Differential gear assembly including at least one integrated constant velocity universal joint

A differential gear assembly comprising:

• a differential gear housing;
• differential gear means;
• at least one constant velocity universal joint integrated within said gear housing, said universal joint including an inner joint member, an outer joint member, ball means joining said inner and outer joint members in torque transmitting engagement and shaft journal means engaging said inner joint member;
• and means for engaging said outer joint member with said differential gear means;
• wherein said inner joint member, said ball means and said shaft journal means of said universal joint positioned inside said housing are provided with at least one sliding face, said one sliding face being supported by one of an inwardly directed support and an outwardly directed support, said inwardly directed support being located axially inwardly in said housing relative to said joint and said outwardly directed support being on a counter face designed independently of said outer joint member;
• wherein one of said inner joint member and said shaft journal means is supported in the direction of a center of said differential gear assembly axially on sliding faces of a ring member which is held in a differential carrier and which is independent of said outer joint member.