# US 2018/0023677 A1 · Cross-shaft for three pinion differential > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0023677 A1 - Document ID: US20180023677A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/723,678 - Filed: 2017-10-03 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2015-04-03 - Assignees: Eaton Corporation - Applicants: Eaton Corporation - Inventors: Ashish Wadhva - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180023677A1 ## CPC - F16H 48/08: comprising bevel gears - F16H 48/40: characterised by features of the rotating cases - F16H 48/38: Constructional details (the outer casing comprising the differential and supporting input and output shafts F16H57/037) - F16H 2048/085: {characterised by shafts or gear carriers for orbital gears} - F16H 2048/087: {characterised by the pinion gears, e.g. their type or arrangement} - F16H: GEARING ## Abstract A differential gear mechanism includes a differential case, a first and second side gear, a first, second and third pinion gear and a center block. The differential case can define a first, second and third counterbore formed therearound. The differential case rotates around an axis of rotation. Each cross-pin can have a cylindrical pin body that extends between first and second ends. The first, second and third pinion gears intermesh with the first and second side gears to form a torque transfer arrangement. The center block can have a cylindrical body that defines a first, second and third locating feature thereon. The center block can be disposed between the first and second side gears. Each first end of a respective cross-pin is received by a corresponding counterbore of the differential case. Each second end is received by a corresponding locating feature of the center block. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A differential gear mechanism comprising: a differential case defining first, second and third counterbores formed therearound, the differential case rotating around an axis of rotation; a first and a second side gear rotatably mounted within the differential case, the first and second side gears being co-axially aligned along the axis of rotation; a first, second and third pinion gear mounted between the first and second side gears, each of the first, second and third pinion gears being rotatably mounted on a respective cross-pin, each cross-pin having a cylindrical pin body that extends between first and second ends, the first, second and third pinion gears intermeshing with the first and second side gears to form a torque transfer arrangement configured for transferring torque between the pinion gears and the first and second side gears to rotate the first and second side gears about the axis of rotation; a center block having a cylindrical block body that defines a first, second and third locating feature thereon, the center block disposed between the first and second side gears; and wherein each first end of a respective cross-pin is received by a corresponding counterbore of the differential case and each second end is received by a corresponding locating feature of the center block. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The differential gear mechanism of claim 1 wherein the first, second and third locating feature comprises first, second and third slots formed into the cylindrical block body. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The differential gear mechanism of claim 2 wherein the respective slots each extend a length of the cylindrical block body. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The differential gear mechanism of claim 1 wherein the differential case further defines first, second and third holes coaxially arranged relative to the respective first, second and third counterbores. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The differential gear mechanism of claim 4 wherein each of the first, second and third holes extend through an outer surface of the differential case. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The differential gear mechanism of claim 1 wherein the torque transfer arrangement is configured for allowing the first and second side gears to rotate at different rotational speeds with respect to one another about the axis of rotation. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The differential gear mechanism of claim 1 wherein each cylindrical pin body has a spiral groove formed thereon. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The differential gear mechanism of claim 4 wherein the differential case further defines a first, a second and a third window positioned at a diametrically opposed location from a corresponding first, second and third hole in the differential case. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The differential gear mechanism of claim 1 wherein the locating features in the center block are each defined in part by opposing side walls that oppose the respective second ends of the cross-pins in a keyed relationship. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The differential gear mechanism of claim 1 wherein the center block is retained between the side gears. ### Claim 11 A differential gear mechanism comprising: a differential case defining first, second and third holes and corresponding first, second and third counterbores formed therearound, the differential case rotating around an axis of rotation; a first and a second side gear rotatably mounted within the differential case, the first and second side gears being co-axially aligned along the axis of rotation; a first, second and third pinion gear mounted between the first and second side gears, each of the first, second and third pinion gears being rotatably mounted on a respective cross-shaft, each cross-shaft having a cylindrical pin body that extends between first and second ends, the first, second and third pinion gears intermeshing with the first and second side gears to form a torque transfer arrangement configured for transferring torque between the pinion gears and the first and second side gears to rotate the first and second side gears about the axis of rotation, the torque transfer arrangement also being configured for allowing the first and second side gears to rotate at different rotational speeds with respect to one another about the axis of rotation; a center block having a cylindrical block body that defines a first, second and third slot thereon, the center block disposed between the first and second side gears; and wherein each first end of a respective cross-shaft is received by a corresponding counterbore of the differential case and each second end is received by a corresponding slot of the center block. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The differential gear mechanism of claim 11 wherein each cylindrical pin body has a spiral groove formed thereon. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The differential gear mechanism of claim 11 wherein the differential case further defines a first, a second and a third window positioned at a diametrically opposed location from a corresponding first, second and third hole in the differential case. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The differential gear mechanism of claim 13 wherein the first, second and third window are configured to allow tool access to the differential case during formation of the respective first, second and third counterbores. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The differential gear mechanism of claim 11 wherein the slots in the center block are each defined in part by opposing side walls that oppose the respective second ends of the cross-shafts. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The differential gear mechanism of claim 11 wherein the cross-shafts are keyed to the center block at the respective slots. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The differential gear mechanism of claim 11 wherein the center block is retained between the side gears. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The differential gear mechanism of claim 11 wherein the respective slots each extend a length of the cylindrical block body. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The differential gear mechanism of claim 11 wherein each of the first, second and third holes extend through an outer surface of the differential case. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The differential gear mechanism of claim 11 wherein each respective second end has a generally rectangular geometry.