Input pinion shaft and method of manufacturing an input pinion shaft
OwnerBryan P. Prucherinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An input pinion shaft for a differential assembly. The input pinion shaft includes a discretely formed stem and a discretely formed gear. The stem includes an engagement surface. The gear includes a plurality of gear teeth and a mounting aperture that is sized to receive the stem such that the engagement surface and the contact surface are engaged to one another so as to facilitate transmission of rotary power therebetween. A coupling element, such as a weld, a key or a threaded fastener may also be employed to fix the stem and the gear to one another. A method for forming an input pinion shaft is also provided.
Claims28
An input pinion shaft for a differential assembly, the input pinion shaft comprising:
- a stem that is discretely formed from a first material, the stem including a shaft portion having an engagement surface;
- a gear that is discretely formed from a second material, the gear including a plurality of gear teeth and a mounting aperture that defines a contact surface, the mounting aperture being sized to receive the shaft portion such that the contact surface abuts the engagement surface;
- and
- coupling means for fixedly coupling the shaft portion and the gear, the coupling means including a first portion, wherein the engagement surface and the contact surface are engaged to one another, and a second portion, which inhibits relative movement between the engagement surface and the contact surface.
A method for manufacturing an input pinion shaft for a differential assembly, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a stem blank having a generally cylindrical exterior;
- roll forming the stem blank to provide a stem that is at least near net formed, the stem including a shaft portion;
- forming a gear from a second material, the gear including a plurality of gear teeth and a mounting aperture that is sized to receive the shaft portion;
- heat treating the gear;
- and
- assembling the stem and the gear such that the shaft portion is at least partially disposed in the mounting aperture and fixedly engaged to the gear.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.