# US 2009/0270218 A1 · Differential assembly with bearing discs in openings for mounting purposes > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2009/0270218 A1 - Document ID: US20090270218A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 11/915,559 - Filed: 2006-02-17 - Published: 2009-10-29 - Earliest claimed: 2005-05-24 - Assignees: GKN Driveline International GmbH - Inventors: Werner Krude; Ralf Leuschen; Michael Engelmann - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20090270218A1 ## CPC - F16H 48/10: with orbital spur gears - F16H 2048/102: {with spur gears engaging face gears} - F16H: GEARING ## Abstract The invention relates to a differential assembly in the form of a crown gear differential, more particularly for being used in the driveline of a motor vehicle. The differential assembly comprises a differential carrier (3) which is produced in one piece, which is rotatingly drivable around an axis of rotation A and which, in a casing portion (26), comprises two radial openings for mounting sideshaft gears (15, 16) and differential gears (14). Per opening (20), there is provided a bearing disc (19) which is inserted into said opening (20) and which comprises a central bore (30) in which there is held a journal end (28) of a bearing journal (27) for a differential gear (14). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A differential assembly for use in a crown gear differential within the driveline of a motor vehicle, comprising a differential carrier is produced in one piece, said differential carrier rotatingly drivable around an axis of rotation (A), said differential carrier including a casing portion comprising two radial openings for mounting sideshaft gears and differential gears; wherein, in the mounted condition, said sideshaft gears in said differential carrier are rotatably held on said axis of rotation (A) and wherein the said differential gears rotate jointly with said differential carrier around said axis of rotation (A) and meshingly engage the said sideshaft gears; and wherein per said radial opening, a bearing disc is inserted into said radial opening and a central bore is formed wherein a journal end of a bearing journal for a differential gear is held. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A differential assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: webs formed in the circumferential direction between said two radial openings, such that said differential carrier is free from through-apertures. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A differential assembly according to claim 1, said bearing discs, at least in the circumferential direction of said differential carrier, are held in a play-free way relative to the said differential carrier. ### Claim 4 A differential assembly according to wherein, at each of said radial openings, the said differential carrier comprises two supporting faces which are arranged opposite one another in the circumferential direction and with which said associated bearing disc is in contact in a play-free way in the mounted condition. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A differential assembly according to claim 4, wherein said two supporting faces are positioned on a plane which extends through a journal axis (B) and which is positioned perpendicularly relative to said longitudinal axis of rotation (A), or adjoins same. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A differential assembly according to claim 1, wherein said bearing discs are circular-disc-shaped. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A differential assembly according to claim 1, wherein said radial openings are formed by two areas overlapping one another, of which a first area circumscribes a circle and of which a second area is greater than a radial projection of said sideshaft gears. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A differential assembly according to claim 7, wherein said second area is provided in the shape of a slot extending in a circumferential direction. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A differential assembly according to claim 8, wherein said differential carrier comprises an integrally formed-on flange for the introduction of torque, wherein said slot, with reference to a cross-sectional plane comprising the journal axis (B), is arranged so as to be remote from said flange. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A differential assembly according to claim 1, wherein between said bearing disc and said radial opening, there is formed a gap extending over at least one partial circumferential portion of said bearing disc. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A differential assembly according to claim 1, wherein with reference to a longitudinal central plane, said radial openings are designed so as to be symmetric. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A differential assembly according to claim 1, wherein with reference to a cross-sectional plane formed by said bearing journal, said radial openings, are designed to be asymmetric. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A differential assembly according to claim 1, wherein said radial openings are shaped in such a way that a three-point contact or a four-point contact is formed between a circumferential face of said bearing disc and said differential carrier. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A differential assembly according to claim 1, wherein there are provided exactly two differential gears which are supported on the journal ends of said journal, wherein said journal ends are inserted into bores of opposed bearing discs and are axially fixed relative thereto. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A differential assembly according to claim 1, wherein in a central region, said journal comprises flattened portions which, for anti-rotation purposes, can be engaged by sideshafts which, can be drivingly connected to the said side-shaft gears. ### Claim 16 A differential assembly for use in the driveline of a motor vehicle comprising: a differential carrier produced in one piece and rotatably drivable around an axis of rotation (A), said differential carrier comprising a casing portion including two radial openings configured for mounting sideshaft gears and differential gears; wherein, when mounted, said sideshaft gears are rotatably held on said axis of rotation (A) and said differential gears rotate jointly with said differential carrier around said axis of rotation (A) and meshingly engage said sideshaft gears; wherein at said radial openings, a bearing disc is inserted, said bearing disc including a central bore wherein a journal end of a bearing journal for a differential gear is held; and wherein said bearing disc is held in a play-free way relative to said differential carrier at least in a circumferential direction. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A differential assembly according to claim 16, wherein there are provided exactly two differential gears which are supported on journal ends of said journal, wherein said journal ends are inserted into bores of opposed bearing discs and are axially fixed relative thereto. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) A differential assembly according to claim 16, wherein said radial openings are formed by two areas overlapping one another, of which a first area circumscribes a circle and of which a second area is greater than a radial projection of said sideshaft gears. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) A differential assembly according to claim 18, wherein said second area is provided in the shape of a slot extending in a circumferential direction. ### Claim 20 A differential assembly for use in the driveline of a motor vehicle comprising: a differential carrier produced in one piece and rotatably drivable around an axis of rotation (A), said differential carrier comprising a casing portion including two radial openings configured for mounting sideshaft gears and differential gears; wherein, when mounted, said sideshaft gears are rotatably held on said axis of rotation (A) and said differential gears rotate jointly with said differential carrier around said axis of rotation (A) and meshingly engage said sideshaft gears; wherein at said radial openings, a bearing disc is inserted, said bearing disc including a central bore wherein a journal end of a bearing journal for a differential gear is held; and wherein said second area is provided in the shape of a slot extending in a circumferential direction.