noise reducing means specially adapted for gearings (devices for varying tension of belts, ropes or chains with damping means F16H7/0829; toothed members with construction providing vibration damping F16H55/14; reducing vibrations or noise of the gearbox casing F16H57/028; suppression of vibrations or noise of gear selectors F16H59/0208; control of hydrostatic fluid gearing preventing or reducing vibrations or noise F16H61/4183)} - F16H 57/028: characterised by means for reducing vibration or noise - F16H 57/029: characterised by means for sealing the gearboxes, e.g. to improve airtightness - F16H 57/0441: {Arrangements of pumps} - F16B 4/004: {Press fits, force fits, interference fits, i.e. fits without heat or chemical treatment (F16B4/002 takes precedence)} - F16C 19/26: with a single row of rollers - F16C 2226/12: by press-fit, e.g. plug-in - F16H 2057/02043: {for vehicle transmissions} - F16H: GEARING - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) - F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS ## Abstract An off-axis transmission pump is driven via an idler gear. To reduce the transmission of gear noise, the idler gear is supported by a plastic cover. The plastic cover includes a molded-in metal insert to harden the cover in the vicinity of the idler gear. The metal insert may include inner and outer sleeves which may be connected by radially extending arms. The plastic cover is located relative to a front cover by at least two locating features. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A transmission comprising: an idler gear configured to transmit power from an input shaft to a pump; a plastic cover including a molded-in metal insert; and a bearing having an inner race press-fit on the metal insert and an outer race press fit into the idler gear. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The transmission of claim 1 further comprising: a front support; and a bolt extending through the metal insert into the front support to fasten the plastic cover to the front support. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The transmission of claim 2 further comprising a seal surrounding the bolt between the front support and the plastic cover. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The transmission of claim 2 wherein the plastic cover defines at least two locating features that interface with corresponding features of the front support to locate the idler gear relative to the front support. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The transmission of claim 2 wherein the molded-in metal insert is a single piece. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The transmission of claim 2 wherein the molded-in metal insert comprises: an inner sleeve adjacent to the bolt; and an outer sleeve onto which the bearing inner race is press-fit. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The transmission of claim 6 wherein the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve are connected by a plurality of radial metal arms. ### Claim 8 A method of assembling a transmission comprising: providing a plastic cover having a molded-in metal insert; rotatably supporting an idler gear on the metal insert; positioning the plastic cover relative to a front support using locating features on the plastic cover and front support; and tightening a bolt through the metal insert into the front support. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 wherein rotatably supporting the idler gear on the metal insert comprises: press-fitting an inner bearing race onto the metal sleeve; and press-fitting an outer bearing race into the idler gear. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 wherein the front support includes a stator support and the method further comprises installing a pump drive gear over the stator support before positioning the plastic cover relative to the front support. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 further comprising installing a seal between the plastic cover and the front support. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 further comprising installing a mechanical pump assembly such that a pump driven gear fixed to the pump meshes with the idler gear. ### Claim 13 A transmission comprising: a front support defining an opening; a cover sealing the opening via a compliant seal; an idler gear configured to transmit power from an input shaft to a pump; and a bearing having an inner race supported against rotation on the cover and an outer race fixed to the idler gear. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The transmission of claim 13 further comprising a bolt extending through the cover into the front support to fasten the cover to the front support. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The transmission of claim 14 further comprising a seal surrounding the bolt between the front support and the cover. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The transmission of claim 13 wherein the cover defines at least two locating features that interface with corresponding features of the front support to locate the idler gear relative to the front support. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The transmission of claim 13 wherein the cover is a plastic cover including a molded-in insert. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The transmission of claim 17 wherein the molded-in insert is a single piece. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The transmission of claim 17 wherein the molded-in insert comprises: an inner sleeve adjacent to the bolt; and an outer sleeve onto which the bearing inner race is fixed. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The transmission of claim 19 wherein the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve are connected by a plurality of radial arms.