US 4,438,663 AGranted

Planetary transmission gearing and output shaft retention means

AssigneeFord Motor Company

InventorsPeter Eichenberger, John H. Lodge

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Abstract

A planetary gear arrangement for an automatic power transmission mechanism in an automotive driveline having rearward traction wheels and a forward engine wherein axial loads developed on the gearing due to thrust forces resulting from displacement of the rear vehicle suspension while the vehicle is accelerating or when it is operated over a rough road bed are transmitted directly to the case as the torque transmitting elements of the gearing are isolated from these thrust forces, and wherein provision is made for preloading thrust bearings in the gearing to accommodate axial displacement of the torque output shaft with respect to the other torque transmission elements of the gearing when the suspension is deflected and the geometry of the driveshaft and suspension system changes while the vehicle is operating under torque.

Claims6

Dependent claims

In a planetary transmission for an automotive vehicle having aligned input and output shafts, a transmission case, said shafts being journalled within said case;

planetary gearing within said case adapted to provide plural torque delivery paths between said input shaft and said output shaft;
said output shaft having a splined connection with a torque output element of said planetary gearing;
a first thrust reaction bearing assembly formed on said output shaft contacting a reaction wall on said casing whereby inbound thrust forces on said output shaft are transmitted directly to said casing;
a second thrust reaction bearing assembly on said output shaft situated contacting another reaction wall on said case whereby outbound thrust forces on said output shaft are transmitted directly to said case;
and
spring means for cushioning the transfer of outbound thrust forces from said output shaft to said case through said second thrust reaction bearing assembly.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.